Head of Lower School - PreS (3-year-olds) through Grade 5 (Position Available July 1, 2025)

Company: National Association of Independent Schools
Location: New York
Posted on: May 3, 2025

Job Description:

OverviewThe Kew-Forest School, a preschool through 12th grade, co-educational day school in Forest Hills, New York, seeks an experienced and dynamic educator with a passion for working with early childhood and elementary school students, faculty, and parents to serve as Head of Lower School. The Head of Lower School is responsible for the academic, co-curricular, and student life programs for approximately 100 students in Preschool (3-year-olds) through Grade 5 and supporting, inspiring, and hiring 17 full-time lower school faculty. The Head of Lower School reports to the Head of School and is an integral member of the School's eleven-member senior leadership team. This senior administrative position is supported by the Assistant Head of Lower School, the School Counselor for the Lower School, and the Director of Learning Support.The Kew-Forest Lower School has a strong, well-developed program as well as an experienced and cohesive instructional team. The curriculum establishes a strong foundation in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science within a classroom culture that prioritizes social-emotional learning alongside academic instruction. The curriculum is enhanced by rich learning experiences in studio art, music, Spanish, STEAM, physical education, and library/research. Lower School classrooms are places of active learning where students have the opportunity to develop their individual voices within a curriculum that promotes inquiry-based practices, encourages risk-taking, and fosters problem-solving.Today, the Kew-Forest student body is one of the most diverse and international to be found at any independent school in the country. Kew-Forest students have varied cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds and a majority are multilingual. The Kew-Forest School promotes diversity in its hiring process and is committed to supporting its inclusive community by hiring culturally diverse faculty and staff to work with our equally diverse students, families, and employees.ResponsibilitiesAdministrative

• Ensure alignment between the school's board-approved mission statement and all activities of the Lower School division.
• Serve as the educational leader of the Lower School division.
• Direct day-to-day operations and the activities of the members of the instructional staff in the performance of their duties.
• Plan school assemblies and programs; assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events; keep the entire school community informed of various Lower School programs and activities.
• Maintain a safe and secure working, learning, and teaching environment, while promoting a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
• Work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique.
• Communicate in an effective, meaningful, and timely way with all constituencies - students, parents, teachers, and other administrators - regarding the Lower School division's programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other information as necessary.
• Keep the Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and challenges of the Lower School.
• Be an active and effective member of the school's senior leadership team.
• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school and attend division-specific events as well as many all-school events.
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with the parent community and establish an authentic and open style of communication that prioritizes a positive home-school connection.
• Oversee and work collaboratively with the student support team and divisional staff in their guidance and support of students.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies; to maintain the educational standards established by the State of New York and by the New York Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) that examines and accredits the school.
• Maintain the Lower School budget.
• Assist in the admission process to evaluate Lower School applicants for enrollment.
• Assist with marketing and communication initiatives, content for website, and social media pertaining to the Lower School students, faculty, and program.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.Program and Curriculum
  • Supervise the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; review and evaluate the academic programs.
  • Lead all Lower School teachers in the articulation of the school mission, school goals, curricular objectives, materials, methods, and means of assessment.
  • Steward an environment in which learning can take place, and a school climate that is supportive and which reflects high morale. Ensure that core values of honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility are upheld throughout the Lower School.
  • Work with the Registrar to prepare a master Lower School class schedule.Faculty
    • Build and maintain strong relationships with faculty and staff, based on collaboration and mutual respect.
    • Make recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring and retention, and the assignment of faculty.
    • Establish programs for the orientation of new teachers, for in-service training of all teachers, and for the evaluation of classroom teachers to ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies in all areas of the school operation.
    • Supervise, observe, and evaluate the faculty and promote their professional growth and development.
    • Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
    • Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through tact, helpfulness, respect, and a recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each teacher.
    • Conduct regular meetings with faculty that deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern.
    • Read, edit, and provide feedback on written reports; oversee grading and assessment methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.Student Body
      • Be aware of the educational, physical, and social-emotional needs of the members of our school community and develop plans for monitoring and meeting these needs.
      • Provide for the academic and social-emotional guidance of students; maintain complete academic records on all students.
      • Be responsible for establishing guidelines for proper student conduct and dress; maintain student discipline in line with school policies; monitor students' adherence to established school rules; work with Registrar to maintain accurate records of student attendance.Salary Range$90K - $130K commensurate with years and depth of experience.Indyschool Consultancy is leading this search. For more information or to apply, please contact Tim Viands at .MISSIONWe are The Kew-Forest School.Our community nurtures lifelong learners from around the world.Our educators inspire young people to think boldly and find their voices.Our students support each other and explore thoughtfully as they shape the future.NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATIONThe Kew-Forest School believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. The School prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, culture, background, physical or mental disability, or any other legally protected classes or classifications. No employee or job applicant will be discriminated against in recruitment, compensation, promotion, or termination practices.
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Keywords: National Association of Independent Schools, Lower Merion , Head of Lower School - PreS (3-year-olds) through Grade 5 (Position Available July 1, 2025), Education / Teaching , New York, Pennsylvania