Description

Position Overview
The Head of Middle School serves as the educational and administrative leader for grades 5–8, responsible for cultivating a dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for all aspects of the Middle School, including curriculum, instruction, student life, faculty development, and community engagement. The Head of Middle School works collaboratively with school leadership to ensure that the division’s programs align with the school’s mission, values, and long-term goals.

Essential Functions:

Instructional Leadership

• Provide ongoing direction, mentorship, and evaluation for faculty through regular classroom observations, feedback, and professional coaching.
• Champion best practices in teaching and learning, ensuring high academic standards and innovation.
• Oversee division leaders for curriculum development, implementation, and review across all subject areas.
• Manage division-level academic schedules, teaching assignments, and faculty workloads.

Faculty and Staff Support

• Lead and facilitate regular faculty meetings to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and goal alignment.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Associate Head to design and deliver meaningful professional development.
• Manage recruitment, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, and retention of faculty and staff in coordination with Human Resources.

Student Experience and Well-Being

• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and safe environment that prioritizes students’ academic success and personal growth.
• Address student behavioral and social-emotional needs proactively through collaboration with counselors and families.
• Oversee student conduct, attendance, and discipline in alignment with the school’s mission and values with students and families regarding expectations and outcomes.
• Approve and oversee all student trips and off-campus experiences, ensuring best practices for safety and supervision.

Administrative and Operational Management

• Manage the Middle School’s daily operations, including schedules, substitute coverage, events, conferences, and communications.
• Develop and oversee the Middle School budget, ensuring responsible management of resources.
• Support admissions, re-enrollment, and orientation efforts in partnership with the Admissions Director.
• Maintain accurate student records and ensure compliance with all relevant policies and regulations.
• Collaborate with Facilities and Auxiliary Services to ensure a well-maintained and engaging campus environment, including after-school and summer programs.

Community Engagement and School Leadership

• Serve as a visible and accessible presence in the school community; attend events, performances, athletic competitions, and student activities.
• Collaborate with the Athletic Director to ensure that middle school athletics reflect the school’s mission and promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and balance.
• Coordinate annual testing plans and communication with parents and with the Director of Testing.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director and Associate Heads of School to advance divisional and institutional goals.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Requirements

Qualifications & Skills:

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in middle school education, including prior administrative or assistant leadership, and 5 years of classroom teaching, preferrably grades 5-8.
• Proven ability to lead and inspire faculty, support students’ academic and social-emotional growth, and foster meaningful parent partnerships.
• Experience with class scheduling preferred.
• Ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple tasks in a fast-moving environement.
• Exceptional communication skills; verbal, written, and interpersonal.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaborative leadership style grounded in empathy, integrity, and optimism.