START DATE: JULY 1, 2019 piusxi.org - Carney Sandoe

Pius XI Catholic High School Milwaukee, Wisconsin President Start Date: July 1, 2019 piusxi.org

Mission Pius XI Catholic High School is a thriving, upbeat, diverse community of students who celebrate each other’s unique gifts. Inspired by our Franciscan and Pallottine Catholic values, we prepare our students for higher education and lead them toward lives guided by faith, driven by compassion, formed by scholarship, and prepared to engage the world.

Fast Facts Total students: 800 Total number of religious on staff: 2 Total faculty: 65 Average faculty tenure: 14 years Faculty holding advanced degrees: 50% Student/teacher ratio: 13:1 Total financial aid awarded: $1.9 million Students receiving financial aid: 80%

Overview Pius XI Catholic High School, a coeducational Catholic school for students in grades 9-12, seeks a visionary President with passion for mission and a desire to take an outstanding school to the next level. The position is available July 2019 or sooner. Pius XI is more than a school—it’s a vibrant Catholic community and a place for everyone, from thespians to athletes, artists to engineers. In a community defined by diversity and respect, a free flow of ideas and experiences is celebrated and promoted through an intentional focus on elevating the mind, spirit, and whole person. The school prides itself on its welcoming and inclusive Franciscan and Pallottine values and its distinctly global perspective, encouraging its students to become faithfilled citizens of the world. The current president has announced her plans to relocate for a new opportunity following 32 years of outstanding service to the school. This is a stable and supportive leadership environment, and the board is eager to welcome entrepreneurial and faith-filled candidates who can build on the current platform and take this fine school to new levels of excellence and prominence in the Greater Milwaukee community.

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School History Under the direction of the Pallottine Fathers and the School Sisters of St. Francis, Pius XI Catholic High School, named in honor of Pope Pius XI, was founded in 1929. Originally, only the first three years of high school curriculum were offered until 1937 when the school held its first official graduation for a charter class of eight seniors. The school began earning its national reputation early on in its history. In 1937, the University of Wisconsin placed Pius XI on the accredited list of state high schools. Further accreditation was given to Pius XI in 1953 when the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools added Pius XI to their list of accredited high schools. As years passed, an ever-increasing student population necessitated larger facilities. The original section of the current building opened in September 1949. A six-story addition was completed in the spring of 1957. Decades later in fall of 1998, construction and renovation of the existing space yielded a new library media center, chapel, office space, and multi-purpose lobby area. A new home for family and consumer education classes emerged along with an enhanced audio-visual center (complete with a recording studio) and 11 new science labs/classrooms.


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The School Today, Pius XI Catholic High School educates 800 students. Its diverse, international community strengthens human bonds, broadens each student’s world perspective, and gives them a deeper appreciation of their peers. Pius XI is called to a mission that is grounded in the love of Jesus and the faith of the Catholic Church. Students are nurtured to become the very best versions of themselves. In the Pallottine and Franciscan traditions, Pius XI invites students and families from all backgrounds into a dynamic community of teachers and learners of faith; 40% of students are non-Catholic. Students come to Pius XI from all over southeastern Wisconsin—and the world—to be challenged academically and to grow spiritually in the school community. Its 55 international students represent four continents and seven countries. Pius XI is truly a place for everyone. The school began evolving to true independent status with the establishment of an independently functioning Board of Directors in 1989. Although technically an apostolate of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the school is operating as an independent Catholic school, solely responsible for its own governance, financial resources, and academic programs.


