PRINCIPAL

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School

Newport Beach, California

July 2026

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School (OLQA) is a vibrant TK–8 parish school in Newport Beach, California, serving more than 450 students in a faith-filled, academically rigorous environment. Founded in 1964, OLQA partners closely with families to form students spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Guided by Christ and rooted in Catholic tradition, the school empowers students through faith, knowledge, and service while fostering a culture of high expectations, joyful community, and lifelong learning.

Reporting directly to the Pastor and serving as the Bishop’s representative in matters of Catholic school administration, the Principal is entrusted with the full leadership of this thriving parish school. The Principal serves as spiritual leader, chief academic officer, and chief administrative steward, ensuring that OLQA’s mission and vision are lived daily and reflected in measurable outcomes.

The next Principal will preserve and strengthen the school’s Catholic identity while advancing academic excellence, faculty development, enrollment vitality, and long-term sustainability. This leader must combine deep faith with executive competence — capable of inspiring students and families while confidently managing enrollment targets, school finances, faculty performance, and operational systems.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• Championing a compelling Catholic vision that drives school decisions and student outcomes

• Leading a rigorous, standards-based academic program supported by data-informed instruction

• Recruiting, developing, and retaining mission-aligned faculty and staff

• Partnering with the Pastor and parish leadership to ensure strong mission alignment and parish engagement

• Maintaining sound fiduciary oversight and supporting development and philanthropic initiatives that secure long-term vitality

• Engaging parents as active partners through consistent, transparent communication

• Building a culture of high expectations, accountability, and respect

THE OPPORTUNITY

OLQA is well-positioned for its next chapter. With strong enrollment, engaged families, recent accreditation success, and a history of excellence, the school seeks a Principal who can build upon this foundation with clarity, courage, and vision.

The ideal candidate is an active Catholic in good standing with the Church, possesses prior experience as a Catholic school teacher and principal, demonstrates strength in instructional leadership and financial stewardship, and brings the confidence to lead complex conversations with professionalism and faith.

This is both a ministry and a significant executive leadership opportunity. OLQA seeks a Principal who understands that forming young disciples and leading a high-performing Catholic school are inseparable responsibilities — and who approaches both with conviction, competence, and hope for the future of Catholic education.

NEXT STEPS

ACELA Solutions is preparing to visit the OLQA school and parish community to formally launch this leadership transition. A comprehensive search prospectus will follow. In the interim, highly qualified candidates are encouraged to initiate their application and begin confidential dialogue with our team. We welcome early expressions of interest as part of a thoughtful and mission-centered discernment process.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic School has retained ACELA Solutions as its exclusive search partner to lead this important leadership transition.

All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be managed directly by ACELA Solutions and handled with the highest level of confidentiality and professional discretion.

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials in PDF format, addressed to Michael Furey, Founder & CEO, ACELA Solutions, for consideration:

• Letter of Interest – Rather than a traditional cover letter, candidates are asked to submit a thoughtful letter describing what draws them to OLQA, their vision for Catholic education, and why this leadership opportunity is compelling at this moment in their vocational and professional journey.
• Resume or curriculum vitae will all appropriate dates included
• Statement of Catholic Educational Philosophy
• Five references representing a balance of personal, professional, and spiritual perspectives, including at least one reference who can speak to the candidate’s faith life and leadership witness

References will be used as part of a holistic discernment process. No references will be contacted without the candidate’s prior knowledge and explicit permission, and confidentiality will be safeguarded with the utmost care throughout the search.