CUSSD Upper School Driector Opprotunity Profile v.3

CHRISTIAN UNIFIED SCHOOLS
DIRECTOR UPPER SCHOOL
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE CONTENT
EL CAJON, CALIFORNIA
SAN DIEGO

Dear Prospective Director of Upper School Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the Upper School Director (7th-12th) position at Christian Unified School. Christian
Unified Schools consists of three elementary schools, Christian Junior High (7th-8th), and Christian High School (9th-
12th) on three campuses for a total of 1050 students. This important role provides leadership for both the Junior
and Senior High levels of CUS.
The question at hand is this, “What are you looking for?” Are you actively searching for the next place of leadership
where you will impact His Kingdom through this calling of Christian Education? Or maybe, like me, you have not
been actively seeking a new position but He has placed this one in your path. That is my story. I was not actively
looking, but was willing to listen. As doors opened and I went through the process it became abundantly clear to me
that God was calling me to serve at Christian Unified Schools. What a great decision - I am blessed to work alongside
dedicated and passionate professionals. Now, I am praying for an Upper School Director to join me who will be both
supplementary and complimentary to my leadership of this school district. I know God will lead someone who loves
the Lord without reservation, is relational, passionate and has the experience to take on the exciting challenges
ahead. The Vision has been cast and we are putting down a sustainable foundation so our administrative team, staff
& faculty are in prayer for a senior leader to join this incredible team.
My wife and I have been blessed by our move to San Diego. We love the area, the climate and the people. God
made it abundantly clear that we were to make a big move that we did not anticipate. He provided affirmations and
confirmations throughout the process. We know that God is in the midst of this leadership search and know that He
will be faithful in this process that we trust to Him.
I encourage you to read through this Opportunity Profile and to further explore our website for additional
information. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please reference the Process of Candidacy page to
begin the application process. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Coverstone (615-261-4623) or Ed Poff
(860-983-0367), the JobfitMatters Consultants who are assisting Christian Unified Schools
in this search.
Eyes On Christ,
GREETINGS
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Pat McCarty
Galatians 2:20
Superintendent, Christian Unified Schools

OVERVIEW
Christian Unified Schools, founded in 1965 by Tim LaHaye, pioneered private evangelical Christian secondary
education in San Diego County. With a tradition of academic, athletic, and artistic excellence, CUSSD provides
a rigorous college preparatory curriculum for a diverse population of 169 junior high students and 378 high
school students for a total of 547 in the Upper School, including a dynamic International Program of 73. A
ministry of Shadow Mountain Church, pastored by Dr. David Jeremiah, CUSSD is a separate 501(c)(3).
For 50 years, CUSCD has sought to create an environment where excellence matters, God-given potential is
prized, and Christian leadership is promoted. Through academic rigor, award-winning programs in fine and
performing arts, championship athletic teams and meaningful spiritual discipleship, CUSSD stands out as a wellbalanced
school serving a broad spectrum of needs.
In a recent survey, constituents described CUSSD as “welcoming”, “encouraging”, “committed to Christ”,
“focused,” and “a family.” Enrollment continues to remain strong throughout recent leadership transitions.
When asked if the school has been effective over the last three to five year in fulfilling its mission, 66% clearly
agreed. There was strong unity around what the priorities of the school should be, where additional energy
should be invested: spiritual development and academic performance of students.
The next Upper School Director for CUSSD will be an important partner to the new Superintendent, Pat McCarty.
He and his wife, Sandy, recently moved to San Diego from Norfolk, Virginia where Pat was the Head of School for
Norfolk Christian, a founding member of the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA). We
are looking for a relational leader committed to nurturing students in their Christian faith and guiding the 7th-
12th grades at CUSSD. Most of all, the next Upper School Director must have a strong personal faith, be strong
relationally, maintain a healthy work/life balance, be a strong public speaker, and have a spirit of teachability to
partner well with the Superintendent.
To learn more about Christian Unified Schools, see http://www.christianunified.org.

