Head of Upper School

Associate Head of School, Upper School Head

Carney, Sandoe & Associates
, an educational recruitment organization partnered with Nichols School
, an independent school for grades 5-12, to find their next Associate Head of School/Upper School Head in Buffalo, NY
, with a start date of July 2026
.

Nichols School, located in one of Buffalo’s most attractive urban residential locations and founded in 1892, is a co‑educational, independent college prep day school for grades 5‑12. Known for its rigorous academics, small classes, and dedicated teaching faculty, Nichols excels in developing well‑rounded, ethical individuals through strong academics, arts, athletics, and community life. Nichols School emphasizes critical thinking, innovation, and a balanced life, and is consistently viewed as among the strongest schools in all of western New York state.

Nichols School is searching for its next Associate Head of School and Upper School Head—a leader who will guide grades 9–12 and help shape the academic program for grades 5–12. The school’s mission—To train minds, bodies, and hearts for the work of life, and to carry into all we do the highest ideals of character and service—will be central to this role.

The school seeks candidates who deeply believe in the power of education to change lives, can inspire faculty and students alike, and are committed to building on Nichols’ tradition of academic excellence. The next Associate Head and Upper School Head will play a vital role in ensuring that Nichols remains the region’s top academic school, where high expectations are matched by meaningful support and where students are prepared not only for college but also for lives of purpose and engagement beyond graduation.

Reinforcing the excellence of a Nichols education will also translate into ensuring full enrollment and a student body that represents the best of Western New York.

• Lead a best‑in‑class academic program in Buffalo and among peer schools.
• Integrate the curriculum that has served Nichols students well in the past while remaining flexible, forward‑thinking, and embracing continuous improvement as we evolve our curriculum to prepare our students for the realities of today and tomorrow.
• Take a lead role in implementing a multi‑year strategic plan for academic excellence, program innovation, and student experience.
• Identify opportunities to modernize teaching practices, scheduling, assessments, and student support structures.
• Strengthen alignment between the Middle and Upper School to create a cohesive 5‑12 learning journey.
• Foster a positive, forward‑looking culture built on trust, transparency, and shared purpose.

• Build on Nichols’ rich history of faculty excellence, where excellence is deeply valued and appreciated by students, parents and the community alike.
• Ensure effective recruiting, onboarding, and evaluating faculty, as well as developing and retaining both new and existing faculty.
• Set clear expectations for professional performance, culture, instructional quality, student engagement, and community norms.
• Implement consistent structures for evaluation, coaching, growth plans, and recognition. Address underperformance with fairness, clarity, and urgency.
• Ensure hiring practices attract mission‑aligned, high‑performing educators.
• Promote professional learning with measurable outcomes tied to school priorities.
• Lead the design and evolution of a forward‑thinking, rigorous, and relevant curriculum aligned to Nichols’ mission of academic and teaching excellence.
• Promote inquiry‑based learning, interdisciplinary projects, experiential programs, and real‑world applications.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen offerings across the board, including STEM, humanities and the arts.
• Create and foster best‑in‑class curriculum focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology tied into the local community.
• Expand opportunities for student agency: capstones, internships, research projects, entrepreneurship, and design thinking.
• Assess the effectiveness of curricular…