Secondary School Principal
ALAJUELA, CR
Country Day is an international school at the heart of Costa Rica with outstanding US-accredited academics, and part of Nord Anglia family of premium schools worldwide. On our sustainable campus and within our welcoming, diverse community, our students take the lead and pursue their passions.
Our teachers focus on all aspects of our student’s growth, from Early Learning to 12th grade, to support their talents and aptitudes in the best ways, and this includes their personal, social, and emotional wellness. Our trips beyond the classroom, clubs, and activities across the arts, athletics, and community service shape your child’s character in connection with their academic interests. Students take the lead in their own learning at CDS, sharing their needs and goals as people, and carving out their own path.
Job Description
Country Day School (CDS) in Costa Rica seeks a visionary, human-centered instructional leader to serve as Secondary School Principal (Grades 6–12). Rooted in The CDS Way and our vision for learning: Everyone Grows. Everyone Exceeds, this role is designed for an educator who leads with purpose, compassion, and courage. We are looking for someone who understands that great schools are built on relationships; someone who knows how to create systems that lift people up, open doors to equitable learning, and bring coherence to a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community.
As a key member of the Instructional and Schoolwide Leadership Team, the Secondary School Principal will work in close partnership with colleagues to ensure alignment, innovation, and sustained growth across the school. The ideal candidate brings a deep knowledge of evidence-based teaching and learning, a systems-oriented mindset, and a passion for developing the talents and capacities of others. This leader will model emotional intelligence, demonstrate unwavering integrity, and uphold CDS’s core values of Integrity, Safety, Humanity, and a Student-Centered Stance.
This is a role for a relational leader—someone who believes in people, believes in possibilities, and believes that students thrive when adults work collectively with clarity, care, and purpose. The Secondary School Principal will be both strategist and connector: able to design, implement, and refine systems while inspiring a culture of joy, belonging, and excellence where every learner can grow and exceed.
Please review full job description here: Country Day School - Secondary School Principal.pdf
Required Skills/Abilities
The ideal candidate holds a master’s degree (or higher) in Educational Leadership, Administration, or a related field, with at least five years of successful leadership experience in secondary education—international school experience preferred. They bring demonstrated expertise in instructional leadership, curriculum design, and teacher development, along with a proven commitment to advancing inclusion and supporting diverse learners. The candidate should possess strong intercultural competence and the ability to lead in a multilingual, multicultural environment. Deep knowledge of MTSS, UDL, and evidence-based pedagogical frameworks such as UbD, NGSS, and AERO is essential, as are exceptional interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.
All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.
We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.