St. Anne's-Belfield School, Head of Lower School

St. Anne’s-Belfield School, a coeducational day (age 2 through Grade 12) and boarding school (Grades 9 through 12) in Charlottesville, Virginia, seeks an inspirational, forward-thinking academic leader to serve as its next Head of the Lower School. The division, encompassing both the Early Childhood Program (Two-Year-Olds, Pre‑School, and Junior Kindergarten) and Lower School (K – Grade
4), represents the foundation of the School’s mission to educate students to become “strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.”

e’s-Belfield, learning is alive. The School is a community that balances warmth and rigor, where children are known deeply, challenged thoughtfully, and encouraged to see themselves as both learners and leaders. Guided by the School’s Portrait of a Graduate, which emphasizes curiosity, integrity, diversity, agency, impact, and creativity, the Lower School lays the foundation for these enduring habits of mind and heart.

Faculty, students, and families describe the community as vibrant, connected, and rooted in purpose — a place where curiosity and joy are paired with clear expectations and strong academics.

Reporting to Head of School Autumn

A. Graves, the Head of the Lower School (LS) will join a collaborative senior administrative leadership team (SALT) and guide a talented faculty that cares deeply about their students and craft. The next division head will be an experienced leader with a deep understanding of early childhood and elementary pedagogy, a proven ability to motivate faculty to embrace research‑based educational innovation, and the operational skill to manage a large, dynamic program and campus.

The division head will bring both expertise and an educator’s heart to every interaction, balancing empathy with decisiveness, and vision with follow‑through.

The division head will be visible and engaged, present in classrooms, in conversation with parents and guardians, and in partnership with colleagues. The successful candidate will have a clear point of view, demonstrate courage, integrity, and professional poise, and use data and research to inform thoughtful decisions. The division head will be someone who can honor the School’s traditions while leading the Lower School boldly into its next chapter, advancing excellence through robust operational systems, transparent communication, and a steadfast focus on teaching and learning.

In partnership with the Head of School, the Academic Team, and fellow division heads, the next Head of the Lower School will focus on the following priorities:

• Inspire Excellence and Belonging in Teaching and Learning:
  In partnership with faculty, students, and families, promote a learning environment that reflects the School’s mission and values. Foster a culture of professional excellence and intellectual engagement that empowers teachers and students alike to grow as learners and citizens.

• Champion Rigorous and Innovative Curriculum:
  Ensure balanced academic and co‑curricular programming that honors the School’s traditions while advancing 21st‑century pedagogical design. Promote practices that blend inquiry, creativity, and structure, leading to measurable student growth and authentic engagement.

• Align and Strengthen the ECP – Grade 4 Continuum:
  Strengthen a cohesive bridge between the Early Childhood Program (ECP) and the Lower School by aligning philosophy, curriculum, and expectations for growth. Collaborate with the Director of the ECP, Admission, and Learning Support Specialist to partner on student retention and transition readiness to thoughtfully serve each child’s best interest.

• Lead the Continued Implementation of Standards-Based Learning (SBL):
  Use data and professional research to guide instructional decisions and measure progress toward desired learning outcomes. Provide clear direction and communication around SBL to strengthen understanding among faculty and families.

• Advance Experiential and Outdoor Learning:
  Collaborate with faculty and school leaders to expand interdisciplinary, hands‑on learning that connects students meaningfully to the world around them. Cultivate a culture that…