Head of School

The Head of School serves as the school’s chief executive. Their responsibilities encompass both strategic and operational responsibilities to ensure the institutional health of the school. They lead through collaboration and relationship, which extends to the administrative team and faculty as well as the dedicated parent community. The Head of School ensures daily life embodies the vision and mission of The Grammar School (TGS), advances the goals of the Strategic Plan (in collaboration with the Board of Trustees), and serves as the primary spokesperson representing the school in the community. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Ensure the school’s mission is central to all aspects of TGS programming and embody and represent the mission of the school, including reflecting the principles of equity, justice, and the dignity of each individual.
• Work in partnership with the Board of Trustees to achieve goals set out in the Strategic Plan, inspiring confidence and momentum to bring it to life. 
• In conjunction with the Board of Trustees, carry out, review, and revise school policies.
• Serve as a liaison to the Board of Trustees, keeping them informed on all aspects of the school’s operation.
• Understand educational trends including in the local and regional educational landscape to ensure the long-term success of TGS in our geographic market.
• Forge and strengthen relationships within the TGS community and beyond. 
• Provide effective leadership and management, and ensure accountability of administrative staff through strategies such as communicating expectations and priorities, ensuring there are sufficient supports and resources for their responsibilities, and nurturing strengths and interests to grow in their roles. 
• Address questions and concerns brought forward in a manner that is consistent with TGS values, policies, and practices. 
• Listen to parents and community members with compassion, while also being able to problem-solve and hold firm boundaries when necessary to protect the mission and integrity of the school.

Advancement and Fiscal Leadership

• Develop and manage the annual school budget in collaboration with the Board of Trustees.
• Ensure a solid financial platform upon which budgets and  operations are based.
• Provide leadership for strategic financial planning with a long-term view, grounded in both fiscal discipline and creativity, to ensure stability and excellent student experience.
• Strengthen enrollment through retention of current families.
• Build a vibrant outreach and engagement program that secures mission-aligned students and sufficient net tuition revenue to fund the school's operations.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative of the school to the broader community.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Lead fundraising efforts and development initiatives in partnership with the Board and Advancement Office.
• Lead the effort to explore, and develop if indicated, a capital campaign, focused on campus improvements.  

Student, Program, and Faculty Support

• Provide clear, decisive, and consistent decision-making in a timely manner that is communicated clearly and grounded in transparent reasoning.
• Recruit, hire, and retain teaching and administrative staff that are committed to the values and goals of TGS.
• Actively cultivate an empowering, collaborative, and joyful school culture for students and staff.
• Provide leadership in shaping the school’s programs (academic, athletic, and other extracurricular offerings).
• Develop and support mentorship programs for newer faculty.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students, ensuring that TGS lives up to its values in practical and meaningful ways.
• Create cohesion across grades and clearly communicate what makes our approach unique and effective.
• Provide critical leadership in matters of student discipline policies and procedures.
• Ensure effective communication with families regarding student progress and school activities. 

Operations and Facilities Administration

• Oversee maintenance of the school’s physical environments, ensuring that they are safe and in compliance with all state, local, and certification requirements. 
• Improve physical accessibility of the school.
• Ensure all policies and practices adhere to NEASC accreditation requirements.
• Provide administrative leadership so daily operations are organized and well-resourced to support all aspects of TGS programming.
• Identify and support the implementation of cost-effective solutions to operational needs.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The next Head of School is an inspiring leader with relevant experience who can commit to embodying the mission and values of The Grammar School. They should be:

• A mission-driven educator who authentically connects with TGS's progressive, nature-based, arts-integrated approach and can articulate its value compellingly
• A collaborative leader comfortable working in a transparent, participatory community while maintaining appropriate leadership authority
• Financially savvy with experience in budget development, resource management, and fundraising stewardship
• A relationship builder who can connect with students, faculty, families, trustees, and the broader community
• Strategic and entrepreneurial with vision for sustainable growth while honoring the school's intimate scale and distinctive character
• An experienced administrator who can manage the operational complexity of a pre-K through 8th grade school with a “small but mighty” administrative team 

Committed to equity and inclusion with ability to advance these values in a small, rural school context