Principal, Grades 11 and 12 John Burroughs School
About John Burroughs School
Founded in 1923, John Burroughs School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 7-12 located on a 50-acre campus in St. Louis, Missouri. Burroughs currently has 660 students, 49 percent of whom identify as students of color. Twenty-five percent of the student body receives tuition aid.
Burroughs strives to instill the joy of living through active learning, integrity, and service to others. We seek to cultivate an inclusive community that nurtures authentic learners who lead and inspire meaningful lives. Faculty, parents/guardians, and students share a commitment to a liberal arts education that strikes a balance among academics, arts, athletics, and activities. We believe that the many dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to excellence in education, and they are woven into the fabric of the Burroughs experience.
For more information, see:
About Burroughs / Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Engagement / Working at Burroughs
Position Description [start date July 1, 2026]
The primary goal of the 11th and 12th Grade Principal is to facilitate the continuing evolution of the best possible student experience in the junior and senior years. This role operates at the intersection of policy and people, requiring both vision and warmth.
The Principal works closely with the Head of School to shape and strengthen the student experience in these grades, including setting priorities for areas of growth and improvement. A central part of the role is building meaningful connections with all 11th and 12th grade students and helping to foster an inclusive and supportive community. The Principal also partners with families to ensure they feel welcomed, supported, and well-informed about their child’s academic and personal journey.
We are seeking a leader who brings joy, enthusiasm, patience, and flexibility to their work, who is an excellent communicator and collaborator, and who inspires confidence among students, families, and colleagues alike.
Key responsibilities include the following:
- Collaborating with other grade-level principals, particularly the 9/10 principal.
- Working in support of the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, Director of College Counseling, Department Heads, and classroom teachers as curriculum is refined and coordinated.
- Keeping the pulse of the faculty experience in the upper grades, including supporting new teachers and encouraging strong collaboration among faculty.
- Partnering with advisors, teachers, Academic Support, Counseling, the Director of DEIE, and the Director of Student Engagement to provide wraparound support for all students, with special care for those who are struggling.
- Working with the Athletic Director and extracurricular sponsors to maintain balance for students in academics, athletics, and activities.
- Handling all disciplinary issues in the 11th and 12th grades with fairness and compassion.
- Helping to shape the life of the school–and the student and family experiences–with energy, vision, leadership presence, and active engagement.
Additional responsibilities include teaching one full-credit academic class (or an equivalent student-related activity), interviewing prospective students, serving on the admissions committee, and assisting with faculty hiring and evaluation.
Application Process:
Please direct applications for and questions about our principal position to Matt DiGiulio, special assistant to the head of school (mattdigiulio@jburroughs.org).
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Cover letter stating interest in and qualifications for the position
- Current resume, including phone number and email address
- Educational philosophy statement
- List of three professional references with contact information
Please also include a note about when it would be appropriate to contact each reference; Burroughs will never reach out to references without your knowledge and permission.
Files will be reviewed as received with preference given to candidates whose materials are submitted by October 24th. Interviews will take place in October and November. Finalists can expect to visit campus in November and December.