Middle School Dean of Students

Title:                    Middle School Dean of Students                   Direct Reports:    N/A

Reports to:          Director of Middle School                              FLSA Status:         Exempt

When Needed:    2026-2027 Academic Year                              FT/PT/R/T:           Full-Time, 12 Months

Who We Are:

University Prep is an independent 6-12 school located in an urban residential section of Seattle, WA, one of the country’s most diverse and dynamic cities. We are a strong and vibrant community of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni who collaboratively create an exceptional educational experience for every student. The school is a place of great teaching and joyful learning; a community that joins together to raise up our children to be caring and productive adults; a place where all students and families have equitable access to all the school has to offer, and a place where we aspire for every family and student to feel equally enfranchised and at home. University Prep believes that our shared values of integrity, respect, and responsibility are essential to accomplish our mission of developing each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.

Job Summary:

University Prep is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and inspiring Middle School Dean of Students to help nurture a vibrant, inclusive community where every student is known, challenged, and supported. The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder and problem-solver who brings strong communication skills, creativity, and a deep commitment to student growth and well-being.

Working in partnership with the Director of Middle School, the Dean plays a key role in shaping a positive school culture, supporting students’ academic and social-emotional development, and fostering meaningful connections among students, families, and faculty. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking school that values innovation, inclusivity, and joyful learning. University Prep offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a dynamic professional community that encourages growth, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the Director of Middle School in all aspects of divisional operations, act as Division Head in their absence.
• Collaborate with the Director of Middle School to manage student discipline and uphold community standards.
• Coordinate and oversee the daily Middle School calendar, including Community Time and space usage.
• Manage non-athletic school events (e.g., dances, orientations, retreats), including scheduling, budgeting, and supervision.
• Serve on school committees and councils as assigned; represent the Middle School at internal and external meetings and events.
• Monitor student academic and behavioral progress in partnership with the Director and Grade Level Coordinators, identifying and implementing support strategies.
• Lead advisory meetings to gather feedback on student needs and coordinate academic or social-emotional interventions.
• Foster a welcoming environment that supports students’ social and emotional well-being.
• Serve as a leading member of the Middle School Student Services team.
• Advise and mentor Middle School student government and class representatives, including planning leadership retreats and ongoing programming.
• Plan and facilitate weekly Middle School assemblies in coordination with Student Council.
• Oversee student clubs and advisory activities, including scheduling, programming, and budget management.
• Collaborate with Grade Level Coordinators to design and implement advisory and community-building activities.
• Supervise Student Council–sponsored events and activities.
• Coordinate class-specific and community activities such as new student orientations, grade-level trips, and special events.
• Attend overnight grade-level retreats (Grades 6 and 8).
• Partner with program directors (SEL, DEI, Integrated Learning, Global Link, etc.) to manage non-traditional curricular programming.
• Attend and contribute to parent representative meetings and family information sessions.
• Participate in Middle School admissions events and other outreach opportunities as a divisional representative.
• Engage in ongoing professional development and model lifelong learning.
• Adhere to all school policies and safety standards, ensuring a secure environment for all community members.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in education or a related field
• Master’s degree in education or related field preferred
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in school environment required
• One year of experience overseeing or managing a program related to student life and development (e.g. dean, department head/chair, or other programmatic leadership)
• Classroom teaching experience strongly preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience working with students, building strong relationships with them, and holding them to high standards and expectations.
• Demonstrates an empathic, compassionate, and inclusive leadership practice with the ability to work with broad constituencies in an approachable and diplomatic manner.
• Strong organizational ability and the capacity to manage a complex job description with many components.
• Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively, to take initiative, and to manage Middle School student life with confidence and clarity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate well with all levels of faculty and staff.
• Ability to work and communicate well with students and their parents.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Adaptability, punctuality, flexibility, maturity, enthusiasm and a sense of humor.
• Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows environment (Windows 7 or higher), using Office (version 2010 or higher), including Outlook; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and confidently learn new technology; Experience with school-focused technology is a plus.
• Ability to talk on the phone.
• Ability to sit and keyboard up to 8 hours per day.

If this sounds like you, please click on Apply Now, complete our online employment application and upload your résumé and a cover letter indicating why you are interested in this position.

Thank you for your interest in this position and in University Prep.

This position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.

www.universityprep.org

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.