Principal, Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School

Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School
Wilmington, NC
Catholic School Principal and Administration Jobs

Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School is a new Catholic high school in Wilmington, NC which is scheduled to open in August 2026. We are seeking a devoted Catholic and an outstanding and dynamic candidate to lead our high school. Please see the attached Job Posting and Search Prospectus.

Job Posting:
Position Title: Principal, Grades 9-12
Parish or School Name: Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School
Location (City): Wilmington, NC
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Hours per week: 40
Please see the attached Search Prospectus
Position Summary:
The Principal is the ministerial and academic leader of the school, vested with the authority and responsibility to ensure the spiritual and academic growth of the entire school community .
Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School is the new Catholic high school in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area. Developed by volunteers, clergy and finance councils from St. Mark Catholic Church and School, and the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church and School, FTPCHS is committed to academic excellence and the integration of faith-based values, moral development, and community service. Fr. Price Catholic is actively seeking an outstanding and dynamic candidate for the position of Principal . The Principal will be the face of Fr. Price Catholic, serving as the chief marketing officer responsible for community outreach and student recruitment, as well as the development of the school calendar, curricula and staff hiring as our facilities prepare for our inaugural class of students in fall of ’26.

Key responsibilities: (day-to-day job functions)
• Devoted Catholic fully aligned with Church teachings who embodies and promotes the values and traditions of Catholic education through Christ-centered servant leadership.
• Serves as the face of Fr. Price Catholic High School in the community leading the effort for the marketing of the school and the recruitment of students
• Master's degree or higher with appropriate state educational certification, plus minimum five years of instructional and administrative leadership experience, ideally within Catholic education.
• Proven academic leader with passion for inclusive excellence, demonstrated ability to develop and oversee comprehensive, innovative curriculum that challenges all students and fosters high achievement.
• Strong communicator skilled in written and verbal expression, adept at meaningful engagement with parents, students, faculty and administration. Polished presentation abilities when addressing school community members and the broader public.
• Decisive manager with proven record of making tough choices amid competing priorities and resource constraints.
• Visible, approachable leader known for active campus presence and engagement at school events, connecting with students, parents, and staff with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
• Strategic planning, implementation, budget management and oversight experience strongly preferred.
• Skilled at creating positive school culture where parents and teachers collaborate effectively in nurturing students' growth and development.
Minimum Requirements:
• Minimum level of Education: Possess a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration/Leadership
• Minimum years of work experience: Minimum of 3-5 years teaching experience. Experience as a Catholic School Principal or Assistant Principal preferred.
• Enter additional qualifications/requirements:
• Possess or be eligible to be licensed as an administrator by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
• Successfully complete all necessary criminal background and reference checks.
• Complete Diocese-sponsored Safe-Environment Training prior to first day on campus.
• Employment is contingent upon applicant satisfactorily passing criminal background and reference checks
• Must complete diocese-sponsored Safe Environment Training within 30 days of hire.

Position Start Date: July 1, 2026
Interested, qualified candidates should apply by submitting the following materials, as well as answering the application questions via the online portal by clicking this link: diocese of raleigh.org/employment
• Cover letter
• Resumé
• A reference letter from a Pastor
• A statement of philosophy of education

Search Prospectus:
Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School

Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School
Wilmington, North Carolina
ftpchs.org
START DATE – JULY 1, 2026

DIOCESE of RALEIGH
Office of Education

Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School is the new Catholic high school in the greater Wilmington, North Carolina area. Developed by volunteers, clergy and the finance councils from St. Mark Catholic Church and School, and the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church and School, FTPCHS is committed to academic excellence and the integration of faith-based values, moral development, and community service. FTPCHS is the only approved Diocesean Catholic high school in Wilmington, NC.
Rarely are we presented with the opportunity to do something historic in our lifetime. The first class of Fr. Price Catholic High School will be pioneers, remembered for the trail they blaze as founding students. What clubs will our students establish? Who will be the first ever class president? What mascot will they create for athletics? And when their journey at Fr. Price Catholic is nearly through, how will they speak to this remarkable leadership experience on university applications?
Fr. Price Catholic is actively seeking outstanding and dynamic candidates for the position of Principal . The Principal will be the face of Fr. Price Catholic, serving as the chief marketing officer responsible for community outrach and student recruitment, as well as the development of the school calendar, curricula and staff hiring as our facilities prepare for our for an inaugural class of students. In the fall of ’26.

Mission Statement
Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School is an educational community serving Southeastern North Carolina which is centered in the Roman Catholic faith, embracing the richness of Catholic tradition and the promise of innovation, as we form men and women of faith, knowledge and service.

