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PRESIDENT
JULY 2016
PURPOSE
We are called by God to guide our students
to be their best.
MISSION
Cathedral, a premier Catholic high school in
the Holy Cross tradition, transforms a diverse
group of students spiritually, intellectually,
socially, emotionally, and physically to have
the competence to see and the courage to
act.
VISION
Cathedral will be the Catholic high school of
the future, providing the best possible
education for the individual student with a
firm foundation in Holy Cross values.
Cathedral High School has initiated a search
for its next President, who will assume
leadership in July 2016. The school seeks a
dynamic, experienced individual who is a
practicing Catholic, whose inspirational
leadership will ensure an excellent academic
program and who will promote the mission
and values of the school.
The new President will lead a community of
over 1200 families, 97 faculty members and
43 staff members. Students come from the
greater Indianapolis area, including Marion
County and its seven surrounding counties.
Students come from approximately 150
different elementary and middle schools.
The students and families represent a
mixture of racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.
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The Executive Team of the President consists of the
President, Executive Vice President and CFO,
Principal, Vice President for Enrollment Management,
Vice President for Constituent Relations, Vice
President for Mission Integration, Vice President for
Advancement, Vice President for Marketing and
Communications, Vice President for Facilities and the
Chief Information Officer.
The school is accredited by the State of Indiana, the
Independent Schools Association of the Central
States and the North Central Association.
THE SCHOOL--ITS HISTORY AND MISSION
CORE VALUES
As a Catholic school in the Holy
Cross tradition, Cathedral
embraces and fosters these gifts
from the Holy Spirit:
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Divine Providence
Excellence
Integrity
Family
Educating Hearts and Minds
Hope
Inclusiveness and Diversity
Option for the Poor
Zeal
PROFILE OF A CATHEDRAL
GRADUATE:
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A servant leader
A scholar
A role model
A citizen of the world
Sound in body and mind
Cathedral High School was founded in 1918 by
Bishop Joseph Chartrand as an all-boys school in
downtown Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Catholic
Diocese owned Cathedral but engaged the Brothers
of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame as the faculty. In
1927, the school relocated to a new school building to
accommodate a booming enrollment. In 1964, the
diocese turned over total control of the school to the
brothers and, until 1972, they ran Cathedral as a
private, independent Catholic school, receiving no
financial support from the diocese.
In October 1972, because of the shifting
demographics and decline in enrollment, the Brothers
of Holy Cross announced that they would close the
school at the end of that academic year. A group of
parents, alumni and friends of Cathedral stepped in by
forming a non-profit organization to take over the
school, forming the Cathedral Trustees, Inc. In 1976,
the school moved to the former site of Ladywood
School, which was an all-girls school that was being
closed by the Sisters of Providence. With that move,
the school became co-educational.
In recent years, the school has made substantial
improvements to their 39-acre campus: a major
renovation to some existing buildings to add modern
classrooms, the addition and continuous updates of
technology throughout the campus, a renovation of
the school chapel, the installation of an artificial turf
practice field for football, among others.
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Most recently, in 2011, Cathedral reaffiliated with the Brothers of the Holy
Cross, further defining Cathedral High
School and reaffirming its Catholic values.
The school’s core values are graces that
unite the school as a Catholic and faithfilled community and are represented in all
of Cathedral’s classes, activities and
athletic events.
Through these core values, the school
continues to develop students of strong
moral character as well as educating the
whole student with the goal of graduating
students who understand and are
committed to his/her own faith journey.
The uniqueness of Cathedral High School rests with her desire to provide a quality Catholic
and values-centered education to students of all abilities, with a rigorous academic program
that prepares all students for college.
ABOUT INDIANAPOLIS
Located in northeast Indianapolis, Cathedral High School enjoys the benefits of the city. The
vibrant downtown area hosts a diversified economy (Forbes lists Indianapolis at No. 22 for
Best Places for Businesses and Careers with education, health care, finance and
technology and thriving arts scene. Tourism is an important component of the local
economy and the city hosts numerous sporting events and conventions.
