The Association of Colorado Independent Schools
INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL
The Association of Colorado Independent Schools, Denver, Colorado, United States,
ACIS accredits, supports, and advances the interests of Colorado independent schools.
Friends School Mission: Creating positive impact in the world by challenging minds, nurturing spirits and honoring individuality.
School Size & Configuration:
Pre-K Through 8th Grade; ~160 Students
Two Boulder campuses, Lower school (PreK - 5th), Middle School (6th - 8th)
Why is the school seeking an interim head of school?
After a tenure of 7 years, the current Head of School will be leaving Friends after the 2024-2025 academic year to take a position closer to family on the East Coast.
Start and end dates for the position:
July 1st (or earlier) to June 30, 2026. Salary Range:
Salary range for this 100% FTE position is $165,000 - $235,000 and pay is commensurate with experience, degree, and position. Search timeline:
Materials are due by December 13, 2024. On-location interviews and school visits in mid-late January. Decision made in early February 2025. Requested application materials:
Resume, list of references, and short statement of talents specifically suited for the interim HOS position. Applications should be sent to: Dave Boennighausen (Friends Board Trustee and Search Committee Chair) at dboennighausen@fsbboard.org Expectations for the interim head of school: The Interim Head of School will support a smooth leadership transition and ensure continuity in Friends School’s commitment to academic and social-emotional learning, community building, and excellence in teaching and learning. Sustained excellence centers on hiring and supporting outstanding faculty and staff, ensuring that the school develops and allocates financial resources in alignment with its long-term health and success, and providing inspired leadership, organizational management, and collaboration among the school’s multiple constituencies (students and their families, faculty and staff, Community Board, Founder Trustees, and alumni). SCHOOL CULTURE:
Provide inspired leadership of a school culture grounded in the school’s historical values and success while actively fostering a professional growth focused culture, continuous improvement of the school’s educational climate and programs, and a vibrant and welcoming school community. SCHOOL MISSION, VISION AND PHILOSOPHY:
Articulate and actively promote the school’s mission, vision, and philosophy in highly visible ways to all constituencies of the school community. FACULTY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND CURRICULUM:
Attract and continuously develop world-class teachers, and consistently develop and deliver excellent educational programs in accordance with the school’s mission. ADMINISTRATION:
Develop and maintain an administrative organization and related systems which effectively and efficiently support the school’s educational programs. FINANCE, OPERATIONS, AND PHYSICAL PLANT:
Develop and maintain financial and operational practices that promote the financial sustainability and the physical security of the school’s learning environments in both the short and long terms. DEVELOPMENT:
Inspire monetary and volunteer support for the school’s mission and programs from all constituencies of the school community. ADMISSIONS:
Identify and enroll mission-appropriate students who, together with their families, will make positive contributions to the school community, and strive for full enrollment by nurturing retention and managing a strong admissions function. COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING:
Ensure that the school communicates effectively and consistently to all constituencies to promote the school’s programs and facilitate their smooth functioning. TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM:
Sustain a comprehensive graduate training program that inspires and prepares aspiring teachers to be exceptional educators in tomorrow’s classrooms. BOARD AND FOUNDERS:
Actively participate in effective working relationships with the Community Board and the Founder Trustees, with awareness of the respective roles and responsibilities, and help ensure communication between the Community Board/Founders and all constituencies of the school community. GREATER COMMUNITY:
Establish and strengthen Friends’ presence as an effective and innovative leader in the broader educational community. Desired Characteristics: The following general requirements, skills and characteristics are viewed as conducive to success in this role, while recognizing that each Head of School brings individual strengths, experience, and contributions to the school. Requirements: Master’s degree Leadership experience as a head of school, divisional/program head, and/or administrator in independent, charter or public schools Teaching experience strongly preferred Skills: Identify, attract, and develop outstanding teachers, educators, and staff Understand school strengths and environmental conditions and apply that understanding to strategic leadership of the school in partnership with the Community Board Galvanize teams in pursuit of common goals and direction Understand middle, elementary, and early childhood educational best practices Excellent communications skills – oral and written; Effectively communicate the value of the school’s programs Ability to cultivate fundraising and admissions among school parents and in community Actively pursues own professional/personal growth and effectively manages and champions continuous professional development for teachers and staff Excellent administrative, organizational and planning skills Sound management of the school’s short-term and long-term financial resources Characteristics & values: Passion for educating children to lead healthy, happy, learning and contributing lives Genuine love for the school’s community and culture, and dedication to its excellence Comfortable and instinctive in leading a complex and multi-constituent team environment Honest and ethical with deep sense of integrity People person – caring, invested in others’ success, sense of humor, thoughtful, balanced, collaborative Inclusive and committed to developing a diverse faculty and student population. Learner – curious, reflective, humble, willing to ask for help, exhibits growth mindset Broad thinker with global consciousness and interest in implementing environmentally sustainable best practices