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Academics Pius XI Catholic High School’s college-ready program starts with outstanding academics that challenge and motivate all students to reach their full potential. With the support of motivated teachers and a community environment, every student can thrive. At Pius XI, students are scholars, pushed to succeed and think critically about the world around them. Throughout 12 unique teaching departments, students have the opportunity to engage in intellectual dialogue, develop critical thinking skills, strengthen moral character, and cultivate an appreciation for lifelong learning. The academic program is expansive with over 100 course offerings, including 14 Advanced Placement classes and even more honors selections. Students are required to complete coursework in English, technology, math, science, social science, world languages, health, fine arts, fitness and wellness, and can choose from a wide array of electives. Despite the variety, classes stay intentionally intimate, integrated, and personalized with connections built into the curriculum that allow students access to resources and one-on-one instruction. Individualized learning means that teachers take the time to get to know the whole student well and develop teaching plans that work with their students’ skills and abilities to ensure they reach their maximum potential. Because of this attention, students excel and develop into critical thinkers, curious advocates, and eager learners. Pius XI students are guided through their formative high school years by a college-style schedule (Mod) that promotes self-discipline and individuality. This unique training makes the transition to postsecondary education smooth and purposeful. Instead of homerooms, Pius has TAC (Teacher Advisor Contact) rooms with a mixture of students from all grades. Four years of consistent mentoring by a The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates

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trained teacher guides each student in designing an individualized path to pursue individual goals and interests. At Pius XI, students are prepared to be critical thinkers, not just great test takers. They are equipped with the skills they need to make positive changes in their communities – no matter where their paths after graduation take them. When students graduate from Pius XI, they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of wherever their lives might take them. An average of 93% of students are accepted into a four-year college or university.

Arts At Pius XI, young scholars and artists alike are nurtured to find ways to share their creativity and grow in their own journeys. The school offers a unique performing and visual arts education unlike any other found in parochial schools in the region. The program is recognized nationally as one of the best and has produced five Presidential Scholars and numerous merit and scholarship awards through the YoungArts Competition (ARTS), the nation’s most prestigious art award. When students start the fine arts curriculum at Pius XI, they are able to learn from nationallyrenowned passionate faculty to hone their talents. In fact, the art faculty has been recognized by invitation to the White House five times since 1995 and has been recognized for excellence by the Education Department of Harvard University and the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools. These passionate educators with respected professional affiliations push and guide students towards a deeper appreciation and commitment to the fine arts as both practitioners and celebrants. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates

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With dozens of courses from theatre to dance, music to painting, there is something for all students to explore and expand their creativity and self-expression. For students who fall in love with the arts, the arts curriculum leads to many college-preparatory courses and competitions, which have awarded Pius XI students with millions of dollars in scholarship funding last year.

Athletics Pius XI High School has had a rich tradition of athletic success. Its athletic programs have been a part of over 180 Conference Championships and 97 State Championships. The school believes that offering the opportunity for all of its students to perform and be recognized for the use of their abilities is essential to an enjoyable scholastic experience. Pius XI student-athletes develop their skills and talents alongside their peers, while gaining the support of teammates, coaches, family, and the Pius XI Community. Interscholastic competition allows for student-athletes to show a sense of commitment to something greater than themselves. Pius XI is a member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (W.I.A.A.) and competes in the Woodland Conference. Student-athletes are held to a high standard of not only athletic, but academic integrity while proudly representing Pius XI Catholic High School as well as fostering Catholic Identity. Offerings include boys cross country, track and field, baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, football, and wrestling; and girls softball, cross country, track and field, basketball, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and pom pons.


