Preschool Director

The Serra Preschool
7 Funston Ave | San Francisco, CA

Start Date: August 1, 2025

Description, Responsibilities, & Duties

About The Serra Preschool (TSP)

The Serra Preschool is a distinguished preschool known for its commitment to excellence in early childhood education, the cultivation of a tight-knit community, and a strong tradition of preparing children for continued success. Embracing “The Serra Way,” a methodology employing play-based learning within a Catholic framework, TSP is dedicated to fostering spiritual, emotional, academic, and social growth, ensuring each child experiences the joy of learning and is on the road for a meaningful life.

Position Summary

The new Director will carry forward the legacy of “The Serra Way,” preserving TSPs academic excellence, spiritual mission, and community-centered culture. This role requires a leader deeply committed to the Catholic faith and early childhood education who will build on existing strengths while bringing a fresh vision to maintain TSP’s reputation and impact. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an exceptional ability to build relationships with families, teachers, and primary schools, guiding each student’s journey with discernment and care.

Key Responsibilities

• Uphold and Advance TSP’s Mission: Ensure continuity of TSP’s values and operational standards, honoring the schools Catholic identity and maintaining academic and developmental excellence in early childhood education.
• Relationship Building: Establish strong, trusting relationships with parents, teachers, and local primary school admissions directors. Guide families in understanding their children’s unique qualities and in selecting suitable next steps in education.
• Community Engagement and Enrollment: Lead successful tours for prospective families, reinforcing the value of TSP’s education. Maintain enrollment by fostering a community that values and supports TSP’s mission.
• Teacher Mentorship: Mentor and support teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate, play-based teaching practices and fostering a cohesive, mission-driven classroom experience.
• Maintain Catholic Identity: Embody and promote TSP’s Catholic mission, reinforcing its spiritual traditions and ensuring faith remains integral to all aspects of school life.
• Fundraising and Financial Stewardship: Host the annual fundraiser. Uphold tuition value by maintaining instructional quality and supporting successful student placements in primary schools of choice.

Outcomes Within the First Two Years

• Build Trust: Develop solid relationships with families, teachers, and key stakeholders, including the current director who will support the transition. Establish Strong School Placement Relationships: Cultivate and maintain meaningful ties with admissions directors at top primary schools.
• Maintain Enrollment and Reputation: Sustain the school’s enrollment numbers and reputation through consistent community engagement and service excellence. Successful Fundraising: Meet or exceed fundraising targets through a well-executed annual event.
• Enhance Parental Engagement: Equip parents with insights about their children’s growth and potential.

Key Competencies and Character Qualities

• Strong Catholic Identity and Religious Mission Alignment: A leader who is rooted in and can advance the Catholic mission of TSP, honoring its spiritual foundation and traditions.
• High Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Relationship-Building Skills: An intuitive and empathetic leader with a high capacity for building relationships across varied community groups, including parents, teachers, and school officials.
• Expertise in Early Childhood Development: Deep understanding of early childhood development, ideally with a masters degree in education from a reputable institution and a strong grasp of play-based pedagogy.
• Intuition, Humility, and Strong Work Ethic: The ability to discern community needs with a humble approach, demonstrating dedication to the role and commitment to the “Serra Way” of excellence.
• Discernment in School Placement: Skill in guiding parents on school selection, providing insights into each child’s unique needs and supporting successful placements in the best-fit primary schools.
• Mentorship and Coaching Skills: A supportive mentor who can coach teachers in curriculum and pedagogy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with TSPs mission.
• Operational and Community Stewardship: A capable administrator who can manage school logistics, oversee fundraising efforts, and maintain the quality and value of TSP’s educational offerings.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

• Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Education Administration, or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in an educational setting, with a preference for experience in a faith-based school.
• Demonstrated commitment to Catholic education and values.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with families, teachers, and educational partners.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: 150,000-200,000

• 403B matching (up to 3% of employee’s gross salary)
• Health Coverage
• 12 month employees have dependent coverage

Paid Holidays

• Thanksgiving Holiday Break
• Christmas Holiday Break
• Presidents Day/midwinter break
• Easter Holiday Break
• Memorial Day
• July 4th for employees working summer session
• Labor Day Holiday
• Discounted Tuition for children of teachers

Our founders, director and our community of teachers and parents believe in the value of experiential curriculum with a purpose. The school’s philosophy is premised upon the belief that each child is a unique individual. Every child brings her or his own special qualities and experiences to the school.

With our belief that each child is unique, we work closely with each family to determine the optimal path for their child. Additionally, we have a variety of flexible options to meet family needs:

• All day care
• Early drop off starting at 8 am
• Lunch program from noon – 1 pm
• After hours care until 5 pm
• Summer Sessions and Camps

A Play-Based Approach for Holistic Development

Our teachers seek to develop and promote each child’s self-esteem, as well as their awareness of and responsibility for themselves, one another, and their shared world.

Spirituality

Our curriculum reflects Roman Catholic traditions and embraces the value of developing virtues such as kindness, generosity, sharing, empathy, and forgiveness. Stories and materials reflecting Christian roots of holidays such as Christmas and Easter are also shared with the children.

Your support will help us advance the quality of every child's one childhood.

Together, we are empowering exceptional education.