(http://www.forbes.com/places/in/indianapolis )
Indianapolis is a wonderful community in which to raise a family. Housing is affordable, the
people are friendly and willing to lend a helping hand, and there is a sense of “small-town
values.” There is also a rich history and culture with seven designated official Cultural
Districts -- Broad Ripple Village, the Canal and White River State Park, Fountain Square,
Indiana Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, Market East and the Wholesale District. These
areas have held historic and cultural importance to the city. In recent years they have been
revitalized and are becoming major centers for tourism, commerce, and residential living.
There are also great opportunities for outdoor activities. Both Forbes and Livability.com rank
Indianapolis among the best downtowns in the United States with many sports venues,
museums, art galleries and parks as well as many other attractions. (Wikipedia) Those who
make Indianapolis their home are truly proud of the city and there is a real sense of hope for
the future.
THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Many people at Cathedral High School spoke of the challenge of capturing in words the
heart and soul of the school. Cathedral is a welcoming community where both its Catholic
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identity and the Holy Cross tradition
are interwoven into the fabric that
makes it a special, inclusive place. It is
not just about the academics; more
importantly, it is about the holistic
approach to ensure that education is a
transformative experience—spiritually,
intellectually and emotionally. The
school is truly committed to diversity
and celebrates its “diversity in whom
we serve.” The school community of
faculty/staff, students, parents and
others is enthusiastic and supportive and is committed to its mission and vision. Everyone at
Cathedral understands that their educational success starts with relationships and the
school is clearly “a family” because all of the students are known, encouraged and loved.
Students feel welcomed as soon as they step foot on campus. They are provided numerous
opportunities in the classroom, the sports field, campus ministry, retreats, performing arts or
service trips, for personal growth. They love their teachers and forge strong connections
with them. The culture of the student body is one that emphasizes the importance of
community and support for one another, one that is imbued with “respect for each other.”
There is a strong sense of inclusivity and the desire to treat each other well. Pride in their
school and excitement about their peers’ successes are important to them.
The faculty and staff at Cathedral High School are highly valued by the administration,
parents and students. They are committed to the school’s core values and mission and
pride themselves on a strong sense of community. In addition, the teacher-student
relationships are critical and are
characterized by care and concern. The
faculty are dedicated to ensuring the
success of their students and
participate in all aspects of school life.
Parents speak to the strong community
feel of the school, that the school
“provides a place for all to connect.”
They know that students are challenged
to step up and to prepare for what is
coming to them once they leave
Cathedral. Parents appreciate the high
academic standards that are coupled
with strong support for each child, the
“incredible caring that goes on between
students and teachers.” They know that
Cathedral provides an exceptional
educational experience for their children
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but it is the life-long connections that students and
parents create that endure.
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Enrollment 2014-15:
Total 1293
(628 males, 665 females)
PROGRAM
Cathedral High School provides for a transformational
experience for its students by offering a strong academic
foundation, rooted in faith and spiritual formation, which
prepares students for a world which expects much of
them.
The school provides a college-preparatory curriculum,
with 11 academic departments offering more than 200
courses. Academic, Honors and Advanced Placement
classes as well as honors-level independent study
classes are included in the full program. In addition, the
school is an International Baccalaureate World School
and students can enroll in the full Diploma Programme as
well as receive IB certificates in specific subjects. In
addition, students can achieve dual enrollment credit
through local universities.
Grade 9:
Grade 10:
Grade 11:
Grade 12:
342
314
338
299
Percentage of students who
are Catholic: 73%
Percentage of students of
color: 21%
Administration: 18
Full-time Faculty: 89
Part-time Faculty: 8
Full-time Staff: 39
Part-time Staff: 4
Average class size: 19
The acclaimed Language Support Program offers classes
for students with language-based learning differences.
Courses are taught at the academic level of instruction
with exceptional accommodations. All Language Support
Program students enroll in IB English during their junior
and senior years.
