Head of Middle School

Job Title: Head of Middle School, Full-time, Salaried
Department: Administration
Reports to: Interim Head of School

Friends Community School (FCS), founded in 1986, is a progressive, co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

Educators at FCS nurture lifelong learners, courageous risk takers, and joyous peacemakers through the expression of our commitments to Quakerism, Progressive Education, equity, and inclusion. Our progressive pedagogical approach emphasizes depth over breadth, creativity and innovation over memorization, and hands-on collaborative projects over rote schoolwork. Our curriculum engages students in the exploration of values rooted in our Quaker Heritage – simplicity, peaceful conflict resolution, integrity, community, equality/equity, and stewardship – from a range of perspectives.

Job Summary

The Head of the Middle School has significant responsibilities for shaping the direction of educational programs for grades 5-8. Within the Middle School, the Head oversees curriculum development and review; coaches, supervises, and evaluates teachers; communicates with and among Middle School teachers, students, and families; schedules the academic day and activities; and contributes to the school’s admissions goals. The Head of the Middle School is a member of the Administrative Team and reports directly to the Interim Head of School.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Acts as the educational leader of the Middle School and is responsible for its day-to-day operation

Participates in all administrative meetings in support of Middle School teachers and students, and in support of the school’s mission overall
Contributes to Student Support Committee meetings
Manages the budget for the Middle School
Coordinates the daily schedule with the Head of the Lower School
Develops vision for Middle School curriculum and instruction
Represents Middle School in curriculum committee conversations and decisions in all academic areas, working closely with Curriculum Coordinators
Supports, supervises, and evaluates all academic and co-curricular teachers who teach in the Middle School
Maintains records of performance evaluations of teachers
Encourages and supervises Middle School teachers’ professional development
Completes and maintains all Blackbaud tasks related to the Middle School including enrollment in classes, scheduling, and progress reports
Conducts levels and division meetings in the manner of Friends
Produces Middle School student, teacher, and co-curricular teaching schedules and other schedules that contribute to the smooth operation of the Middle School
Produces a regular overview of activities and curriculum for Middle School parents
Reviews and edits as necessary all progress reports for Middle School
Coordinates with the Head of School, staff, parents, and secondary schools to place FCS graduates into appropriate high schools
Speaks for the Middle School; writes a bi-weekly newsletter to Middle School parents
Orchestrates 8^th grade graduation including rehearsals, and reception
Collaborates with Lower School Head and Learning Specialists to determine placement for rising 5^th grade student

Ensures communication across constituencies

Communicates directly with parents on serious disciplinary issues
Represents the Middle School in the admissions process
Works in partnership with all members of the teaching team and the administration
Communicates proactively and responsively with individual families
Completes all progress reports and student recommendations in a professional and timely manner, emphasizing the individual strengths and challenges for each student
Writes letters of recommendation, particularly for 8th-grade students applying to high school programs
Represents FCS at hiring fairs and works with Head of School in hiring Middle School faculty

Continuously integrates the school’s commitment to Quakerism, Progressive Education, and Equity in your classroom

Participates in weekly staff meetings
Engages in continuous, ongoing professional development as necessary
Collaborates with colleagues in professional learning communities
Partners with the Head of the Lower School to facilitate cross divisional peer-to-peer relationships among middle and lower school students
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications Desired and/or Required

Genuine love for children, especially middle schoolers
Bachelor’s degree (required), Advanced degree (preferred)
Strong background as a middle school teacher
Minimum of three years of administrative experience (division headship preferred)
Understanding of child development
Commitment to Progressive Education and to equity and inclusion
Affinity with Quaker beliefs and practices
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to collaborate with coworkers and other school community members

Commitment to Diversity
FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, we actively seek faculty and staff of varied backgrounds and encourage them to share their unique gifts to cultivate a rich educational experience. We strive to create a learning environment that exposes students to the value and breadth of differences, informs their perspective, and prepares them to shape the world.

Please send a cover letter, résumé, educational philosophy, and the names and contact information of three professional references to jobs@friendscommunityschool.org.

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