HISTORY
of
CHRISTIAN UNIFIED SCHOOLS
1965 Christian Unified Schools of San Diego began with the vision and prayer of Dr. Tim
LaHaye. Pastor LaHaye’s vision was to influence and share the lives of young people
through Christian education. His desire was for students to know Christ as their
Savior, grow in Christ and be educated through a Biblical worldview.
1968 The school system expanded when Christian Junior High opened in 1968.
1973 The high school moved to its current location in 1973.
1974 CUSSD continued to grow with the opening of Christian Elementary in 1974.
1975 Christian High was granted accreditation.
1990 Family Heritage Foundation was established to:
a)promote Christian education
b)make quality Christian education available through an ongoing scholarship outreach
c)To fund 1,500,000 teacher’s endowment by 1995
1990 The International Student program began.
1992 Ryan Athletic Center opens.
1998 Career Guidance Center opens.
2007 Construction of “The Village” a special place for junior high students.
2011 The Science Lab, Film/Media Lab, New locker rooms, Turf Field.
2016 Opening of Shadow Mountain Generations building – giving CUSSD access to meeting
rooms, classrooms & a cafe.

MISSION & VALUES
MISSION STATEMENT
Recognizing the preeminence of Christ, partnering with parents, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego
teaches students to think, learn, and live from a Biblical worldview by integrating God and His Word as the
primary source of knowledge and Truth.
VISION STATEMENT
Christian Unified Schools of San Diego student acquire deep and personal knowledge of Christ and His Word,
achieve the highest levels of Christian scholarship and learning, and accomplish the eternal purposes for
which God created them.
CORE VALUES
TEACHING STUDENTS TO ATTAIN THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN GOD.
Christian Education from the Word of God, subject to God’s sovereign and providential purpose, brings
students to their full stature in Christ. Genesis 1: 1, 26-28; Isaiah 54:13-17; Revelation 4:11
TEACHING STUDENTS SELF-GOVERNMENT UNDER GOD.
Christian Education internalizes and applies Biblical principles for the government of home, school, and nation
thereby framing the proper response of students to God. Romans 3:23; John 3:16; John 16:13
TEACHING STUDENTS TO COMMIT THEMSELVES FULLY TO GOD.
Christian Education challenges students spiritually, morally, socially, physically, and academically, to consider
how they govern themselves, their habits of work and scholarship, their insight and knowledge of God’s
providence, and their character development in light of each student’s commitment of faith in Christ. Mark
12:30, 33
TEACHING STUDENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS, FACULTY, AND THE LOCAL CHURCH.
Christian Education in a cooperative effort between parents, faculty, and the local church develop the spiritual,
environmental and intellectual culture necessary to sound learning. Parents authorize both school and
church to inspire, cultivate, consecrate, and instruct their children. By necessity, every teacher who teaches
from a Biblical philosophy of schooling must exemplify the excellent teaching gifts and qualities of character
and scholarship worthy of a wholehearted commitment to Christ. All teachers must represent the spirit and
discipline of their calling and embody the very goals they teach their students. Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Galatians
6:6; James 3:1.
TEACHING STUDENTS TO THINK, LEARN, AND LIVE AS EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
Christian Education enlightens the understanding, corrects the temperament, forms the habits and manners,
and prepares students for useful service. From a Christian worldview of presuppositions consistent with
absolute Biblical truth, students learn to discern right action and thinking from which they then exercise a
proper role in their families, the Body of Christ, and as citizens of the United States of America. Romans 12:1-2;
I Timothy 4:15.

• The Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired,
inerrant, plenary, and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality,
and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of
CUSSD’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, Shadow Mountain Community Church is CUSSD’s
final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
• We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, and His sinless life, in His miracles, in His
vicarious and atoning death through the shedding of His blood, in His bodily resurrection on the third day,
in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and In His personal pre-millennial return to rapture His
Church before the Tribulation and His glorious appearing to set up His Millennial Kingdom.
• We believe that salvation is by grace alone through faith, apart from works by the merit of the shed blood
of Christ, and that the born-again believer is eternally secure in Christ.
• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a
godly life.
• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of
life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
• We believe in the individual priesthood of the believer.
• We believe life begins at conception.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
• We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning; the uniting of one biological man and one
biological woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen. 2:18-25.) We believe
that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a biological man and a biological woman who
are married to each other. (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4.) We believe that God has commanded that no
intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
• We believe that the Scripture dictates standards of sexual behavior. The unique roles of the male and
female are clearly defined in Scripture. Any promiscuity, homosexuality, gender identity issues or other
deviations from Biblical principles is a sin that is offensive to God (Matt. 5:18-19; I Cor. 6: 9-10, 19-20; Eph.
5:3-5; 1 Thess. 4:3-8).

