Head of Middle School

Job Title:

Head of Middle School

Date available:

July 1, 2027

Supervisor:
Associate Head of School for Education

The Head of Middle School is the educational, cultural, and operational leader of the Middle School and is responsible for creating a challenging, joyful, and values-driven experience for students in grades 5–8. The Head leads with a deep commitment to Bernard Zell’s mission to develop exceptional young people who put Jewish values into action. This leader is responsible for the day-to-day life of the division and for building strong, trusting relationships with students, faculty, families, and colleagues across the School.

The successful candidate will be an experienced and highly relational school leader who combines warmth with high expectations. They will support and develop an accomplished faculty, establish clear and consistent expectations for student behavior, communicate transparently with families, and make thoughtful decisions even when those decisions are difficult. They will listen carefully, explain the reasoning behind decisions, and possess the confidence and humility to adjust course when warranted.

The Head of Middle School reports to the Associate Head of School for Education, works closely with the Head of School, and serves as a member of both the Education and Core Leadership Teams. They will have significant input into their division’s leadership and support structure and will serve as the immediate supervisor for the Director of Student Life, Athletics Director, and Middle School Faculty.

The Head of Middle School will work in close partnership with the Director of Student Services, Director of Jewish studies, Director of High School Counseling, Operations, Admissions, and other division and school leaders.

The role requires exceptional judgment, organization, prioritization, and clear communication skills, as well as an ability to navigate the needs of students, faculty, and families simultaneously.

Ensure a rigorous, dynamic Middle School program that prepares students for the academic expectations, independence, and executive-functioning demands of high school and beyond. Familiarity with the Chicago (or other comparable) high school application processes is a plus.

Cultivate a Middle School culture in which students are known, valued, challenged, and held accountable. Establish clear and consistent expectations for behavior, respect, responsibility, and community norms, with developmentally appropriate consequences, reflection, restoration, and support. Understands and finds joy in the unique educational, emotional, physical, and social needs of Middle School students. Celebrates the complexity and beauty of the early adolescent years.

Create the conditions in which excellent teachers can do their best work. Build trust with a highly experienced faculty, support and onboard new teachers, and coach and evaluate all faculty thoughtfully and constructively.

Build trust with families through accessibility, transparency, and timely communication. Listen genuinely to concerns and ideas, explain the educational rationale behind decisions, and clearly articulate new initiatives, so that the direction of the division remains grounded in the best interests of students and the broader school community.

Ensure that Jewish values, culture, tradition, learning, and Hebrew are meaningfully reflected in the life of the Middle School. Help students connect the Bernard Zell values: celebrate Jewish identity, cultivate community, inspire curiosity,…