The Association of Colorado Independent Schools
Head of School
The Association of Colorado Independent Schools, Evergreen, Colorado, United States, 80439
ACIS accredits, supports, and advances the interests of Colorado independent schools.Montessori School of Evergreen is seeking a dynamic educational leader for the 2025-26 school year who will embrace the unique culture of our school and make a long-term commitment to advance it with energy and enthusiasm.Montessori School of Evergreen (MSE) is a non-profit day school serving students Toddler – Eighth Grade. MSE is fully accredited by both the American Montessori Society and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools.JOB TITLE: Head of SchoolREPORTS TO: Board of TrusteesSUPERVISES: A Leadership Committee of 6 Administrative Directors and 5 Program CoordinatorsJOB SUMMARY
The Head of School oversees, organizes, directs and performs varied administrative responsibilities with confidentiality and sensitivity. They play a crucial leadership role in fostering a positive and supportive work environment for our dedicated team of Administrative Directors, Program Coordinators, Faculty, Staff, and Parents.The following outline is intended to be a list of basic responsibilities for the Head of School position at MSE. Duties include but are not limited to the written contents of this document.Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
Develops strategic and tactical plans for the school.Encourages perspective via testing, comparisons with similar institutions, and external analyses and critiques.Remains abreast of trends and research in education, particularly those affecting independent school operation and educational leadership.
Operations
Keeps the Board fully informed of the matters, needs, and operations of the school.Serves as the chief communicator between the Board and the faculty.Creates an appropriate and strong management team that is prepared to lead the school should the HOS become incapacitated.Practices and maintains effective communication at all levels.Works to produce smooth day-to-day internal operations.Holds general responsibility for the safety and well-being of all students.Approves and administers rules and procedures governing the student body.Works to promote harmonious relationships among students, faculty and staff.Strives to create and maintain an aesthetically attractive school environment.
Program Implementation
Meets with Directors and Program Coordinators to ensure high-quality implementation of Montessori curriculum across all levels.Meets with staff monthly to strengthen the MSE culture and to provide visibility and transparency.Works with staff to identify curriculum needs related to teaching materials, faculty, and program support.As the face of MSE, regularly attends events.Works with the Board, the Director of Admissions and Director of Enrollment Management to administer standards and procedures for admission and dismissals.Recommends enrollment objectives and executes programs to achieve them.Actively engages with current and prospective families.
Personnel
Defines the faculty and staff positions needed to implement the school’s program.Recruits highly effective teachers and staff to fill such positions.Establishes productive working conditions, discipline, training and development of all professional staff.Assures the staff understand and share the school’s Montessori philosophy and goals.Determines standards and takes appropriate steps to measure and maintain reasonable performance and growth among immediate subordinates.Dismisses faculty and staff who fail to meet such standards.Establishes practices and procedures to promote harmonious and constructive relationships among staff; consciously works to establish an atmosphere of team building and planning; follows a collaborative managerial style rather than authoritarian.
Finance
Works closely with the Director of Finance & Operations, prepares a complete annual budget proposal for submission to the Board.Ensures the available financial resources are carefully managed within the budgetary guidelines.Prepares monthly financial statements to the Board concerning the school’s financial health, including enrollment and retention reporting.Ensures all student accounts are current.Works on annual engagement (both internal and external) and fundraising goals.
Community Relations
Encourages meaningful alumni, parent, and past parent participation in events to aid and support the goals of the school.Responds to special interest groups and provides direction while stressing student needs.Interprets the school and its programs for the public and strives to personify the institution.Serves as primary spokesperson for the school.Is an effective representative of MSE in the greater Evergreen community, increasing MSE visibility and presence.
Professional and Personal Growth
Models lifelong-learning and professional development, meets MSE professional development requirements. Commitment to, and interest in, the Montessori philosophy.Attends and reports professional development workshops inside or outside of school.Creates yearly professional and personal goals to be discussed with the Board of Directors and shared with other staff as needed.Demonstrates professionalism in every aspect of the job and adheres to AMS guidelines and professional standards.Practices the use of confidentiality as outlined in the MSE Employee Handbook.Follows protocols for managing information (i.e. attendance) and completing requests (i.e. purchase orders, supplies, personal days), etc., as detailed in the MSE Employee Handbook.Strong collaborative leadership, administrative and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, delegate appropriately, coach, or pitch-in.Demonstrated ability to build connections and relationships with parents and staff.3+ years Montessori experience.Demonstrated commitment to implementing Montessori philosophy and to ensuring that it remains central to the school’s program at every level.Willingness to learn about and preserve MSE’s rich history, traditions, and culture including experiential and service learning for students, social/emotional learning for students and staff, and opportunities for parent growth and education.Experience advocating for and inspiring teachers.Commitment to maximizing student enrollment and retention.Preferred Qualifications
Montessori credential (administrator or teacher).Experience overseeing Montessori curriculum and programs.Knowledge about current educational best practices and how and when to best integrate them into our Montessori framework.Experience with being a public figure, representing an organization.Ability and willingness to participate fully in the external aspects of school leadership, including playing a leadership role in marketing, fundraising and public speaking opportunities.Willingness to be visible, approachable, and present to staff.Ability to implement an actionable plan to achieve a strategic plan for a bright future.Experience with coaching and being coached, and being equally open to each.Commitment to ongoing professional development for themselves and staff.Strong business acumen including wise stewardship of financial, physical, and human resources.Track record of success in planning, budgeting, and financial management.Compensation range $100-150,000 annually, commensurate with experience and education.Benefits including healthcare, PTO and retirement.Tuition remission for MSE enrolled students of staff.MSE is an equal opportunity employer.CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AT MSE
Strengthening the MSE Community & Solidifying a United MSE Identity
Our Mission Statement is currently under development. Bring this work to fruition, ensuring that it is part of everything we do.MSE is in three unique buildings across two campuses. Work to minimize logistical issues and promote a united identity and cohesiveness.Work to strengthen our community by cultivating trust, inclusion, transparency and forward momentum.