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School Life Students at Pius XI are active, and there is always something happening in the community. The school offers a motivating education, from the start of the school day through after school activities and beyond. Whether it’s tutoring in the Learning Commons to clubs and extracurricular organizations, Pius XI makes certain that students’ academic, social, and spiritual needs are met. The school supports numerous clubs and organizations based on academic, performing arts, and other special interests of the student body. Participation in extracurricular activities is encouraged. When students embrace and actively engage in a club or organization, it nurtures the whole person. There are opportunities for all students; these activities stretch their imaginations, boost their confidence, and inspire their academics. A sampling of clubs and organizations includes Art Club, Mathletes, National Honor Society, Faith Builders, Student Activity Council, Film Society, Ski Club, and Stage Crew. Pius XI also seeks to inspire students to follow their passions in the service of others. As part of the school’s commitment to service, all Pius XI Catholic High School students are provided a guideline for regular community service participation. The emphasis on service is crucial to the faith and character formation of students and graduates. Freshmen are required to complete 10 hours of service per semester and sophomores 15. By junior year, the goal is for students to have developed the disposition to engage in Gospel outreach without it being a school-monitored requirement. Opportunities include sorting and distributing food and clothing at the St. Hyacinth Food Panty, environmental restoration and maintenance at the Urban Ecology Center, the Soles for Catholic Education Walk, and the Catholic Relief Services/Rice Bowl event.


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Faith Formation At Pius XI Catholic High School, faith is part of everything every day. As part of the community, students are grounded in their faith and challenged to apply Jesus’ teachings to their own lives in their own communities. Students are inspired with the faith and virtues to help make them selfconfident men and women of outstanding character. While students at Pius XI come from a variety of faith backgrounds and experiences, the community is rooted in its common focus of mutual respect and the divine dignity of every person. Teachers and staff lead by example, and students are given a solid foundation of faith for a lifetime, practicing daily Catholic traditions, beliefs, and practices to guide spiritual growth. They are encouraged to grow and learn in faith through the religious education department—which includes a four-year theology curriculum with 12 course offerings—service opportunities, and numerous retreats. Freshmen and sophomores are introduced to the retreat experience through one- and two-day organized retreats. Seniors and second semester juniors have the opportunity to attend an indepth Kairos retreat. These specialized retreats are centered around discussions and offer time for individual contemplation and prayer. Mission trips and community service opportunities all prepare students to thrive in a pluralistic world ready to answer the call to live their faith in service to others.


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Campus Pius XI added a state-of-the-art field house in the fall of 2003, including a 1,600-seat gymnasium with practice, teaching, and training space to accommodate 57 teams playing 23 sports; fitness and training space for students, staff, families, and alumni; and community access for competitions and events. When the Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center was finished in 2012, it became the permanent home of the Wendy Joy Lindsey Theater. Seating 500 patrons within an intimate setting, the theater is buffeted by a Lares Sound System to ensure acoustic perfection for every style of performance. Two impressive visual arts galleries anchor the performing arts center, The Joseph and Harriet Kern Gallery and the Carron Family Gallery. The galleries play host to alumni and student art shows throughout the year.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Settled on the picturesque western shores and bluffs of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in the state of Wisconsin with a metropolitan population of nearly 1.6 million. With a strong European history — particularly German — Milwaukee is rich in culture and known for its livability, foodie experience and brewing traditions, weekly summer music and cultural festivals, and historic neighborhoods. Home to multiple companies on the Fortune 500 list – from Northwestern Mutual and Harley Davidson, to Rockwell Automation and Manpower Group – Milwaukee truly has something to offer everyone. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates

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Historical and cultural attractions make Milwaukee a perfect city for exploring. The renowned and recently expanded Milwaukee Art Museum sits on the shore of Lake Michigan and is a popular destination for art enthusiasts. The Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Florentine Opera, and Milwaukee Symphony host annual calendars featuring everything from classics to the contemporary, while the Riverside and historic Pabst Theaters showcase a rotation of the latest and greatest current musical acts. A playground for the young and old alike, visitors of all ages love to explore the many parks situated directly on the lakefront, visit the Milwaukee Public Museum and County Zoo, or attend the world’s largest music festival, SummerFest, each June/July. The city is also home to a number of institutions of higher education, including Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, and Mt. Mary University. Sports fans will get their fill from the Milwaukee Brewers who play baseball at Miller Park, the Milwaukee Bucks, minor league hockey team the Admirals, or the Packers who play in Green Bay, about two hours north of Milwaukee. Food and beverage enthusiasts will enjoy the seemingly endless dining options in the city and surrounding areas. Featuring multiple James Beard award-winning and nominated chefs and restaurants, Milwaukee has become known for its growing foodie culture, with four nominees in the running for the prestigious 2017 James Beard awards. The city also boasts several major and microbreweries and distilleries from MillerCoors and the MKE Brewing Company, to Lakefront Brewery, Great Lakes Distillery, and many, many more.