This year, the school introduced Cathedral 360, a
comprehensive program to create a personalized
educational experience for each student. Starting
with the Freshman class in the fall of 2014,
academic schedules are planned which take into
consideration all aspects of the student: academic,
personal and spiritual preparedness, motivation and
vision for his/her future. Cathedral 360 integrates all
aspects of the school’s unique approach to
individual students and makes it more intentional,
preparing them even more thoroughly for college
and career. This is a key differentiator from other
private, religious and public schools.
Faith formation is an integral part of the Cathedral
student’s experience and the school believes in
“meeting each individual student wherever they are
Tuition for 2014-15: $12,850
Student activity fee: $350
Percentage of families on
Financial Aid: approx. 40%
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in their spiritual journey.” All students are
required to take eight semesters of
theology for graduation. The courses are
aligned with the curriculum for secondary
education of the US Conference of
Catholic Bishops. Each grade level has
yearly retreats and students attend
monthly all-school masses. In addition,
daily mass is offered for the school
community.
Athletics plays a vital role in the school
life of the Cathedral student--the sports
programs supplement the academic
programs by teaching life lessons,
perseverance and development of the
whole student. Virtually all students take
part in at least one athletic activity.
Cathedral offers a full complement of
sports that have earned 45 state
championships in IHSAA and Club
Sports over the last 15 years.
Fine Arts are a valued component of a
student’s total educational experience:
the theatre program offers an array of
opportunities for students to perform as
well as to gain experience and expertise
behind the scenes; music offerings
include a variety of band, orchestra and
vocal options; and visual arts span from
beginning levels to Advanced Placement.
All constituent groups agree that the Fine
Arts department is one of the top overall
academic departments in the school.
The school has over 120 club and activity
options from which to choose. Several
clubs are service oriented (Best Buddies,
Green Team, Guardian Angel), others
are for entertainment or social purposes
(Battle of the Books, Chess Club, Dance
Team) and academics (Brain Game,
robotics, language clubs). The clubs and
activities enhance team-building and
leadership opportunities and often spark
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new interests for students.
Looking ahead, the current administration has begun the strategic process of envisioning
the future of education for Cathedral. The principal and a “Grand Visioning” team are
researching and evaluating current research on pedagogy and learning, technology,
distance learning, as well as collaborative relationships, to name but a few, to define the
future of a Cathedral High School education.
FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT:
The school is financially stable and has an overall annual budget of approximately $19
million. Tuition, which comprises the majority of the school’s revenue, is set at $12,850 for
the 2014-15 academic year. Financial Aid and scholarships totaled approximately $2.5
million for the 2014-15 school year.
The Finance Committee of the Board, the President and the Executive VP of Finance and
CFO monitor the finances carefully and support the school’s efforts to maintain excellence
while controlling costs. The school utilizes a Strategic Financial Plan in which the Board of
Directors seeks to have 95% of expenses covered by billed tuition and fees (hard income).
Currently, 92.8% of expenses are covered by hard income.
Total giving to the Annual Fund and Annual Fundraising for 2014-15 is expected to be
approximately $2.5 million. The endowment is approximately $8 million.
GOVERNANCE
The Cathedral Board, presently consisting of 25 members, is comprised primarily of
representatives of the alumni, as well as Holy Cross Brothers, current parents and
supporters of Cathedral. The Directors are strategic thinkers who have shown a tremendous
dedication to the Cathedral mission, core values and the continued growth and development
of the school. Simply put, they want Cathedral to be known as the “great American Catholic
High School.”
Cathedral has a long history and a strong commitment to comprehensive strategic planning.
The school’s planning has always been grounded in the school’s mission, vision and core
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values. The current Strategic Plan goes through to 2016 and the Board is seeking to work
with the new President on the development of a comprehensive strategic plan in context of
the school’s 100-year anniversary.
