Director of Middle School

Director Of Middle School

Grace Church School is a JK12, independent school located on two nearby campuses in downtown New York City. An Episcopal school, welcoming children of all faiths and of none, Grace believes in the inherent, precious dignity of every individual and seeks to provide an outstanding education worthy of our common humanity. Successful candidates will demonstrate a commitment to the Episcopal values of dignity and belonging.

Grace is a school of big ideas, and our structured curriculum promotes academic excellence through a pedagogy of joy : an approach that reflects our belief that joy is the fuel of academic achievement, and that students learn best when motivated by delight, wonder, curiosity, and purpose. We work hard to nurture a culture of dignity and belonging, and we seek to foster in each student skills of intellectual excellence and habits of ethical virtue. Grounded in tradition, the school remains ever open to innovation, looking to the best research on the science of learning and the craft of teaching to advance the timeless values and aspirations of our mission.

The position is for a Middle School Head who leads with clarity, empathy, and joy and demonstrates qualities of excellent leadership, including the ability to communicate clearly with a broad range of constituencies; demonstrates cultural competency; understand Grace's curriculum and support teachers in its effective implementation; cultivates trust through consistency, transparency, and care.

Grace is seeking someone who is flexible, discreet, and has a sense of humorsomeone who exudes warmth and delight in the daily life of the division. This person should be able to navigate difficult conversations with openness, honesty, and steady guidance. They should bring a strong and thoughtful approach to student discipline, grounded in helping children learn, repair, and grow. Whether in classrooms, hallways, or the dining room, they should model a "hands-on," present leadership style.

Most importantly, this person understands that the process of learning matters as much as the product. They attend to students' academic, social, and emotional development with equal care, creating a space where children feel safe, known, and supported as they navigate the inevitable teachable moments of adolescence. They should be supportive and confident, able to hold boundaries with compassion, and committed to helping students become their best selves.

The ideal candidate stays steady under pressure, brings a hopeful, growth-minded outlook, and truly delights in the everyday joys of Middle Schoolers.

Its specific duties include but are not limited to :

• Providing administrative oversight of the Middle School (Grades 5-8). This includes managing the faculty, organizing classes, monitoring curriculum, hiring substitutes, supervising the production of report cards, monitoring the scheduling of field trips, working with the Head of JK-8 to develop academic schedules, create class rosters, and oversee community block activities.
• Teaching of academic classes and modeling best practices in the classroom.
• In collaboration with the Dean of Faculty, conducting classroom observations of teachers and providing constructive feedback and coaching.
• In collaboration with the Dean of Faculty, leading the hiring teams for open Middle School positions, facilitating the process with an understanding of school policies and best practices around equity, fairness, and anti-bias.
• Leading all Middle School faculty meetings.
• Attend and help organize Middle School Chapel services.
• Maintaining standards for appropriate Middle School conduct.
• Monitor the academic, social, and emotional progress of every student in the division in partnership with the Deans, Learning Specialist, and Counselor.
• Serve on the JK8 Guidance Committee.
• Serving on the school-wide committees as assigned by the Head of School.
• Interview and assess applicants to the Middle School, working closely with the Admissions team.
• In partnership with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Community Engagement, working to support and advance the institutional commitment to dignity, belonging, and the school's Episcopal identity.
• Working with the Communications Department to produce communications for parents in the Middle School Division.
• Work seamlessly with faculty in all divisions, understanding how to advocate for the priorities of one division with an understanding of the needs and priorities of the whole school.

The school seeks an educator with Middle School teaching experience in an independent school. The person should have an advanced degree and some administrative experience.

This is a full-time faculty position with an expected base salary of $175,000-$210,000 commensurate with education and experience on the faculty salary scale.

Grace Church School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that equity and inclusion are not only hallmarks of a just society, but also virtues essential to sound learning. Our commitment to our mission calls on all faculty members to promote a culture of dignity and belonging for everyone at Grace. We encourage applications from candidates with broad and diverse backgrounds and from individuals of all races, nationalities, identities, and religious and non-religious traditions, and beliefs.

Interested applicants can apply by submitting a rsum and cover letter through the employment page of our school website.