Attracting and Retaining Families
The demographics of the area have changed in the last 10 years, and other independent schools, charter schools, and public schools in the mountain area offer robust competition. This has resulted in low enrollment in Upper Elementary and Middle School levels. Lower grades have higher enrollment.Work with MSE administration to support current recruitment and retention strategies and develop others.Increase awareness of the value of a Montessori education among current parents.Increase MSE visibility in the community.Ensure that enrollment operations run effectively and are targeted to the different segments we serve in our student population.Actively promote the MSE brand internally and externally.Make MSE more accessible to dual-income families and in financial need with more full and extended day options.Attract families of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Attracting and Retaining Faculty and Staff
Continue the work to attract top talent, especially as enrollment rises. Support each employee’s ability to create a learning environment grounded in Montessori philosophy and educational best practices, in part through ongoing professional development opportunities.
Implementation of Reaccreditation Recommendations
MSE was successfully reaccredited by AMS and ACIS in 2023 and is implementing the recommendations from the accrediting bodies. Support this ongoing process.
Building Relationships that Promote Effective Partnerships
A partnership has been established with Vertical Skills Academy, a school specializing in multi-sensory methods of working with children with dyslexia. This partnership provides educational support for some of our neurodivergent learners at no additional cost to parents. Explore similar partnerships to support neurodiverse learners and potentially to provide services for our families with before- and after-school programs.
To ApplyApplicants are required to submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, resume, AMS Administrative Leader Requirements Verification Rubric. Applicants are welcome to include a statement of educational philosophy and/or other supporting materials (e.g., articles or speeches) that would be useful to the Search Committee.For those candidates selected for an interview, three references and two letters of recommendation from sources other than the three references will be required. We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.Please submit the materials above in a single application email with attachments to hiring@montessori-evergreen.org. All inquiries will be treated confidentially, and review of candidate files will begin immediately upon receipt.
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The Head of School oversees, organizes, directs and performs varied administrative responsibilities with confidentiality and sensitivity. They play a crucial leadership role in fostering a positive and supportive work environment for our dedicated team of Administrative Directors, Program Coordinators, Faculty, Staff, and Parents.The following outline is intended to be a list of basic responsibilities for the Head of School position at MSE. Duties include but are not limited to the written contents of this document.Responsibilities
Strategic Planning
Develops strategic and tactical plans for the school.Encourages perspective via testing, comparisons with similar institutions, and external analyses and critiques.Remains abreast of trends and research in education, particularly those affecting independent school operation and educational leadership.
Operations
Keeps the Board fully informed of the matters, needs, and operations of the school.Serves as the chief communicator between the Board and the faculty.Creates an appropriate and strong management team that is prepared to lead the school should the HOS become incapacitated.Practices and maintains effective communication at all levels.Works to produce smooth day-to-day internal operations.Holds general responsibility for the safety and well-being of all students.Approves and administers rules and procedures governing the student body.Works to promote harmonious relationships among students, faculty and staff.Strives to create and maintain an aesthetically attractive school environment.
Program Implementation
Meets with Directors and Program Coordinators to ensure high-quality implementation of Montessori curriculum across all levels.Meets with staff monthly to strengthen the MSE culture and to provide visibility and transparency.Works with staff to identify curriculum needs related to teaching materials, faculty, and program support.As the face of MSE, regularly attends events.Works with the Board, the Director of Admissions and Director of Enrollment Management to administer standards and procedures for admission and dismissals.Recommends enrollment objectives and executes programs to achieve them.Actively engages with current and prospective families.
Personnel
Defines the faculty and staff positions needed to implement the school’s program.Recruits highly effective teachers and staff to fill such positions.Establishes productive working conditions, discipline, training and development of all professional staff.Assures the staff understand and share the school’s Montessori philosophy and goals.Determines standards and takes appropriate steps to measure and maintain reasonable performance and growth among immediate subordinates.Dismisses faculty and staff who fail to meet such standards.Establishes practices and procedures to promote harmonious and constructive relationships among staff; consciously works to establish an atmosphere of team building and planning; follows a collaborative managerial style rather than authoritarian.
