Dean of Students

Friends’ Central School Overview
Friends’ Central School is an independent, coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 880 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs, the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood, and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood.

The exceptional faculty at Friends’ Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual, spiritual, and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation, reflection, integrity, and a willingness to accept responsibility. From Nursery to grade 12, our students participate in a process designed to foster creative, critical, and flexible thinking, along with compassion. As they transform from playful children to skilled, self-possessed teenagers, they are always intellectually curious and engaged thinkers. Friends’ Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life.

Upper School Dean of Students Job Description:

Friends’ Central School seeks a dynamic, student-centered, and community-minded leader to serve as the Upper School Dean of Students, beginning July 2026. The Dean of Students is a key leader in the life of the Upper School, shaping student life, fostering community, and ensuring that the experience reflects our guiding Quaker principles and practices, with a particular emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The Upper School Administrative Team is comprised of the Dean of Students, Upper School Principal, and Assistant Principal, who work closely and collaboratively to lead the division.

The Dean of Students serves as the primary administrator for student accountability and discipline, helping to sustain a culture of respect, care, and responsibility. We are looking for a collaborative and compassionate educator who is deeply committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

The Dean of Students also clerks the weekly Meeting for Student Business, which includes grade deans, the Dean for Community and Leadership, and members of the Student Support Services team. Together, this group monitors and supports the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students, while envisioning, developing, and facilitating systems and programming that enable every student to thrive.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and faculty. In many situations, the Dean of Students is the primary point of contact for all these constituent groups regarding student life.
• Lead a team of four grade deans and develop and coordinate the delivery of advisory curriculum. In collaboration with the deans, oversee student attendance and permissions.
• Partner with members of the Student Support Services team both on individual cases and grade- or school-wide initiatives for student wellbeing.
• Manage a discipline system that includes addressing student issues, communicating with multiple stakeholders, facilitating difficult conversations, and leading efforts for repair and restorative resolutions.
• Along with the Dean of Community and Leadership, develop and encourage student leaders through an intentional set of clubs, activity groups, and other leadership offerings.
• Coordinate orientation days and onboarding of students and families new to the division with attention to course selection, school community involvement, and advisor-student coordination.
• Manage the student course selection process, which includes coordinating with MS leadership, the Registrar, advisors, college counseling, and other groups.
• Speak about Friends’ Central and the student experience at open houses, back-to-school nights, parent forums, and other community events.
• Communicate weekly with students and colleagues about what is happening on campus, especially around clubs, activities, affinity groups, assemblies, and presentations.
• Teach one course each semester.

Desired Qualifications & Competencies:

• 7 years of Upper School teaching experience, preferably with administrative experience
• Bachelor’s degree in education or an academic subject field required
• Master’s degree in an academic subject field or in education preferred
• Prior leadership experience in a school setting
• A demonstrated track record of:
  • Success managing the joys and challenges of student life in grades 9-12
  • Success as a teacher and/or administrator who can organize, coordinate, and motivate teams
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Of engaging with parents and the wider community
  • Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in a school setting
• Be an engaged member of the Friends’ Central faculty and wider community

Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for office machines and supply operations, including but not limited to writing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and printers. Stooping, bending, reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

Please apply here. The application will require a resume, a cover letter, and three professional references. All applications should be completed by January 1, 2026.

Friends’ Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity, as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement.