Middle School Learning Guide

and the job listing Expires on January 12, 2026

Red Bridge is an independent K-8 school that opened in September 2020 in San Francisco. Red Bridge was founded as a demonstration school for a new model of education designed to foster a sense of agency in students as opposed to traditional schools that are designed to reinforce compliance. Student ownership is built into every system and structure of the school, so that students gradually take on more responsibility for their learning.

This puts every student on the path to becoming a lifelong learner – so that no matter what the future looks like, they can adapt and flourish. Learn more about our nontraditional grouping, grading and teaching model here .

Red Bridge strives to have a student body that reflects the diversity of our community in San Francisco. Red Bridge’s mission, location and individualized tuition model all support this goal. We believe that a diverse learning community is a necessary part of a high-quality education. We aim to have a faculty that reflects this diversity as well. Candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Red Bridge currently serves 71 students in the equivalent of Kindergarten – Seventh Grade. We will have a full K-8 school in the 2026 – 2027 school year, and our first graduating class of 8th graders in June 2027.

Teachers at Red Bridge are not only in charge of instruction, but are also contributing to creating a new model of education. This means that teachers are designing their own lessons based on the Red Bridge scope and sequence and creating new systems and structures that align with the Red Bridge mission. While this role asks more of teachers than a traditional teaching role, it also provides the opportunity to have a much further-reaching impact and to truly change how we educate kids.

Red Bridge regularly has educators from around the globe tour the school to learn from our model.

Red Bridge teachers are known for being highly intentional and structured, which results in students who are empowered to drive their own learning. Our teachers believe in high standards for students and create learning environments that support students in showing up as their best and most capable selves. Red Bridge is also a more collaborative environment than most, which can be both exciting and challenging.

Red Bridge teachers are willing to find compromise, excited to learn from others, comfortable giving and receiving feedback, happy to lend a hand, and approach this all with a good sense of humor. If you are excited by this, please apply!

The Middle School guide will plan and implement key elements of the Red Bridge model – Work and Character Habits instruction, Deliberate Practice or self-directed learning, mastery-based Learning Credits, and Project-Based Deep Dives – working closely with experienced Red Bridge educators to ensure alignment and rigor. A large portion of time will be spent meeting with students one-on-one to support and hold them accountable for their continuous growth.

The first year of this position will be a training year to learn the ropes of Red Bridge’s school design, with increasing opportunities for leadership and creativity over time. Additional responsibilities include leading instruction in Critical Thinking & World Studies, student supervision, assessment, and parent communication. An ideal candidate is excited to learn about Red Bridge’s approach to agency and believes that structure, relationships, and a sense of belonging enable Middle Schoolers to thrive.

Red Bridge does not group students by grade level, but by Autonomy Level. Each Autonomy Level spans about three years of age difference. Middle School students are in Autonomy Level 4 or 5, which typically covers students between 10
-14 years-old. This is a full-time position reporting to the Head of School. Applicants for this role should have deep experience advising Middle School students and enthusiasm for the special developmental stage of Middle School.

Ideal candidates will have:

• at least 5 years of experience working with similar-age students
• a…