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July 1st (or earlier) to June 30, 2026. Salary Range:
Salary range for this 100% FTE position is $165,000 - $235,000 and pay is commensurate with experience, degree, and position. Search timeline:
Materials are due by December 13, 2024. On-location interviews and school visits in mid-late January. Decision made in early February 2025. Requested application materials:
Resume, list of references, and short statement of talents specifically suited for the interim HOS position. Applications should be sent to: Dave Boennighausen (Friends Board Trustee and Search Committee Chair) at dboennighausen@fsbboard.org Expectations for the interim head of school: The Interim Head of School will support a smooth leadership transition and ensure continuity in Friends School’s commitment to academic and social-emotional learning, community building, and excellence in teaching and learning. Sustained excellence centers on hiring and supporting outstanding faculty and staff, ensuring that the school develops and allocates financial resources in alignment with its long-term health and success, and providing inspired leadership, organizational management, and collaboration among the school’s multiple constituencies (students and their families, faculty and staff, Community Board, Founder Trustees, and alumni). SCHOOL CULTURE:
Provide inspired leadership of a school culture grounded in the school’s historical values and success while actively fostering a professional growth focused culture, continuous improvement of the school’s educational climate and programs, and a vibrant and welcoming school community. SCHOOL MISSION, VISION AND PHILOSOPHY:
Articulate and actively promote the school’s mission, vision, and philosophy in highly visible ways to all constituencies of the school community. FACULTY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND CURRICULUM:
Attract and continuously develop world-class teachers, and consistently develop and deliver excellent educational programs in accordance with the school’s mission. ADMINISTRATION:
Develop and maintain an administrative organization and related systems which effectively and efficiently support the school’s educational programs. FINANCE, OPERATIONS, AND PHYSICAL PLANT:
Develop and maintain financial and operational practices that promote the financial sustainability and the physical security of the school’s learning environments in both the short and long terms. DEVELOPMENT:
Inspire monetary and volunteer support for the school’s mission and programs from all constituencies of the school community. ADMISSIONS:
Identify and enroll mission-appropriate students who, together with their families, will make positive contributions to the school community, and strive for full enrollment by nurturing retention and managing a strong admissions function. COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING:
Ensure that the school communicates effectively and consistently to all constituencies to promote the school’s programs and facilitate their smooth functioning. TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM:
Sustain a comprehensive graduate training program that inspires and prepares aspiring teachers to be exceptional educators in tomorrow’s classrooms. BOARD AND FOUNDERS:
Actively participate in effective working relationships with the Community Board and the Founder Trustees, with awareness of the respective roles and responsibilities, and help ensure communication between the Community Board/Founders and all constituencies of the school community. GREATER COMMUNITY:
Establish and strengthen Friends’ presence as an effective and innovative leader in the broader educational community. Desired Characteristics: The following general requirements, skills and characteristics are viewed as conducive to success in this role, while recognizing that each Head of School brings individual strengths, experience, and contributions to the school. Requirements: Master’s degree Leadership experience as a head of school, divisional/program head, and/or administrator in independent, charter or public schools Teaching experience strongly preferred Skills: Identify, attract, and develop outstanding teachers, educators, and staff Understand school strengths and environmental conditions and apply that understanding to strategic leadership of the school in partnership with the Community Board Galvanize teams in pursuit of common goals and direction Understand middle, elementary, and early childhood educational best practices Excellent communications skills – oral and written; Effectively communicate the value of the school’s programs Ability to cultivate fundraising and admissions among school parents and in community Actively pursues own professional/personal growth and effectively manages and champions continuous professional development for teachers and staff Excellent administrative, organizational and planning skills Sound management of the school’s short-term and long-term financial resources Characteristics & values: Passion for educating children to lead healthy, happy, learning and contributing lives Genuine love for the school’s community and culture, and dedication to its excellence Comfortable and instinctive in leading a complex and multi-constituent team environment Honest and ethical with deep sense of integrity People person – caring, invested in others’ success, sense of humor, thoughtful, balanced, collaborative Inclusive and committed to developing a diverse faculty and student population. Learner – curious, reflective, humble, willing to ask for help, exhibits growth mindset Broad thinker with global consciousness and interest in implementing environmentally sustainable best practices
#J-18808-Ljbffr