CUSSD AT A GLANCE
District Enrollment
1050 total students
378 grades 9-12
169 grades 7-8
505 grades PreK-6
48% girls and 52% boys
6.72% students of color
Class of 2016
97% College acceptance (39% private / 61% public)
Four year college: 62%, Two year college 32%
SAT Means: CR: 501, Math: 576, Writing: 520
ACT Means: Comp: 24, English 24.7, Math 23.8,
Reading 24.4, Science 24
AP Tests Taken: 77
AP Qualifying: 86%
Faculty
69 total faculty
37 faculty 7-12
32 faculty PreK-6
64 full-time / 5 part-time
32% hold advanced degrees
District Student/Faculty ratio – 15:3
Financial:
Annual Budget 2015-2016: $12.3 million
Giving for 2015-2016: $267,000
Total Debt: $0
Tuition:
Grades K $8,184
Grades 1-6 $8,640
Grades 7-8 $10,632
Grades 9-12 $12,024 (for more tuition information, see CUSSD Tuition)
Financial Aid:
More than 25% of the student body receives needs-based financial aid
More than $963k was awarded in needs-based financial aid for the 2016-2017 school year
College Acceptances and Matriculations:
91 students graduated from Christian High in 2016 with college acceptances from 123 colleges.
Accreditation & Membership:
CUSSDis accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools
International (ACSI)..

SPIRITUAL CLIMATE AND SERVICE
CUSSD believes a major function of Christian education is imparting a humble “ministry” mentality. Challenging
young people to serve others as a way of life in the midst of a materialistic culture can be difficult. This is why
CUSSD presents students with many opportunities for service. They can participate in providing school supplies to
kids in homeless shelters or visiting the elderly. They can help rebuild homes in dilapidated neighborhoods. They
can even reach out beyond their community to other parts of the world in places such as Honduras, China, and
Tanzania.
Every high school student must accumulate a total of 45 hours of community service in order to graduate. The goal
is to cultivate a lifestyle of compassion and service that permeates every aspect of their world.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
The Academic Support Program at CUSSD recognizes that all children are uniquely designed by god for His purpose.
Within His design, some children struggle more in the academic arena that others. CUSSD provides these students
with support needed to realize their God-given potential. The Barton program is used to provide intervention and
accommodation for elementary students who are not experiencing success with the classroom curriculum. Study
skills classes are designed to provide academic support and to help secondary students develop the necessary
skills to succeed independently. Reach 360 is a junior and senior high school course designed to improve students’
reading abilities. Math Labs provide aide to students in a variety of math subjects.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
The Visual and Performing Arts programs at Christian Unified Schools of San Diego are designed to stimulate and
develop an appreciation of art, music, and drama, while developing a degree of performance proficiency. Some
students develop a lifetime association with the arts from a layman’s perspective. Others find inspiration and skills
that lead to a career in music, art, or drama.
Courses include Drama, Symphonic Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Choral Music, Vocal Ensemble, and a variety
of Art Classes. A film production labs provides an outstanding venue for Film and Video Production classes.
ATHLETICS
Christian Unified Schools of San Diego offers opportunities for all students to be challenged physically while they
also grow scholastically, socially, and spiritually. Patriot Athletics have a strong tradition and history of success in
San Diego. Teams are guided by a veteran staff of coaches who are dedicated to helping student athletes fulfill their
full potential. Thirteen different sports, representing 30 teams, make up the Christian High School program. There
are also 11 junior high teams and eight elementary teams. The mission, “Train young athletes, through integrity and
character, to glorify Christ with their talents and abilities, and to be an example to other on and off the playing field.
Almost 75% of CUSSD students play a varsity sport.
Girls Teams
Basketball
Softball
Cross Country
Cheer
Golf
Soccer
Swim
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Boys Teams
Basketball
Baseball
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Soccer
Swim
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
“Athletics provides an excellent
‘classroom’ for teaching character,
hard work, and teamwork. Our
program seeks to develop not only
excellent athletes and team, but
exceptional individuals of integrity.”
- Athletic Director

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
The International Program at CUSSD accepts students from all over the world who meet admission requirements.
Students are tested and placed in appropriate content-based, mainstreamed classes and language-support classes
through a High Intensity Language Training (HILT) programs that tracks their progress all through school.
Students become proficient in academic English (reading, vocabulary, grammar, writing, listening and speaking)
as they prepare for university-level work. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain cultural exposure
as they live in an American home and participate in activities such as student government, extra-curricular trips,
volunteering, fine arts, and sports.
Currently, the International program is comprised students from the following countries: China (60), Korea (7),
Vietnam (1), Thailand (2), and Burundi (3).
ONLINE PROGRAM
CUSSD Online was created to offer a flexible alternative to delivering a Christian education to students and families.
CUSSD Online has more than 100 courses available for grades 6-12, including Advanced Placement and Dual-Credit
courses. Online courses are rigorous, college-prep classes that exceed national standards. Biblically-integrated
curriculum coupled with high academic standards are the foundation of the program. Examples of enrollees
include homeschool students, traditional students with unique scheduling conflicts, students needing additional
credit for graduation, students repeating a course, students desiring to gain college credit while in high school, and
even students who reside outside the local area.

UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR
PROFILE
The Upper School Director reports to the Superintendent and has responsibility for the Junior High and High School
programs, comprising 550 of the 1051 students and 49 of the 113 faculty and staff. In partnership with parents, he/
she serves as the educational leader, responsible for managing the policies, regulations, and procedures to ensure
all students are supervised in a Christ-centered, college prep environment. He/she is responsible for hiring and
maintaining a quality teaching staff that supports student achievement. He/she works in a team environment with
other school leaders to provide a cohesive district-wide program. Inherent in the position are the responsibilities
for scheduling, curriculum development, extracurricular activities, personnel management, emergency procedures,
and facility operations.
Currently, Upper School Director’s team is structured with the following direct reports:
• Director of Counseling
• Vice Principal
• Dean of Students
• Department Heads
GOVERNANCE
Christian Unified Schools of San Diego is an outreach of and sponsored by Shadow Mountain Community Church
(SMCC). The thirteen-member governing Board of Directors is composed of SMCC members who have been elected
by its membership at the annual meeting. The school is a separate 501(c)3 organization which is supported and
protected by the overarching policies of SMCC. The function of the school board is to establish policy, oversee
financial procedures, approve budgets, and set goals and vision which direct the superintendent to achieve the
desired results. The Superintendent is charged with the organizational accomplishment of the mission and goals
of CUSSD and the organizational operation of CUSSD within the boundaries of prudence and ethics established in
board policies.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Must be a spiritually mature and growing Christian, who is active in his/her Christian life.
• Must have a minimum of five years teaching and/or administrative experience.
• Must have successfully demonstrated leadership ability.
• Must hold a BA/BS and MA/MS degree or equivalent.
• Must have an understanding and commitment to distinctively Christian education.
• Required to be (or become) an active member of Shadow Mountain Community Church.

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LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Spiritual Depth
• Be a spiritually mature and growing Christian, who is active in his/her Christian life.
• Required to be (or become) an active member of Shadow Mountain Community Church (member of the
Southern Baptist Convention).
• Be known as a person of impeccable character, respected as trustworthy, living the values of integrity,
service, and respect for others.
Exceptional Character
• Be known as a person of impeccable character, respected as trustworthy, living the values of integrity,
service, and respect for others.
• Ensure that CUSSD does not drift from its core mission to teaches students to think, learn, and live from a
Biblical worldview by integrating God and His Word as the primary source of knowledge and Truth.
• Have a commitment to distinctly Christian education.
Team Leadership
• Be an excellent team builder, team leader, and motivator; this person must inspire enthusiasm, cast the
vision, and be open to and create new ideas for continuous improvement, growth, and development.
• Be a good listener, actively listening to a variety of viewpoints and engaging in dialogue regarding these
viewpoints, but ultimately having the courage to be decisive and bold.
• Ensure good relationships between church and school.
• Effectively supervise all channels of communication between faculty, staff, students, and parents.
Financial Acumen
• Have demonstrated success setting and managing budgets in collaboration with other key leadership.
• Be a promoter of the school, supporting enrollment, retention, and fundraising success.
• Be a natural community leader, both on campus and off. Create further understanding, excitement and
engagement in the mission, vision and ministry of CUSSD .
Academic Leadership
• Have the professional background and educational training to ensure CUSSD’s success in achieving
academic excellence for a broad spectrum of students.
• Improve and ensure high standards of the school’s curriculum at all levels.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, and retain an ever-improving high-caliber faculty.
• Differentiate CUSSD’s approach from other private and public schools in the area.
• Undertake all necessary activities to maintain ASCI accreditation.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Successful leadership in any educational institution is judged by how well its leader meets the expectations of
the Superintendent, meets the needs of its students, and responds to the input of its faculty, administration
and other constituent groups. Following are key expectations of the Upper School Director:
• Increased student discipleship and spiritual development activities on campus.
• Improved academic student achievements and delivery of instruction through investment in and
development of quality faculty .
• Reduced turnover in faculty and staff.
• Stronger community culture and improved morale among faculty, parents, and students.
• Implementation of quality STEM program.