The Directors recognize the critical importance of finding the right President to lead the
school into its next phase of academic and fund development. They have been diligent in
preparing to conduct a thorough, effective search for the next President for Cathedral High
School.
OBJECTIVES FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
The President oversees all aspects of school operation. He/she will preserve and advance
the school’s exceptional educational program; guide its dedicated faculty and staff; value
and articulate the school’s special qualities of a diverse and caring community to the
broader community; maintain and model its Catholic ethos, mission and Holy Cross
tradition; and lead the school in the development of its key strategic priorities.
Catholic/Holy Cross Identity: Cathedral High School is an independent Catholic school in
the Holy Cross tradition. The school has recently re-affiliated itself with the Brothers of the
Holy Cross. (2011). The next President, who will be entrusted to carry on the mission,
tradition and charism of the Brothers of the Holy Cross, must ensure that the Holy Cross
identity remains an integral part of the school. The challenge is to maintain these core
values yet ensure that it provides an education that is meaningful and relevant in today’s
world. The next President must embrace, promote and ensure that both the school’s
Catholic identity and its Holy Cross tradition shapes all that is done at Cathedral.
Strategic Planning: Cathedral has benefitted tremendously from quality planning and its
commitment to excellence at all levels to ensure that the school has been able to deal with
various challenges it has experienced throughout its history. Nevertheless, as it begins a
new chapter in its history and as it approaches its 100-year anniversary, it is an opportune
time for the new President to work in strong collaboration with the Board to develop an
integrated strategic plan that clearly articulates the vision for the future of Cathedral.
Faculty: Cathedral High School has a committed, dedicated, professional faculty. The
President must continue to effectively galvanize and appropriately mobilize this talent to
carry out the mission of the school. As a leader, the new President works closely with the
Principal, Administration and faculty/staff to support and facilitate their commitment to
academic excellence. It is critical that the new President is attentive to attracting new faculty
who will fully embrace, model and live out the core values of Cathedral High School to
ensure that the distinctive characteristics of the school’s culture are maintained.
Academic Excellence: Cathedral High School is committed to serving a broad range of
students while ensuring that each is challenged and achieving to the highest level they are
capable. As the educational leader, the President will lead faculty in effective discussion and
articulation of the pedagogical vision for the school, particularly in the context of Cathedral’s
mission for education and the nature of today’s students. Specifically, she/he will work
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collaboratively with the Principal, the administrative team and faculty through professional
development and evaluation programs to ensure that, given the challenges facing schools
today both globally and locally, the curriculum remains competitive and relevant, while
honoring the culture, legacy and history of the school. Additionally, the President will
develop appropriate systems and structures to ensure the effective implementation of the
programmatic objectives and to serve the needs of all students. The overarching goal of this
work with administration and faculty is to maintain a culture of excellence.
Enrollment Management: The school celebrates a diverse population--academic, socioeconomic, religious and geographic--and strives to maintain that distinctiveness. Given the
changing demographics and the competitive landscape in the greater Indianapolis area in
terms of public, independent and other Catholic schools, attention must be paid to ensure
that the school maintains its position in the local marketplace. To that end, the President will
be actively involved in a comprehensive marketing and outreach program that articulates
the value proposition of the school, its Catholic identity and outstanding program.
Financial resources: Cathedral High School has a stable operating budget. Given its
commitment to keeping the school affordable, the President will need to continue to provide
leadership in the areas of development, fundraising and alumni relations. The President will
work with the Board to develop the necessary resources to support quality programs, faculty
compensation and capital needs. The President will lead a capital campaign that is currently
in the planning phase to celebrate the school’s 100-year anniversary, which will be an ideal
opportunity to connect with alumni and community donors.
Community Relations: The President will be responsible for enhancing meaningful
relationships both internally and externally with all constituents (e.g. alums, pastors, donors,
etc.). The President must articulate the distinctive value of the school, its Catholic identity,
the outstanding academic and extra-curricular programs and the wonderful community, all
of which are the hallmarks of Cathedral High School.
