Lower School Principal

Lower School Principal

Milton Academy seeks a collaborative, empathetic, and visionary principal to lead its dynamic 165-student Lower School (grades K-5). Reporting to the Head of School, the Lower School Principal is a full-time position responsible for leading and managing all aspects of our joyful, child-centered, and highly diverse Lower School. The Principal also serves as a key member of the school's Leadership Team, collaborating with other members of Milton's K12 administration, including the principals of the other two divisions.

A proven educator with significant classroom experience, the Lower School Principal must be deeply committed to the education of young children, while also possessing excellent leadership, management, communication, delegation, and interpersonal skills. The Principal must be a skilled listener with the ability to hear and appreciate different perspectives, while affirming and advancing the school's philosophy and values. In addition, the Principal must be strongly committed to individual growth and creativity among a diverse group of students, families, faculty, and staff.

The Lower School Principal is responsible for inspiring the community; balancing Milton's tradition of rigorous progressive education with the needs of the future; and ensuring that the Lower School's policies, procedures, programs, and culture promote Milton's mission. The Principal builds on the strength of Milton's history in developing insightful, independent thinkers, ready to tackle the challenges facing society. Knowledge of elementary curricula is critical. The Principal will be attuned to the complexities and rewards of a K-12 community, balancing advocacy for the needs of the Lower School with the needs of Milton as a whole K-12 school.

This is a unique opportunity to lead an extraordinary program. The successful candidate will have a vision for what makes an excellent K-5 program, the interpersonal and communication skills to build trust with faculty, staff, parents, and fellow administrators in service of that vision, and the strategic leadership skills to bring that vision to life.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities :

• Oversee and lead all functions of the Lower School, including but not limited to strategic planning, academic program, learning support, student life, health and safety, parent communication, and faculty professional development.
• Lead the Lower School faculty and staff, including ensuring a proper divisional structure is in place to administer the program.
• Oversee students in the Lower School, providing both relational support and accountability.
• Collaborate regularly with the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to provide strategic oversight of Lower School DEI initiatives (in coordination with the Director of Lower and Middle School Equity and Inclusion) on issues related to diversity and inclusion in the school, with special emphasis on the experience of faculty and students.
• Oversee recruitment and hiring of Lower School faculty and staff. Collaborate with other school leaders to continually improve hiring policies that best fit the Academy's mission and conform with human resources best practices. Oversee a Lower School talent strategy that responds to Milton's goals and objectives and ensures that candidates fulfill the school's objectives, both inside and outside the classroom.
• In conjunction with the Dean of Teaching and Learning, plan, oversee, and implement professional growth programming and support for all Lower School employees.
• Facilitate the performance evaluation process for all Lower School employees, ensuring that evaluations are completed in a timely manner and in accordance with Milton policy.
• Oversee family communication and parent education.
• Oversee the after school program, including enrichment activities.
• Manage risks, including student and employee related incidents.
• In partnership with the school's Leadership Team, help articulate Milton's culture and values to all constituents.
• Actively support and implement the objectives of Milton's Strategic Plan.
• Oversee and manage the Lower School budget, ensuring that money spent by the Lower School is in support of student programs and strategic objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Lower and Middle School Admission.
• Keep current with research about early childhood and elementary education by attending conferences and maintaining memberships in professional organizations.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision to be received : This position reports to the Head of School.

Supervision to be exercised : Lower School Leadership Team (Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dean of Operations, Director of Learning Resources, Director of Lower and Middle School Equity & Inclusion (dotted line)), Faculty, and Staff.

Education / Certification / Licensure

Required : A bachelor's degree in Education or related field.

Preferred : A master's degree in Education or related field.

Experience

Required :

Competencies

Required :

Physical Abilities

Required :

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.