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While the historic Milwaukee neighborhoods, surrounding towns and villages, and picturesque suburbs make the area an ideal place to live, it also serves as a fantastic location for easy-to-getto travel and day-trip destinations. Within an hour of city limits, visit the beautiful ice age trails of the Kettle Moraine forest for superb hiking and cross-country skiing, or head west to inland lake country and spend a summer weekend on boat. Only 90 minutes south you will find Chicago – the perfect family day-trip. Drive two and a half hours north to experience Door County – known for its 19 communities scattered across 300 miles of peninsula shoreline – featuring orchards, wineries, art galleries, and multiple opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts with five state parks.

Opportunities and Challenges The education environment in and around Greater Milwaukee is extremely competitive, especially for Catholic secondary schools. “Choice Programs” have enabled parents to explore a wide range of educational options—public, private, and charter—creating a new generation of competitors for Pius XI. Pius XI is the largest coeducational Catholic high school in the region and is the school of choice for many families seeking a high performing, coeducational experience infused with Catholic values. This positions Pius XI as an extremely important educational institution in the region. Candidates should be mindful of the following opportunities and challenges that await the next President: 1. As mentioned above, Pius XI exists in a highly competitive education market with many outstanding public and private institutions. While enrollments have fluctuated within a tolerable range, the board sees a potential inflection point for the school under new entrepreneurial leadership. The next President will be expected to raise the profile and compelling value proposition of the school while differentiating Pius XI effectively from other choices available to local families. 2. Pius XI is financially stable and well capitalized, with modest debt and a healthy balance sheet. The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to improve the financial condition of the school by substantially growing the school’s modest endowment, thereby enriching the financial resources of the school and enabling greater focus on financial aid for worthy students. The next President will have an opportunity to work with a motivated board in achieving these new and important financial objectives. 3. The most recent strategic plan was implemented in 2012. There is currently no strategic plan in place for the school. The next President will have an opportunity to drive this visioning process and bring the community together around bold new aspirations.


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Desired Qualities and Qualifications of the Next President Pius XI operates in the President/Principal Leadership Model. This increasingly popular bifurcated leadership structure enables the board to consider President candidates from a variety of missioncritical career platforms such as higher education, other independent or Catholic schools, as well as non-profit foundations, associations, charities, and the like. Although deep domain knowledge of secondary education would be helpful, exceptional leadership qualities and passion for mission are more important qualities in the President position. In addition, the following qualities and qualifications will be expected: • A practicing Catholic will be required—someone who is capable of modeling and promoting Catholic values while welcoming families and students of all faith traditions. • A high profile, relational leader with outstanding institution-building skills is also critical at this time. • The board is also seeking a dynamic, entrepreneurial leader—someone who can craft a bold new vision for the school and grow enrollments by “creating demand” for the unique gifts of a Pius XI education experience. • The President/Principal Model also requires a President who is intrinsically collaborative, respectful of his/her colleagues, and capable of building a strong and enduring team. This is truly an exceptional leadership opportunity, and the members of the board welcome candidates from varied career backgrounds who share their ambitions and can meet the core requirement of the position.

To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials: • • • •

A cover letter expressing your interest in this opportunity and aligning your skills and experiences with the leadership needs of the school as you understand them; A current résumé with all appropriate dates; A one-page statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice; A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted until a serious mutual interest is established and not without the candidate’s permission).

Please forward your materials to: Bob Regan Practice Group Leader, Catholic Schools Practice [email protected] Barbara Daush Search Consultant [email protected]


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