Primary Principal (JK to Grade 4)

Primary Principal (JK to Grade 4)

Salary range: $125,000-135,000

Role: Full-time 

Start Date: July 6th, 2026 

Reports to: Deputy Head, Education Program 

Operational Calendar: Full Year 

Location: Onsite

Open to: Internal and External candidates

The Primary Principal (JK-Grade 4) is a key member of the Education Program Team and plays a central role in cultivating a vibrant, safe, and engaging learning environment. Through instructional leadership, relationship-building, and operational oversight, the Primary Principal ensures the consistent delivery of the Montcrest curriculum and pedagogical philosophy while supporting students, families and faculty.

At this time, the Primary Principal also holds a school-wide Operational Portfolio, supporting the effective functioning of the Education Program across divisions. Portfolio assignments reflect current operational needs and may evolve over time; formal reporting lines and role authority remain unchanged.

Through the lens of our current strategic commitments, the Primary Principal has a pivotal role in:

• Building strong foundations for limitless learning

• Supporting student wellbeing and belonging

• Ensuring consistent, high-quality pedagogy in the Primary years

• Providing operational stability through delegated operational leadership

• Aligning day-to-day execution with school-wide priorities

About us

Montcrest School is a welcoming community that specializes in cultivating incredible young people. We believe in small class sizes and unparalleled student-teacher relationships. We believe individuality is something to protect, not suppress. And we believe in meeting our students with the ideal supports—and perfect challenges—for each age and stage, so they emerge as secure, self-directed young people who excel in academics and in life. 

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and pluralistic community. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Montcrest School is committed to barrier-free and accessible recruitment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

About you

I understand that… 

• Instructional leadership is grounded in trust, clarity, and consistency.

• Strong relationships with students, faculty, and families are foundational to student success.

• A school is a complex system, and effective leadership balances pedagogy, operations, and well-being.

• Accountability and support go hand-in-hand.

I am able to…

• Provide instructional leadership and mentorship to faculty and Division Coordinators.

• Support teachers in curriculum planning, pedagogy, assessment, and professional growth.

• Collaborate with Education Program leaders, Student Success, Wellness, and Operations partners.

• Ensure consistency and coherence across classrooms, cohorts, and initiatives.

• Support faculty accountability to divisional and school-wide expectations.

• Coordinate daily operations, including coverage, scheduling, and student supervision.

• Partner with families to address academic, behavioural, and well-being concerns.

• Lead calmly and effectively through complexity and change.

I am becoming more… 

• Outcome-focused with a strong appreciation for the importance of process.

• Willing to reassess, adapt and make changes in direction based on feedback.

• Open-minded and accepting of new ideas from teachers, staff and colleagues.

• Dedicated to learning. I continue to develop my skills and expand my experience and knowledge.

• Open to challenging my own perspectives and biases.

• Empathetic, caring and compassionate with learners, families, and colleagues.

During your time at Montcrest, you’ll be directly involved in:

Fostering an Inclusive Community

• Collaborating with teachers, staff and leadership in education operations matters.

• Participating in team building to develop trusting relationships.

Academic & Pedagogical Leadership

• Supporting faculty in curriculum implementation and pedagogical practice.

• Encouraging innovative, inquiry-based, and inclusive teaching approaches.

• Partnering with the Director of Student Success and the Director of Student Life to coordinate support and enrichment.

• Ensuring fair, inclusive, and effective assessment practices.

• Providing instructional coaching and classroom-based leadership.

Faculty Development & Evaluation

• Overseeing the professional growth of assigned faculty members.

• Co-planning and facilitating professional learning alongside the Education Program Team.

• Supporting accountability and participation in school-wide initiatives.

School Operations & Management

• Coordinating daily staffing and coverage needs.

• Supporting scheduling, duties, and operational timelines.

• Coordinating events, trips, and logistical compliance.

• Collaborating on student life programming and co-curricular offerings.

• Supporting classroom design and learning environments in partnership with Facilities.

School-Wide Operational Tasks (Current Portfolio)

• Overseeing staffing and coverage coordination within approved frameworks.

• Maintaining duty schedules, timetables, and school calendars.

• Supporting LMS usage tracking and operational documentation.

(These responsibilities are executional, time-bound, and may be reassigned as leadership needs evolve.)

Student Conduct & Wellbeing

• Supporting emotional regulation strategies across cohorts.

• Participating in the Student of Concern process.

• Collaborating to ensure coordinated, timely student wellbeing responses.

• Partnering on student conduct and behaviour documentation.

Family & Community Relations

• Building strong relationships with families

• Supporting consistent and clear communication with families.

• Partnering with faculty to address academic and student concerns.

• Serving as an Admissions Liaison, working in alignment with Admissions leadership.

School Life & Events

• Providing student supervision during assigned duties.

• Coaching athletic teams and/or facilitating student clubs.

• Supporting school events, including academic, community, and social initiatives.

Qualifications

• ECE, Kindergarten, or Primary/Junior Specialist qualification required

• PQP Part 1 preferred

• Leadership qualification (e.g., CAIS Leadership Institute, CIS Leadership Lab) preferred

• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience preferred
  

Our Process

We are debiasing our hiring process as part of our commitment to foster an inclusive community. Candidates are asked to complete the following FORM  by Monday February 2nd, 2026. If you do not have a Google account, please email your CV to careers@montcrest.ca.

In keeping with Montcrest’s standards, we value authentic reflection and original thinking. Candidates are expected to complete screening questions independently, without the use of AI or other external tools. Responses that do not meet this expectation may not be considered further.

1. Shortlisting

Your responses to the FORM should outline how you demonstrate the About You section. Responses will be anonymized and randomized prior to screening. We will not view your CV as part of the initial screening process. We will shortlist candidate responses based on the alignment with the knowledge, competencies and character required for this position. The intent is to minimize bias in the first assessment stage.

2. Initial Conversation (30 minutes)

Successful candidates selected to move forward in the process will be contacted to arrange an informal conversation. On this phone call, you can ask us questions about the school and the role. You will also hear more about our skill-based hiring process.

3. Scenario Skill-based Interview

You will engage in a formal interview where we will engage with skill-based scenarios. You will be provided with further information prior to this stage.

4. Authentic Belonging Interview

During the Authentic Belonging component, we will discuss the school vision, mission, values and learning principles and any new questions you might have for us.