Dean of Lower School

Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day school serving students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, integrity, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict.

Summary: The Dean of Lower School serves as a key academic and community leader who, in close partnership with the Head of Lower School, helps cultivate a Lower School environment where every student is known, supported, and inspired to learn. This role strengthens coherence across classrooms, reinforces mission-aligned expectations for students and faculty, and supports strong, joy-filled learning communities. The Dean aims to reinforce Responsive Classroom practices, restorative approaches, and other whole-child frameworks; lead student-focused meetings and partner with the Student Resource Team to coordinate proactive and responsive interventions, while maintaining a consistent, visible presence to foster belonging and safety.  Serving as a connective bridge between day-to-day lower school operations and school-wide priorities, the Dean ensures that instructional practices, student support structures, and community norms are consistent, collaborative, and rooted in the School’s mission and values. The Dean collaborates with faculty, counselors, and families to support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth while communicating proactively with families to align on academic, behavioral, and developmental goals. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Strengthen vertical and horizontal alignment to ensure continuity across grades and classrooms.

• Use academic and SEL data to guide instruction, interventions, and enrichment. 

• Onboard, coach, and mentor new teachers, and support effective classroom management and positive learning environments.

• Foster collaboration within and across grade-level teams to build instructional coherence and collegial culture.

• Partner with colleagues focused on faculty development, innovation, and program excellence.

• Serve as a liaison among teachers, families, administrators, and student support staff to ensure alignment.

Knowledge and Skill Set Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from an accredited college or university is required; Master's degree preferred.Successful classroom teaching experience at the elementary level and a strong understanding of child development (PK-5th grade) and age-appropriate pedagogy.

• Knowledge of current research and best practices in early elementary education and elementary, instructional design, and curriculum development.

• Experience partnering with families within a school setting and the ability to foster trust, transparency, and shared purpose.

• A relationship-centered leadership style with high emotional intelligence and the capacity to navigate student, faculty, and family needs with professionalism, empathy, consistency and high expectations.

• Experience supporting teacher growth through coaching, mentorship, or structured feedback processes. A collaborative and reflective approach to problem solving, with the ability to build shared ownership of goals and solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to use academic and SEL data to guide instructional decisions and monitor student progress.

• Strong organizational and technology skills, with disciplined follow-through and the ability to manage multiple priorities while centering student experience; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality and inspire confidence.

• Genuine joy in the life of a school and enthusiasm for working with elementary-aged children and the adults who serve them.

Physical Requirements: Daily desk work includes significant amounts of telephone and computer time as well as mobility around the entire campus. This includes frequent walking inside and outside, maneuvering stairs as a part of daily routines. Bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a regular classroom and office setting. 

Summary of Benefits:

Annual salary: $75,000-85,000

At SSFS, we offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Our benefits include:

• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

• Disability & Life Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, along with life insurance for peace of mind at no cost to employees.

• Retirement Savings: 403(B) plan with employer contributions to help you save for the future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including holidays and parental leave.

• Employee Assistance: Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Tuition: Financial aid available to children of SSFS employees.

• Childcare Discounts: Discounted After Care and Summer Camp programs for employees' children.

• Convenience Perks: Free parking, free lunch, and access to our library and gym facilities.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth through tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and ongoing professional development initiatives.

• Campus Amenities: Work in a beautiful, historic campus with walking paths. We are a smoke-free, environmentally conscious community.

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School embraces the Quaker testimony of Equality and seeks applicants who represent all backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We greatly value our diverse student population and we actively seek faculty representatives of our students’ diversity. Click to learn more about diversity at Sandy Spring Friends School. Special consideration may be given to members of The Religious Society of Friends.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, completed application, and three professional references by selecting the link.

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000