Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is conducting a national search for its next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools, a visionary leader called to guide and strengthen Catholic schools and parish catechesis programs, partnering closely with the Archbishop, pastors, school leaders, clergy, and families to foster a unified and thriving system of Catholic education.
Anticipated start date: July 2026
About the role
The Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools serves as the chief educational leader for Catholic schools and parish catechesis programs across the Archdiocese, partnering closely with the Archbishop, pastors, school leaders, clergy, and families to foster a unified and thriving system of Catholic education. The Director is responsible for strategic leadership, operational excellence, and spiritual formation across all Archdiocesan Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in addition to ensuring the effectiveness of all parish catechesis programs.
The Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools will:
- Champion the mission and identity of Catholic education, ensuring that Gospel values and the teachings of the Church animate every aspect of the school system and parish catechetical programs.
- Provide visionary educational leadership that supports and elevates academic rigor, faith formation, and student growth across all grades and contexts.
- Collaborate with pastors, principals, and the Office for the Mission of Catholic Education to implement cohesive policies and resources that strengthen systemwide alignment across schools and parish catechetical programs.
- Promote operational vitality, including enrollment growth, recruitment and retention of outstanding Catholic educators, and sustainable fiscal stewardship.
- Be a pastoral presence and ambassador, building relationships with families, parish communities, civic partners, and benefactors to advance the vision and support for Catholic schools and catechesis programs.
The next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools will serve as a trusted collaborator, skilled communicator, and faith-filled leader who upholds the dignity of every student and educator in the Archdiocese.
About Catholic Education in the Archdiocese
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis have a long tradition of partnering with parents in the formation and education of their children. Collectively serving more than 30,000 students in 76 elementary and 17 high schools across the 12-county metro area, the Archdiocese’s schools help prepare students for life by providing rigorous academics, developing virtue, encouraging recognition of their God-given gifts, and inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Catholic schools of the Archdiocese are accredited by Lumen Accreditation at The Catholic University of America.
The Archdiocese’s parish catechetical programs serve more than 20,000 students in grades K-12, helping them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through systematic formation, prayer and sacramental preparation.
The Archdiocese continues to advance the mission of Catholic education with both fidelity and rigor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading the search?
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has engaged Partners in Mission Search Solutions, the retained search division of Partners in Mission, a nationally respected consulting firm dedicated exclusively to advancing excellence in Catholic school leadership and mission-driven organizations.
Partners in Mission brings deep understanding of Catholic education, informed by both professional expertise and personal commitment to the Church’s mission. Their consultants have partnered with archdioceses, religious congregations, school boards, and Catholic institutions across the country to identify and secure exceptional leaders for a wide range of senior Catholic school and diocesan leadership roles.
Partners in Mission is honored to collaborate with the Archdiocese in this important work of discernment as it seeks its next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools.
What is the role of the Search Committee?
The Search Committee is entrusted with leading the search for the next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, with professional guidance and support from Partners in Mission.
Working in close collaboration, the Committee will oversee the full search process, including reviewing and evaluating candidate applications, conducting interviews with semi-finalists and finalists, and coordinating structured opportunities for appropriate stakeholder engagement with leading candidates.
Following these interactions, the Committee will carefully consider all community feedback, references, and background information before submitting a recommendation to the Archbishop for consideration and final approval.
The Search Committee is committed to conducting a process that is prayerful, rigorous, fair, and inclusive, while also honoring the confidentiality necessary to attract and discern the strongest possible pool of candidates for this vital leadership role.
How can the Archdiocesan community support the search process?
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis invites broad and meaningful participation in the search for its next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools. Community engagement is an essential part of this discernment process and will be incorporated in several intentional ways.
Partners in Mission will administer a community-wide survey to gather input from key stakeholders, including pastors, principals, faculty, staff, parents, students, and other partners in Catholic education. This feedback will help inform the Search Committee’s understanding of the priorities, leadership qualities, and opportunities most critical for the future of Catholic schools across the Archdiocese.
In addition, Partners in Mission will conduct listening sessions with representative stakeholder groups to gain deeper insight into the strengths of the school system, current realities, and hopes for continued growth and mission impact.
Throughout the search, the Archdiocesan community is encouraged to remain engaged by reviewing updates shared by the Search Committee and visiting this webpage for communications regarding the process, timeline, and key milestones. Once finalists are identified, select stakeholder representatives will be invited to participate in structured opportunities to meet the candidates and provide feedback. This feedback will play an important role in informing the Search Committee’s final recommendation.
Above all, the Archdiocese asks the community to pray for the members of the Search Committee and for the candidates as this important work of discernment unfolds, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead Catholic education forward.