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
The Board of Directors and the school
community are interested in all
candidates who can embrace, articulate
and promote Cathedral High School’s
vision of academic excellence dedicated
to faith, scholarship and service. The
President is a visionary Catholic leader
and a team-builder with a proven track
record. The successful candidate is an
energizing and inspirational leader, who
can delegate effectively while ensuring
accountability. The candidates should
have most, if not all of the following
qualities:
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A practicing Catholic with an understanding of the charism in the Holy Cross tradition
as well as a demonstrated understanding of the Catholic faith and theology.
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An ability to articulate the school’s educational philosophy to inspire and motivate all
constituencies.
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A knowledge and understanding of an effective institutional advancement program,
which includes fundraising and broader community involvement. The successful
candidate must be comfortable asking for financial support and must have a
commitment to developing a culture of philanthropy.
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A strategic thinker with a proven track record in developing and implementing
strategic plans.
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A willingness to work closely and comfortably with the administrative team, faculty
and staff to build a true partnership for the school.
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An understanding of organizational dynamics and systems to ensure strong
collaboration among senior administration. In particular, the President must have an
understanding of what constitutes an effective President-Principal model.
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An academic visionary with proven experience in enhancing strong academic and
faith formation programs.
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The ability to work closely and comfortably with the Board of Directors in building a
true partnership in governance and leadership.
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A commitment to diversity, multiculturalism and globalism. Have the desire and skill
to work with a diverse community in a meaningful and genuine manner
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The desire to be present, visible and engaged with all Cathedral constituents. Also,
provide for effective, clear communications with administration, faculty members,
parents, students, community members and the Board so that these groups are
appropriately informed of potential issues and needs.
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Comfortable with being visible and making connections with the greater Indianapolis
community to enhance the school’s image and reputation to attract students from
local communities as well as to increase the level of financial support.
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An understanding of the fundamentals of business and the economics of running a
school.
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Embrace the use of technology to enhance the academic development of the 21st
century scholar.
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A commitment to collaboration and transparency that genuinely invites and respects
the perspectives and views of others, yet is decisive when required.
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A graduate degree.
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Cathedral High School is seeking a practicing Catholic and who is willing to immerse
himself/herself into the life of the school. The successful candidate is insightful, confident
yet humble. Also, this individual is deeply spiritual and grounded in his/her own faith;
possesses strong personal values and integrity, and who will enjoy guiding the school’s
community.
The school’s leader will be personable, have strong emotional intelligence, is down-to-earth,
calm under pressure and possess a forward-thinking view. This individual will have a true
love of the school’s culture and educating young people. This leader will encourage
administration, faculty and staff in a positive way. The President will be an individual who is
genuine, appreciates traditions and challenges us to see our potential in new ways.
SEARCH PROCESS
Cathedral High School has engaged the national executive search firm, Educational
Directions, Incorporated, to assist with the search. The Search Committee plans to
complete the search in the Fall of 2015.
Candidates should submit all information as soon as possible, but not before first
speaking with one of the Search Consultants:
Mathew Heersche, Ed.D. [email protected]
Risa Oganesoff Heersche [email protected]
Electronic submission of materials is required. Please send materials in a consolidated
pdf format. Reference letters should be submitted separately.
Candidates should submit the following documents.
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Cover letter explaining their interest and qualifications for the Presidency at Cathedral
High School
Brief personal statement that includes the candidate’s thoughts on leading Cathedral
High School
Current resume
Names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of five references
Two written letters of reference
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SEARCH CALENDAR
Deadline for application materials
Semi-finalists selected
Semi-finalist interviews
Finalists announced
Finalists’ visit to campus
Selection of new President
August 22, 2015
September 10, 2015
September 28, 29, 2015
Late September 2015
Early to mid-October 2015
Mid-October 2015
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Cathedral will be
based on merit, qualifications and abilities. Cathedral does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military service, veteran status or any
other characteristic protected by law.