Job Description

About Naples Classical Academy (NCA)

NCA is dedicated to providing students with an exceptional education rooted in the classical tradition. With a mission to cultivate wisdom and virtue in each child, NCA stands as a beacon of intellectual and moral formation, inspiring students to pursue excellence in both academics and character. NCA seeks a visionary Head of School to lead its thriving community, bridging the ideals of classical education with the practical needs of a dynamic learning environment.

Position Summary

The Head of School (HoS) serves as the chief executive of NCA, responsible for the school's educational and operational success. As a steward of the school’s mission, the HoS embodies the virtues of classical education, guiding students, teachers, and the community toward a shared vision of intellectual and moral excellence. The HoS oversees curriculum, pedagogy, and culture, ensuring an environment that nurtures both the mind and character of students. This role requires a strategic, communicative, and operational leader capable of fostering trust, stability, and growth within the school community. The Head of School provides organizational and instructional leadership to assure high scholar outcomes, maintain the integrity of the school’s approved charter, and fulfill its mission: To train the minds and improve the hearts of young people through a classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in the principles of the moral character and civic virtue.

Key Responsibilities

• Mission Alignment and Cultural Leadership : Uphold and promote the principles of classical education and NCA’s mission, fostering a culture where academic excellence, as well as moral and ethical formation are paramount.
• Strategic and Operational Oversight : Lead the development and integration of all school operations, including, but not limited to, HR, website, regulatory compliance, financial reporting, facility management and marketing functions, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and goals. Ensure the school adheres to all applicable laws, board policies, financial obligations and third-party agreements. Report at regular school board meetings on the status of all school operations and all plans for upcoming school activities.
• Academic Leadership : Oversee and support the implementation of a rigorous classical curriculum, working closely with teachers to enhance instructional quality and to integrate professional development resources, such as those from Hillsdale College.
• Community Building and Communication : Build trust within the school community, engaging parents, faculty, and the board through transparent, empathetic, and proactive communication. Regularly attend and encourage faculty/staff to attend school functions as appropriate.
• Faculty Development : Responsible for the selection and performance of instructional faculty, teachers and instructional coaches. Mentor faculty in classical pedagogy, providing regular guidance, feedback, and support to ensure cohesive instructional practices.
• External Relations : Represent NCA in the broader community, cultivating relationships with donors, civic and business organizations, Hillsdale College, authorizers, and regulatory bodies.
• Enrollment and Retention : Drive efforts to improve student and teacher retention by fostering an attractive, mission-aligned school culture and addressing operational challenges.
• Financial Accountability : Work with the school leadership team and the Finance Committee to prepare an annual operating budget recommendation. Implement and adhere to board approved annual budget. Should it be necessary, work with school leadership and Finance Committee to prepare appropriate amendments to the approved annual budget.

Expected Outcomes

• Community Trust : Establish strong relationships with families, staff, and the board, evidenced by improved confidence and engagement in the school's direction.
• Professional Development : Implement a structured professional development program that enhances teacher capabilities and aligns with the school’s classical mission.
• Operational Integration : Successfully transition operational functions to internal leadership, ensuring smooth, mission-aligned processes. Fulfill the nature and purpose of the organization while building an administration team that understands and embodies the school’s mission.
• Enrollment and Retention Growth : Achieve targeted improvements in student and faculty retention through a positive, cohesive school culture and efficient operations.

Key Competencies and Character Qualities

• Classical Education Expertise : Strong understanding of the intellectual tradition of Western civilization, classical curriculum and pedagogy, and the ability to explain, defend, and establish the same. Exemplify a love of learning demonstrated by ongoing personal pursuit of knowledge and the desire to share that knowledge with others.
• Change Leadership : Capable of leading the school through periods of transition, creating stability and generating enthusiasm for the mission. Build trust through excellent internal communications, being a good listener, expressing consistent expectations, and consistently following through…all the while being firm, kind, prudent and just.
• Community Builder : Skilled in fostering a positive, mission-aligned school culture, engaging all stakeholders with authenticity and integrity. Exhibit strong advocacy for classical education through engaging and empathetic interactions with parents, community members, teachers, students, etc…
• Operational Acumen : Ability to manage school operations with a business-minded approach, balancing mission goals with enrollment and budget requirements.
• Visionary and Entrepreneurial Mindset : Forward-thinking, with the ability to recognize growth opportunities and adapt to community needs.
• Care for Faculty: Passion for and expertise in identifying, developing, and supporting excellent faculty. The ability to guide, regularly coach and observe teachers in mastering the key elements of their instruction; document results and provide feedback as mentor and supervisor for the betterment of their students. Personifies prudence and excellent moral character.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for engaging all members of the community in the full range of contexts from public address to private crucial conversations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university (strongly preferred)
• At least 5 years of successful school administration experience
• Proven ability to set, communicate, and lead a team to achieve strategic goals
• Classroom teaching experience
• Must have Hillsdale, classical, or comparable curriculum experience

Please note: the job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete and comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this role. Duties, responsibilities and activities are subject to change from time to time, with or without notice.

The organization is an equal opportunity employer. The organization is committed to providing equal opportunity for all individuals in all areas of recruitment, selection, placement, training, assignment, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline retention and promotion. The Board commits itself to the policy that there shall be no unlawful discrimination against any person because of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. All decisions with regard to employment shall be in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.

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