Finance
Works closely with the Director of Finance & Operations, prepares a complete annual budget proposal for submission to the Board.Ensures the available financial resources are carefully managed within the budgetary guidelines.Prepares monthly financial statements to the Board concerning the school’s financial health, including enrollment and retention reporting.Ensures all student accounts are current.Works on annual engagement (both internal and external) and fundraising goals.
Community Relations
Encourages meaningful alumni, parent, and past parent participation in events to aid and support the goals of the school.Responds to special interest groups and provides direction while stressing student needs.Interprets the school and its programs for the public and strives to personify the institution.Serves as primary spokesperson for the school.Is an effective representative of MSE in the greater Evergreen community, increasing MSE visibility and presence.
Professional and Personal Growth
Models lifelong-learning and professional development, meets MSE professional development requirements. Commitment to, and interest in, the Montessori philosophy.Attends and reports professional development workshops inside or outside of school.Creates yearly professional and personal goals to be discussed with the Board of Directors and shared with other staff as needed.Demonstrates professionalism in every aspect of the job and adheres to AMS guidelines and professional standards.Practices the use of confidentiality as outlined in the MSE Employee Handbook.Follows protocols for managing information (i.e. attendance) and completing requests (i.e. purchase orders, supplies, personal days), etc., as detailed in the MSE Employee Handbook.Strong collaborative leadership, administrative and decision-making skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, delegate appropriately, coach, or pitch-in.Demonstrated ability to build connections and relationships with parents and staff.3+ years Montessori experience.Demonstrated commitment to implementing Montessori philosophy and to ensuring that it remains central to the school’s program at every level.Willingness to learn about and preserve MSE’s rich history, traditions, and culture including experiential and service learning for students, social/emotional learning for students and staff, and opportunities for parent growth and education.Experience advocating for and inspiring teachers.Commitment to maximizing student enrollment and retention.Preferred Qualifications
Montessori credential (administrator or teacher).Experience overseeing Montessori curriculum and programs.Knowledge about current educational best practices and how and when to best integrate them into our Montessori framework.Experience with being a public figure, representing an organization.Ability and willingness to participate fully in the external aspects of school leadership, including playing a leadership role in marketing, fundraising and public speaking opportunities.Willingness to be visible, approachable, and present to staff.Ability to implement an actionable plan to achieve a strategic plan for a bright future.Experience with coaching and being coached, and being equally open to each.Commitment to ongoing professional development for themselves and staff.Strong business acumen including wise stewardship of financial, physical, and human resources.Track record of success in planning, budgeting, and financial management.Compensation range $100-150,000 annually, commensurate with experience and education.Benefits including healthcare, PTO and retirement.Tuition remission for MSE enrolled students of staff.MSE is an equal opportunity employer.CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AT MSE
Strengthening the MSE Community & Solidifying a United MSE Identity
Our Mission Statement is currently under development. Bring this work to fruition, ensuring that it is part of everything we do.MSE is in three unique buildings across two campuses. Work to minimize logistical issues and promote a united identity and cohesiveness.Work to strengthen our community by cultivating trust, inclusion, transparency and forward momentum.
Attracting and Retaining Families
The demographics of the area have changed in the last 10 years, and other independent schools, charter schools, and public schools in the mountain area offer robust competition. This has resulted in low enrollment in Upper Elementary and Middle School levels. Lower grades have higher enrollment.Work with MSE administration to support current recruitment and retention strategies and develop others.Increase awareness of the value of a Montessori education among current parents.Increase MSE visibility in the community.Ensure that enrollment operations run effectively and are targeted to the different segments we serve in our student population.Actively promote the MSE brand internally and externally.Make MSE more accessible to dual-income families and in financial need with more full and extended day options.Attract families of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Attracting and Retaining Faculty and Staff
Continue the work to attract top talent, especially as enrollment rises. Support each employee’s ability to create a learning environment grounded in Montessori philosophy and educational best practices, in part through ongoing professional development opportunities.
Implementation of Reaccreditation Recommendations
MSE was successfully reaccredited by AMS and ACIS in 2023 and is implementing the recommendations from the accrediting bodies. Support this ongoing process.
Building Relationships that Promote Effective Partnerships
A partnership has been established with Vertical Skills Academy, a school specializing in multi-sensory methods of working with children with dyslexia. This partnership provides educational support for some of our neurodivergent learners at no additional cost to parents. Explore similar partnerships to support neurodiverse learners and potentially to provide services for our families with before- and after-school programs.
To ApplyApplicants are required to submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, resume, AMS Administrative Leader Requirements Verification Rubric. Applicants are welcome to include a statement of educational philosophy and/or other supporting materials (e.g., articles or speeches) that would be useful to the Search Committee.For those candidates selected for an interview, three references and two letters of recommendation from sources other than the three references will be required. We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.Please submit the materials above in a single application email with attachments to hiring@montessori-evergreen.org. All inquiries will be treated confidentially, and review of candidate files will begin immediately upon receipt.
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