Head of Middle School; HMS

Overview

Schedule:

12 months, starting July 1, 2026. Compensation: $145,000 - $165,000 depending on qualifications.

Reports to:

Head of School.

Almaden Country Day School (ACDS) seeks a dynamic, engaging, flexible and energetic educator to become its Head of Middle School (HMS). The successful finalist will be a student-centered leader with strong interpersonal and organizational skills to support a multi-tiered workflow in a dynamic, upbeat learning environment, while embodying the ACDS mission of “discovering the gifts in every child.”

The HMS oversees the ACDS middle school programs, faculty, and student body (about 150 children), in conjunction with the Assistant Head of Middle School (AHMS). Together they provide instructional leadership for their division and partner across divisions in whole-school initiatives and priorities. The HMS is part of the senior administrative team at ACDS, reporting directly to the Head of School, in a leadership culture that is motivated, upbeat, highly collaborative, solution-oriented, hardworking and fun-loving, with unrelenting commitment to the mission and to student wellness.

Educational leadership

• Work in partnership with the other division heads on matters of instructional planning, professional development, scheduling, hiring, faculty meetings, more
• Assure instructional methods reflect best practices consistent with ACDS values
• Observe in classrooms on a regular basis and provide feedback
• Determine and carry out professional development needs
• Hire, support, supervise, and evaluate teachers
• Evaluate and choose curricula, with input from faculty, Lead Teachers, and the instructional leadership team
• Help the AMHS implement Positive Discipline to support students and parents
• Ensure that student learning needs are met, with outside intervention as necessary, with support from the AHMS

Other primary responsibilities

• Create the MS division schedule of core classes
• Compile the electives course descriptions, schedule, staffing, and student survey with support from the Registrar
• Serve on committees, including Admissions, CAIS accreditation, and more
• Support the AHMS with administering the MAP and other standardized testing
• Lead faculty meetings in conjunction with division heads, AHMS, and Lead Teachers
• Coordinate and lead key milestone events like Back-to-School Night, High School Information Night, MS Transition Events, and Graduation
• Oversee 8th grade high school recommendations, testimonials, and other graduation planning with support from the Registrar
• Maintain robust parent and school-wide communication
• Attend school events and maintain a presence at middle school activities (athletics, performing arts, one or more overnight field trips, etc.)
• Duties as assigned

Specific Attributes Sought:

• Demonstrated competence as an accomplished educator familiar with a range of instructional skills and programs, as well as fluency with social-emotional learning and support for learning differences
• Demonstrated proficiency in relationship-building, communication, conflict resolution, and creative problem-solving
• Excellent organizational skills
• Hopeful, optimistic, humble disposition and a sense of humor
• Supportive, relational, servant-leadership orientation
• Desire and aptitude for collaborative leadership and teamwork

Required Qualifications:

• Substantive teaching experience at the PK-8 level
• Comfort and familiarity with, and passion for, educating middle school learners
• Fluency with and deep belief in child-centered, developmental, progressive instructional philosophy and methods
• Experience in an educational setting similar to ACDS: relational, student-focused, developmental philosophy, PK-8, range of student abilities
• Proficiency and comfort with relevant educational technology
• High degree of organizational proficiency and demonstrated commitment to responsiveness
• Experience with inclusive practices
• Highly collaborative leadership style
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skill, and propensity for regular and open communications
• Willingness and commitment to being available for meetings, activities, and other school needs after school hours to support students and families

Preferred…