Onward Scholars Program
Program Director for St. Mary’s Academy
Start Date: July 1, 2025
Non-Profit Program serving 252 students in six
Los Angeles Catholic schools
Grades 9-12
Los Angeles, California
Program Director for St. Mary's Academy Search for Onward Scholars Program
Educators Collaborative is pleased to support the Onward Scholars Program in its search for a Program Director for St. Mary’s Academy. Onward Scholars is a non-profit program serving students in grades 9-12 in six Catholic schools in Los Angeles.
About the Onward Scholars Program: The Premier High School Student Success Program
The journey to fulfilling dreams starts with Onward Scholars. Made possible through the support of The John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation, the Onward Scholars Program (OSP) is a competitive scholarship and enrichment program for selected high school students with strong academic backgrounds. OSP provides a unique four-year pathway to success for exceptional students who demonstrate great promise, motivation, and impactful leadership. The three main components of the Onward Scholars Program are scholarship, mentorship, and college access. Please refer to this website to learn more: https://onwardscholars.org.
The Position
The Program Director (PD) is charged with performing a variety of duties related to recruiting and mentoring the Onward Scholars at St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic, college preparatory high school in Inglewood, CA. The Program Director will primarily focus on recruiting and mentoring Scholars. Recruiting occurs through presentations at neighboring elementary and middle schools and networking with community partners. The PD is also responsible for establishing new partnerships with local organizations. The OSP program at St. Mary’s Academy has 48 students, 12 in each grade. The Program Director works collaboratively with the admissions and counseling staffs, the Head of School at St. Mary’s Academy as well the Onward Scholars Director of College Access and the other Onward Scholars Program Directors at St. Pius X- St. Matthias Academy, Cathedral High School, Salesian High School, St. Anthony High School, and Sacred Heart High School. Finally, depending on abilities and interests, the PD is expected to contribute to the life of the school by sharing through their participation in co-curricular activities.
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The John H. & Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation
The Smet Foundation was established in 1992 and focuses primarily on education in large part because the Smets recognize and appreciate the many ways that education shaped their lives at work, at home, and in the community. Specifically, through the Onward Scholars Program, the Foundation seeks to transform underserved communities in the Los Angeles area by providing scholarship assistance to select high school students who excel in academics and leadership. Additionally, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Department of Catholic Schools, the Smet Foundation sponsors a variety of leadership, professional development, and scholarship programs outlined at https://www.smetfoundation.org/.
St. Mary's Academy
Since 1889, St. Mary’s Academy has educated young women from the Los Angeles Community in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Graduates from St. Mary’s Academy are shaped to be women of distinction who are committed to lifelong learning and service to the “dear neighbor.” St. Mary’s Academy serves a religiously, culturally, and economically diverse enrollment population. Approximately 47% of students are Latina, 44% African American, 9% Multicultural and Other. St. Mary’s Academy has a long history of educating young women from the Los Angeles and Inglewood communities. The distinctive characteristics of a St. Mary’s education are based in the conviction that a young woman finds character and expression in service of others. This education promotes the formation and integral development of young women from various backgrounds and cultures and provides opportunities for the development of contemporary leadership while preserving the spirit that has made St. Mary’s Academy unique.
Mission: St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic, private, college preparatory high school for young women, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, shapes women of distinction who are committed to lifelong learning and service to the “dear neighbor”.
St. Mary’s Academy is committed to forming a Christian community that nurtures and challenges each young woman to attain her full potential. This effort is consistently characterized by respect for the individual, service to the “dear neighbor,” academic excellence; preparation for higher education and the empowerment of young women who are inspired to take their places in an ever-changing world.
To learn more about St. Mary’s Academy please visit www.smabelles.org
Application Materials Requested
Interested candidates should submit the following materials to Marcus Hurlbut, EC Partner and search consultant.
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Marcus, search consultant, for the document)
- Letter of Interest
- Current résumé
- Contact information for five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)
- A one-page statement discussing the barriers that might stand in the way of success for Onward Scholars and how those barriers should be approached
- A list of 5 references including contact information
Marcus Hurlbut, Partner, Educators Collaborative,
Listing Date: March 18, 2025
Non-Discrimination Statement: The John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate based on an individual’s race, sex, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, genetic characteristics and information, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Work Schedule, Salary and Benefits: This is a 12-month position with a salary in the $80,00-$100,000 range and a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, 401(k), and a performance-based bonus (for full benefits sheet contact Marcus Hurlbut).
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