Summit School, Head of School Search for July 2021

Summit School is a PS-8 school in a wonderful part of the Greater Phoenix area (the Ahwatukee Highlands.) Founded in 2001, Summit has gained a reputation for being a strong private independent school supported by a highly‐involved parent community.  Summit’s preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC,) received a 5-Star rating from Quality First, and is a major attraction bringing new families to the school.  Summit’s Elementary and Middle School programs have earned nationally recognized accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI,) an accreditation division of AdvancED®. Summit’s integrated, project-based curriculum is one of the many benefits the school provides its students.

Overview of Head of School Position

The Head of School at Summit School will lead a preschool through eighth grade, private, independent school that equips creative innovators by providing a safe and joyful place for students to discover and achieve their full potential. We are seeking a dynamic professional who brings creativity, passion, and strategic vision to guide the school as a thought and practice leader in challenging, applied content mastery, and social-emotional growth. As both the educational and administrative leader, the Head of School displays a genuine commitment to student success and achievement, supports and motivates teachers to excel in their teaching and learning endeavors, and operates the school in a fiscally responsible manner with proactive approaches to budgeting, development, and the recruitment and retention of students. The Head of School works closely with the Board of Trustees, develops relationships with all relevant constituencies in the school and community, and strives to engage all members of the school community in the successful implementation of Summit’s mission and vision.

Primary Responsibilities

Vision, Communication, and Relationship Building

• Acts as the primary visionary, spokesperson, and advocate for Summit
• Exemplifies and supports Summit School’s mission, vision, and values
• Fosters a positive school atmosphere that features excitement about learning and respect for others and cultivates a collective sense of purpose
• Develops and strengthens relationships with and among students, staff, and parents
• Communicates effectively, articulately, and inclusively all school policies, procedures, information, and news
• Builds relationships between all stakeholders, the local Ahwatukee community, and the larger Phoenix community

Instructional and Curricular Leadership

• Guides and oversees the development, enhancement, and implementation of all educational programs, preschool through grade 8
• Promotes excellence in the school’s curriculum and in student achievement by building upon our S.T.E.A.M. -based academic program that emphasizes high academic achievement while developing well-rounded learners, both academically and socially
• Supports initiatives to ensure smooth transitions from preschool to elementary school and from elementary to middle school
• Promotes the development of research-based methods of instruction to ensure the success of all students, combining the best of traditional and innovative educational practices
• Ensures a system for consistent behavior expectations for all students that is equitable and clearly communicated
• Recruits, supports, and retains an outstanding faculty and staff by fostering an atmosphere in which educators can develop their crafts to the highest possible potential

Fiscal and Facility Management

• Manages the school according to sound fiscal and risk management practices that will ensure continued financial independence, ongoing financial strength, and optimal operational function
• Works closely with the Board of Trustees and administrative personnel to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the school
• Develops an approach for focused enhancement of facilities that supports implementation of current technologies, allows for the potential for growth to capacity enrollment, and maintains a safe and attractive school facility

Qualifications and Characteristics

Education and Experience

• Graduate degree in relevant area; educational leadership degree preferred
• At least five years of successful teaching experience
• At least five years of successful leadership experience in an educational setting, preferably a private, 501c3 nonprofit school
• Certification as appropriate

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of current best practices in implementing an integrated, thematic approach to instruction in a S.T.E.A.M.-based framework
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and passionately— both orally and in writing—across a wide variety of situations and stakeholders.
• Understanding of child/adolescent development and educational psychology and social-emotional learning
• Skills for building relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and for ensuring that all school constituents feel heard and respected
• Ability to promote ongoing development of Summit’s strong sense of community among students, parents, faculty, and staff, and to extend this to relationships with the local community
• Ability to devise and implement approaches to support the recruitment, development, and retention of excellent educators
• Outstanding managerial and organizational skills, including the abilities to set priorities and use time efficiently
• Ability to make and implement clear, yet sometimes difficult, decisions.
• Demonstrated ability and record of solving complex problems that may involve competing interests

Personal Traits

• Honesty and integrity
• Energetic and motivating for teaching and learning
• Love for and advocacy of children with the ability to make personal connections with preschool through middle school-aged children
• Transparent, objective, decisive, and consistent in decision-making
• Accessible, warm, friendly, and respectful
• Creative, open-minded, and strategic thinker

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are asked to submit the following documents via email attachments searchcommittee@summitschoolaz.org.

1. Cover letter addressed to the Summit School Search Committee expressing interest in and qualifications for the position.
2. A current resume.
3. A statement of educational philosophy (1 – 2 pages).
4. Two examples of writing on a school or education topic.
5. Five references (including email addresses, and telephone numbers) who can be contacted confidentially at the early stage of discovery.
6. Three letters of reference.

Please direct questions regarding the Head of School search to searchcommittee@summitschoolaz.org

Start Date: As soon as possible
Work Hours: M-F Fulltime
Rate of Pay: $50k + Commissions
Reports To: Head of School

Director of Admissions

The Director of Admissions is goal oriented, committed, and passionate about filling Summit School with families who value and align with our Vision, Mission and culture. The Director of Admissions recruits and enrolls a student body that enables Summit School to fulfill its mission in the present and future. This individual would possess or gain deep knowledge and understanding of the school’s history, curriculum, programs, unique offerings, and the experiences of staff/students/families.  The Director of Admissions draws students to Summit who are committed to pursuing their personal best academically, and as young people of character.  With the Heads of School, this individual develops and executes a strategic vision that meets school-wide admission and enrollment goals, including broad strategy and yearly tactical goals.

