Lower School Director

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES

Khan Lab School in Palo Alto, CA, has engaged DovetailED to lead a search for a Lower School Director to start in July 2026. Interested candidates should review the Opportunity Statement and submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references as a consolidated PDF to Madison Sunley, Senior Recruiter at DovetailED Talent Sourcing (madison@dovetailedsourcing.com).

ABOUT KHAN LAB SCHOOL

Khan Lab School (KLS) is an independent, nonprofit, co‑educational school founded by Sal Khan in 2014 to reimagine education for the future. Inspired by The One World Schoolhouse, KLS brings mastery‑based, student‑centered learning to life. Today, Khan Lab School operates two schools, serving over 300 students in its flagship Silicon Valley, CA campus and 30+ students in its newly opened campus in Wichita, KS. The school has a long history of strong financial management, with $12M in annual revenue, $4.5M in reserves, no debt, and clean annual audits. The Lower School (Grades TK‑5) has an enrollment of around 150 students.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Lower School Director is a key member of Khan Lab School's leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director and serving as a mastery‑based learning visionary who inspires students and staff alike. This pivotal role combines academic and operational leadership with a passion for reimagining education, requiring a technically savvy, hands‑on player / coach and leader with proven experience as an academic leader in innovative school environments who actively supports both teachers and students through direct engagement, whether it be teaching a class, leading an advisory group, or conducting classroom observations. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional creative problem‑solving skills and adaptability to develop personalized educational pathways, coupled with outstanding communication abilities to engage effectively with students, parents, and faculty.

Beyond managing the Lower School program, Extended Day, and Summer Programs, when offered, this leader will champion innovative teaching methods including AI integration, lead teacher evaluation, professional development initiatives, and contribute to school‑wide strategic projects such as defining the Early Childhood program and developing curriculum mapping efforts. This position is designed for an educational leader who is deeply committed to fostering a culture that believes in students' exceptional potential, advocates for radically different approaches to education, and thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment where anything is possible when decisions are made through a lens of what's best for the students.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic & Operational Leadership

• Lead all daily operations of the Lower School program, including the creation of the school's academic schedule, calendar, and other key documents.
• Work strategically with the Admissions team to establish clear enrollment targets and growth milestones, ensuring sustainable program expansion.
• Oversee the Extended Day & Summer Programs with accountability for quality, enrollment, and operational efficiency.
• Actively co‑create a school culture with teachers and students.
• Champion the implementation of mastery‑based learning across the Lower School, in partnership with the founder and leadership team, ensuring consistent pedagogy and student outcomes alignment.
• Model and mentor teachers in the strategic use of AI and innovative teaching methods to enhance personalized learning.
• Cultivate an environment of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.
• Lead by example such as teaching a class or leading an advisory group.
• Manage student disciplinary actions including major infractions.

Student Support

Faculty Support

Operations & Finance

Human Resources & Staff Development

Community Building & Communications

Special Projects & Strategic Initiatives

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERIENCE

PHYSICAL WORK REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION

WHAT WE OFFER

Khan Lab School is a community of learners and partners who have a deep commitment to their work. We get things done and believe that in our highly collaborative environment, anything is possible. All our decisions are made through the lens of what is best for our students. We tackle tough questions without ego, are results‑oriented, and have high expectations for school and our students.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit the following :

PAY & BENEFITS

Khan Lab School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disabilities, medical conditions (including medical history or genetic characteristics), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws and / or regulations.

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