THE LOCATION: SAN DIEGO
TOP REASONS TO MOVE TO SAN DIEGO
It is an incredibly beautiful place. San Diego is famous for its warm climate, beautiful parks, gardens
and beaches, museums, art galleries, and so much more. There are many beautiful places in the city,
and the many miles of beaches are just some of them. In the weekends you don’t need to wonder any
more what you can do – just go to the beach. Whether it is surfing, swimming, biking, jogging, etc. –
you will find something for you to do out of the plenty of options that you have there so you won’t be
bored. Balboa Park, for instance, is an amazing place, and is bigger than Central Park. And there are
also mountains, canyons, and seaside cliffs you could enjoy among the scenery of the city.
The climate. San Diego is a city with one of the top ten best climates and is one of the two best
summer climates in the USA. The summers are warm and dry and winters are mild. Generally the
climate is mild all year around which is one of the reasons why this city is visited by tourists so much
and attracts new residents. It is always nice and warm, rainfall is scarce, so if you don’t like severe cold
or winter in general, San Diego is one of the best options for you. There is so little rain that you don’t
have to worry about bugs like mosquitoes getting on your nerves.
Dining out. There are plenty of wonderful places to have a drink and have dinner. And the food is
great. Explore the options that you have there by paying a visit to the city before moving there, if you
can. You won’t regret it. And Mexican food served there is surely an experience not to miss. Beer – as
well.
San Diego is a family city. If you have children, they will surely enjoy the place very much. There’s the
zoo, Legoland, Sea World, lots of beaches, parks and museums, and lots of sports you can practice as
well, not to mention the 3 large universities available for getting higher education for those who want
it. But even if you don’t have kids, the city provides lots of great ways to have fun with your partner
and/ or your friends. There are farmers markets organized in the different neighborhoods as well.
And the city hides more interesting surprises – the fun does not stop here!
The Zoo and Sea World. These are two great places that are so worth to be a reason to move to San
Diego – each one of them separately. They can provide a wonderful experience both for adults and
children. So don’t hesitate visiting them! Whales, pandas, monkeys and so much more are waiting for
you right there!
Transportation: You don’t necessarily need a car to move around. There are trains, trolleys, bikes –
just so many options to get around, so that a car is not a must. You can read a good book while going
somewhere, listen to podcasts or just music, and not worry about having to put all of your attention
on the road. And the airport provides flights to many destinations around the world and in the USA
so you can still visit friends and family any time you want.
People in San Diego are kind, nice and friendly. Once you relocate there, you will easily be able to
find new friends and you will quickly begin to feel like home again!

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WHERE IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE TODAY?
The ideal candidate will likely come from a Christian school, but the right leader may come from
a variety of vocations or careers as long as the person has passion for and some experience with
Christian education. Candidate may approximate one of these descriptions. This list is not meant to
be exhaustive but rather to encourage potential candidates to understand the breadth of experiences
that may fit well in this position:
• A successful school leader who has led a Christian school of 300+ students
• A successful school leader who has been an assistant Head or an administrator for at least 4 years
with significant leadership responsibilities
• A successful private or public school teacher who believes strongly in Christian education, has a
solid educational background, and has a significant understanding of non-profits, boards, and
fundraising. This person may have had management and/or fundraising responsibilities at some
other point in his/her career.
• A college or university leader with robust secondary school leadership experience and a
commitment to Christian education.
PROCESS OF CANDIDACY
If, after reading this Opportunity Profile, you sense that your experience is an initially good match
for CUSSD, we invite you to begin the inquiry process. We handle all candidate information and
conversations confidentially. You may contact Laura Coverstone at any stage of the process for more
information and to ask questions (see contact information below).
Please provide the following for review:
• A current resume
• Responses to the following essay questions:
1. Please share your personal faith story and your philosophy of Christian education.
2. Using what you have learned about CUSSD from the website, this Opportunity Profile, and any
other research you have conducted, describe how your life and career have prepared you to lead
CUSSD’s Upper School. (i.e. Why is CUSSD attractive to you and why might you be a good fit?)
• Provide the names and contact information (telephone numbers and email addresses) for four
references who know you and your career well enough to comment on your suitability for the
Upper School Director position at CUSSD. (References will only be contacted after we have
requested and received your permission to do so.)
Submit this information in one document or .pdf to:
Laura Coverstone
JobfitMatters
resumes@simainternational.com
Phone: 615-261-4623
In the subject line of the email, please write “CUSSD Upper School Director”.