Job Description:

• Coordinates a slate of activities, programs and initiatives to attract and retain qualified students
• Serves as the primary recruiter of qualified students and families
• Activates the school community—staff, faculty, students, parents and alumni– in support of the marketing, admission and enrollment process and their roles within it
• Proactively and personally generates admissions leads
• Leads team responsible for internal and external school marketing efforts to retain current families and recruit qualified new students
• Oversees school branding and serves as the key “brand ambassador,”; trains school staff and volunteers on clear, consistent messaging about the school’s mission and programs
• Presents the school to prospective students and parents, including tours, open houses, shadow days, parent presentations and other events
• Designs, implements, and oversees all aspects of the enrollment process for new students, and facilitates their entry into the Summit community
• Oversees production of robust data and metrics for school leadership review in support of enrollment targets
• Works closely with faculty to develop a comprehensive understanding of each grade level’s curriculum, culminating events and unique offerings
• Collaborates with the Tuition Assistance Committee to develop and support tuition assistance policies in support of enrollment goals
• Collaborates in promotion of school tax credit funds and school corporate tax credit funds for school financial aid, as well as assisting parents in utilizing the tax credit towards their tuition
• Continually evaluates and improves all aspects of admissions program with the goals of reaching capacity enrollment of qualified students
• Serves as a member of the Administrative Team and consults with the Heads of School on all aspects of school administration

The ideal candidate:

• Aligns with Summit School’s mission, vision and values
• Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and relational skills, with the capacity for cultivating positive relationships with potential families, community partners and (service, youth, family) organizations
• Shows outstanding drive, initiative, work ethic, and commitment to school improvement
• Understands the educational landscape of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Summit School’s unique value proposition, and can speak authentically and compellingly to diverse internal and external audiences
• Possesses outstanding public speaking, verbal, and communication skills
• Shows the capacity to build rapport and ongoing relationships with families of children ages 3 to 14
• Demonstrates exceptional project management, organizational, and reporting skills
• Has demonstrable experience with innovation, collaboration, and organizational improvement
• Builds trusting relationships with staff
• Demonstrates proficiency in working with a school information and enrollment management system (SIS) such as RenWeb/FACTS, as well as Microsoft Office, Google Docs/Sheets

Qualifications:

• Holds a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Business, Communications, Education or related field
• Possesses 3-5 years of professional sales/marketing experience required
• Demonstrates proficiency in working with a school information and enrollment management system (SIS) such as RenWeb/FACTS, as well as Microsoft Office, Google Docs/Sheets preferred

Compensation:

$50,000 base salary plus commission for each successfully enrolled student who meets Summit’s admissions standards, remains at the school for a defined period, and meets other qualifications.  Additional information to be provided through the interview process

Summit School offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical benefits, as well as long and short term disability for the individual employee. After one year of employment, employees are eligible to enroll in our 401K Plan with a robust school match.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

For employment inquiries, please contact:

Cassandra Cutright

Human Resources Generalist

Cassandra.cutright@summitschoolaz.org

4515 E. Muirwood Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85048

Direct: 480-403-9504

Main: 480-403-9500

HR Fax: 480-403-9533

www.SummitSchoolaz.org

Start Date: As soon as possible
Work Hours: 20-25 hours a week
Rate of Pay: $12/hr
Reports To: Facilities Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Inspects and cleans all access points and walkways for safe and clear passage
• Responds to immediate cleaning requirements DURING the school day
• Performs minor maintenance throughout the school
• Wipes down and sanitizes counters and desks
• Restocks paper towels in classrooms
• Sweeps, mops, and polishes floors
• Vacuums and cleans carpets
• Moves furniture and equipment
• Sweeps walkways, picks up paper and trash
• Secures rooms upon completion of work
• Performs detailed summer cleaning
• Empties and cleans all trash and recycle containers
• Sets up furniture and equipment needed for special events, meetings, and classes
• Cleans and restock restrooms

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
• Maintenance and/or custodial experience preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

For employment inquiries, please contact:

Cassandra Cutright

Human Resources Generalist

Cassandra.cutright@summitschoolaz.org

4515 E. Muirwood Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85048

Direct: 480-403-9504

Main: 480-403-9500

HR Fax: 480-403-9533

www.SummitSchoolaz.org

Start Date: School Year – Ongoing
Work Hours: As scheduled by school
Rate of Pay: $100 (School Day of 7 hours or more) or $12.50 per hour

Job Description

We are seeking dynamic and experienced Substitute Teachers to join our unique Summit community! We also have opportunities for substitute teaching in our specials classes; Spanish, Physical Education, Science, Technology, Art, Music, and the IDEA Lab.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree (Preferred in Education) or specific to Special Area of Class
• Two years of teaching experience (preferred)

Licensing/Certifications:

• Arizona State Teaching Certificate or Substitute Teaching certificate
• Current IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Current CPR and First Aid certification