The Church of Saint James the Less

3227 West Clearfield Street, Philadelphia, PA 19132


The Church of Saint James the Less was founded in 1846 when the hilltop over the Schuylkill River where it stands was still countryside. The worship of God and the ministry of the Gospel were carried out here for 160 years until, following a dispute with the Diocese of Pennsylvania that resulted in litigation, the congregation decided to leave the Episcopal church, leaving these wonderful old buildings behind.

When the church was vacated in 2006 without a clear plan for what would happen there next, the lush property and its walled yards became a dark spot in the neighborhood rather than the place of welcome and refuge it had always been.

The Clergy, Vestry and People of Saint Mark's, Locust Street adopted the parish in 2008 in order to restore ministry to the property and make it a place of transformation, light, and hope for the neighborhood and the city once again.

Since that time we have been engaged in a process of prayer, discernment and discussion toward the goal of opening a school for children from low-income families on the property - which has previously housed and is well suited to function as a school.

An Advisory Board was formed to plan and prepare for this ministry.  And the Board is now searching for a founding Head of School.

In February 2010, the Advisory Board adopted a mission statement for the school:

Saint James School, a faith-based Philadelphia neighborhood school for traditionally under-served students, educates middle school students in a nurturing environment and with a challenging academic program. We are an Episcopal school that develops our students' moral and spiritual selves and their intellectual, physical, and creative gifts.

The Advisory Board is currently searching for a founding Head of School:

Saint James School, a non-tuition-driven Episcopal middle school for low-income urban children, plans to open in September 2010. We are seeking a qualified person to be the founding Head of School.  

As the public face of the school, the Head should be energized by helping young people explore new educational challenges. The Head must exhibit the strong personal skills needed to communicate the school’s mission to parents, students, community leaders and trustees. A background in fundraising and educational management, and familiarity with the issues of urban education, are highly desirable.

Saint James School will be housed in a National Historic Landmark church and parish house in North Philadelphia. On-site housing may be available.  

Saint James School is a mission project of Saint Mark’s Church, Philadelphia. 
For a more detailed job description, please click here.
Candidates should please submit a cover letter, resume, and references.  These materials may only be submitted electronically to sjtl@saintmarksphiladelphia.org.  The successful candidate will be a person of exceptional leadership, vision and ability, who will advocate strongly for the needs of children in need and at risk.  Cover letters should specifically address what about this project appeals to the candidate and what about the candidate's background makes him or her qualified for this demanding position, addressing specifically these issues:
  • leadership of a faith-based school
  • qualifications for educational leadership
  • commitment to and experience in urban educational environment
  • experience and ability in fund-raising

Materials will be received until March 30.  Interviews of strong candidates will take place in April.

The Advisory Board is currently conducting a feasibility study with the Nativity Miguel Network of Schools.  We believe in the importance of the Nine Mission Effectiveness Standards of the Nework, and we expect them to inform the founding and operation of the school.

All Network schools follow the Nine Mission Effectiveness Standards  

1.  Faith Based
A NativityMiguel School is explicitly faith-based in its mission.

2.  Serves the Economically Poor and Marginalized
A NativityMiguel School offers a financially accessible, not tuition-based education to students from low-income families in impoverished communities and reflects the faith, cultural, and racial demographics of the local community.

3.  A Holistic Education
A NativityMiguel School addresses the academic, physical, social, emotional, moral, and spiritual needs of a student, and develops the growth of the student in all areas.

4.  Partners with the Family
A NativityMiguel School involves the student’s support system in the education of the child and provides opportunity for the growth of the support system.

5.  Extended Day and Year
A NativityMiguel School extends the hours and days that a student is in session and offers structured opportunities for learning, enrichment, and growth during that time.

6.  Commitment Beyond Graduation
It is the expectation that any and all students in a NativityMiguel School will graduate from high school and go on to some form of post-secondary education.  A NativityMiguel School offers a Graduate Support Program that eases a graduate’s transition into high school; tutors, advocates for, and maintains a connection with all graduates during high school; supports the high school in preparing the student for graduation and post-secondary education; and tracks the growth and achievements of all graduates.

7.  Effective Administrative Structure
A NativityMiguel School is governed by an effective administrative structure that includes a strong board comprised of leaders, committed to the financial and academic sustainability of the school, and a working administrative team, based on the president/principal model, that attends to the operational and educational stability and vitality of the school.

8.  On-going Assessment and Inquiry
A NativityMiguel School is accredited by a recognized accrediting association as providing a quality middle school education that will prepare students for success in high school; and utilizes standardized tests and other appropriate assessments to track and document student performance and adapt the educational design if needed.

9.  Active Network Participant

A NativityMiguel School is an active participant in the collaboration, support, and development of the school’s respective network.  This includes conferences and institutes, collegial visits, data gathering, etc.  

 

Fr. Sean Mullen is the Priest-in-Charge of Saint James the Less and Rector of Saint Mark’s.

Dr. Audrey Evans is Chair of the Advisory Board.

The church and other buildings and the churchyard are cared for by Peter Loftus.

 

To read a history of the Church of St. James the Less, click here.