Overview
Fr. Price Catholic High School will be the only Diocese of Raleigh approved Catholic High School in the greater Wilmington area. Fr. Price Catholic is being developed by an incredible group of volunteer professionals, clergy and the finance councils from St. Mark Catholic Church and School, and the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church and School. The respective parish pastors, school principals, key members of the finance counsels and subcommittee heads from each parish make up an Executive Committee that is leading the development with robust guidance from the Diocese of Raleigh. Phase One of Fr. Price Catholic High School will launch in a block of refurbished classrooms in the historic Tileston school building on the campus of the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church. This location will offer access to a science lab, auditorium, gymnasium, music room and other valuable assets and amenities already in place. The school is currently operating with a planning principal in preparation for an inaugural class of students in fall of ’26.

Fr. Thomas F. Price Catholic High School Today

The first phase of FTPCHS is located on the campus of the Basilica of St. Mary at 412 Ann Street in downtown Wilmington. Specifically, the high school classrooms will be in a dedicated hall on the first floor of the historic Tileston Building.

THE POSITION
The Principal is the ministerial and academic leader of the school, vested with the authority and the responsibility to ensure the spiritual and academic growth of the entire school community.

Principal
Grades 9-12
Fr. Thomas F. Price High School, Wilmington NC

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Hours per week: 40

Key responsibilities / day-to-day job functions

• Devoted Catholic fully aligned with Church teachings who embodies and promotes the values and traditions of Catholic education through Christ-centered servant leadership.
• Serves as the face of Fr. Price Catholic High School in the community leading the effort for the marketing of the school and the recruitment of students
• Master's degree or higher with appropriate state educational certification, plus minimum five years of instructional and administrative leadership experience, ideally within Catholic education.
• Proven academic leader with passion for inclusive excellence, demonstrated ability to develop and oversee comprehensive, innovative curriculum that challenges all students and fosters high achievement.
• Strong communicator skilled in written and verbal expression, adept at meaningful engagement with parents, students, faculty and administration. Polished presentation abilities when addressing school community members and the broader public.
• Decisive manager with proven record of making tough choices amid competing priorities and resource constraints.
• Visible, approachable leader known for active campus presence and engagement at school events, connecting with students, parents, and staff with genuine warmth and enthusiasm.
• Strategic planning, implementation, budget management and oversight experience strongly preferred.
• Skilled at creating positive school culture where parents and teachers collaborate effectively in nurturing students' growth and development.

Minimum Requirements
• Possess a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration/Leadership with a minimum of 3-5 years teaching experience. Experience as a Catholic School Principal or Assistant Principal preferred.
• Possess or be eligible to be licensed as an administrator by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
• Successfully complete all necessary criminal background and reference checks.
• Complete Diocese-sponsored Safe-Environment Training prior to first day on campus
• Position Start Date: July 1, 2026

How to apply
Interested, qualified candidates should apply by submitting the following materials, as well as answering the application questions via the online portal: dioceseofraleigh.org/employment

Cover letter
Résumé
A reference letter from a pastor
A statement of philosophy of education
Applications will be considered upon submission, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.

THE LOCATION

Boasting a historic downtown riverfront and three beautiful island beaches, Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach offer a destination of endless vacation experiences.

The heart of Wilmington is concentrated in its lively, walkable river district, which showcases the city’s progressive culture and historic setting. Defined by its rich past and a bright future, Wilmington, NC, is a vibrant riverfront city with timeless character that has preserved its historic places, while fostering an ever-evolving independent spirit. From the charm of its moss-draped, brick-lined historic district to the evolving north-end of its river district, there are new things to discover around every corner. As history moves forward with each exciting new addition, the city mingles historic architecture with modern design and new attractions like a waterfront park and amphitheater, hotels and restaurants – all connected by the nearly two miles of scenic Riverwalk making it easy to move around. At the center of it all is the river that inspires new experiences and fresh ideas, as seen from the local storefronts and cafes, to the film industry, and local arts and music scene. (From https://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/ )

The Real Estate
One of the most important things to consider when moving is choosing your new home. Deciding where you want to live can take some time, but we are here to help. The city of Wilmington has currently been experiencing notable growth in home value. The cost of living in Wilmington is slightly below the national average and less expensive than North Carolina’s capital, Raleigh. However, Wilmington is more costly than the state overall. Residents can expect to pay slightly more than the national average for utilities, transportation and health care. (https://realestate.usnews.com/places/north-carolina/wilmington)

Reasonable Cost of Living
The cost of living in Wilmington is very reasonable and is actually lower than the national average. This city proves that It is possible to live near the beach for a decent price. Housing costs in the area are one of the highest factors when considering the cost of living but some below-average costs are groceries, utilities, and transportation. Since it is such a desirable location and place to live, the cost of living in Wilmington is higher than the North Carolina average but it is still an affordable area. (From https://uphomes.com/blog/moving-to-wilmington-nc/ )