High School Director

We’re up to big things at SLO Classical Academy! You’ll find us off the beaten path, providing classical education and enrichment (with a twist). We exist to educate for life, understanding that education is not a means to an end, but a worthy end in and of itself.

SLOCA is seeking a High School Director to oversee and support the high school program and its participants, aligning with SLOCA’s classical mission and vision. 

If you are passionate about education and children, an effective and loyal team player, and an experienced servant leader, you will find ours a rare and compelling opportunity.

SLOCA’S VISION OF AND FOR EMPLOYEES

Highly desirable educational employees at SLO Classical Academy are those who are passionate about classical education and children, committed to personal and professional growth and development, effective and loyal team players, creative thinkers, in full support of our core values, and interested in the health and growth of SLO Classical Academy.

POSITION PURPOSE / JOB SUMMARY

The High School Director is responsible for the oversight and thriving of the high school program and people in line with SLOCA’s classical mission and vision.

JOB STRUCTURE 

• Exempt Employee Status
• Robust full-time, year-round position with benefits and PTO (5 weeks)

 EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND CORE COMPETENCIES

Required education and experience

• College degree in a related field
• An advanced degree in a field related to the functions of the position preferred
• Evidence of ongoing professional development as related to the position
• 8 years of educational/teaching experience
• 5 years of experience in classical education
• 2 years in educational leadership
• Experience supervising and mentoring direct reports
• Experience guiding the professional learning and development of educators

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated experience tackling challenges creatively while maintaining grounding in classical practices.  
• Able to work under others but to take ownership of areas of responsibility.
• Proven experience moving team members towards personal and organizational objectives.
• Highly relational with a strong emotional and organizational IQ
• Able to balance relational strength with results and performance goals
• Ability to galvanize a team and lead them to project completion on time, on budget 
• Clear, concise communicator 
• Never satisfied with the status quo - always seeking new ways to improve our product, delivery, relevancy, and value
• No reservations about tackling the unknown

Primary Working Relationships:

• The HS Director reports to the Founder and Head of School
• The HS Director oversees & grows:
• HS Teachers
• Student Life Director
• HS Office Manager
• Teamwork: the HS Director serves on the:
• Broader Leadership Team (all directors across departments)
• EduLeads Team (with Directors of other campuses and the Special and Academic Projects Lead)
• Disciplinary Team (with Director and student life director/community life managers across campuses)
• Special focus teams/Executive Leadership Team support, as needed

Duties & Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the High School Director  include, but are not limited to, the following:

Partner with the Founder and Head of School to set clear goals for the HS and HS Director role, which takes into account the big picture and organization as a whole.

Develop and support a thriving classical HS program:

• Develop, implement, and share the vision for our classical school and all we have created around it, as it relates to high school students.  
• Utilize both foundational and creative means to deepen and expand our program. 
• Take advantage of classical and other resources to grow professionally and to disseminate that knowledge and wisdom to the HS team.
• Oversee curriculum development
• Oversee electives and immersives

Develop and support HS teachers

• Provide clear and consistent expectations of SLOCA HS teachers/community members, along with regular input, praise, and constructive feedback. 
• Provide consistent support and opportunities to grow teachers as people and classical educators.
• Provide ongoing classroom observations and input, both positive and constructive.
• Continue to grow the advisory program with advisory leads per grade level. 
• Ensure that teachers have what they need to succeed in serving our students as well as possible

Lead HS Team Meetings to provide (including, but not limited to):

• Vision
• Time to discuss issues, student support challenges, brainstorm ideas, etc.
• Time to plan/debrief events (retreat, History Days, HLR, House events, Senior Projects, etc) 
• Time to prepare for conferences and also provide positive feedback to families regularly. 
• Participate in staff training and development.
• Share important information with HS teachers & staff regularly via HS tidbits and updated Google Classroom. 

HS growth

• Work with the Executive Leadership Team to facilitate and grow enrollment.
• Partner with admissions for community and potential family outreach and follow-up, recruitment, and retention
• Work with HS staff and the retention team to retain students, including individual outreach and family meetings

Support High School Students and Families:

• Annually meet with each student/family for a class/college advisory meeting
• Attend HS retreat and as many student events as possible (such as sports games, HLR, Poetry, etc)
• Provide vision and inspiration around our program
• Be available to meet as needed with students and families 
• Provide support for significant student support issues
• Receive and respond to feedback from students and families

Oversee and support administration:

• Oversee the hiring and dismissal of teachers and staff
• Manage the budget for the high school program within SLOCA’s budgetary processes and guidelines
• Ensure high school campus facility needs are met:
• Safety
• Campus maintenance
• Classroom needs

Physical Demands:* 

Able to lift a minimum of 25 pounds on a limited basis