Head of School - Rock Prairie Montessori School, WI

Head of School - Rock Prairie Montessori School, WI

Rock Prairie Montessori School (RPMS) seeks a qualified candidate f or its Head of School position beginning in the fall of 2026. The current Head of School will be retiring and the leadership transition will occur over a year to ensure that the process is smooth and supportive.

Nestled in a picturesque wooded area of Janesville, Wisconsin, RPMS serves 186 students in eight classrooms ranging from Toddler House to Middle School. The well-appointed school building includes a gym, kitchen and recently updated commons areas. Surrounding the school are several play areas including one specifically designed for toddlers, a larger playground and a Gaga Ball pit.

With long-tenured staff, most of whom are fully Montessori-credentialed, the school maintains a child-centered school in accordance with the Montessori Method. There are 32 staff members. RPMS has a strong culture that both values and lives the Montessori philosophy. The school’s administration takes a shared leadership approach, focused on providing a thorough and compassionate approach to education, utilizing best practices. RPMS is guided by a committed Board of Trustees made up of current parents/guardians who have been elected by the membership.

RPMS was established in 1994 as a parent run, non-profit school and has an operating budget of $1.8 million, with strong reserves. The school owns the building, as well as the 10 acres in which it is situated. The facilities have been carefully maintained over the years and thoughtful planning has gone into the necessary upgrades needed. The classrooms include authentic Montessori materials and have been organized to facilitate children’s learning.

Recognizing the importance of foreign language learning for students to become informed and engaged citizens, RPMS offers Spanish to students from age three to eighth grade. The Middle School incorporates a student-run business, Growing Roots, which enables students to learn a full range of skills including soap-making, marketing, sales and finance.

RPMS is affiliated with the International Montessori Council (IMC).

Rock County is located in southern Wisconsin and includes the cities of Janesville and Beloit, as well as other smaller communities. With a population of 165,461, Rock County enjoys abundant natural features, including the Rock River and the Ice Age trail, as well as a number of parks and lakes. Janesville, nearby Beloit and other stateline communities offer a wealth of festivals, cultural events, antique shops and recreational areas that provide year-round opportunities for outdoor enjoyment.

Vision:
Our Rock Prairie community offers an authentic Montessori education, supporting children in reaching their full potential by fostering independence, responsibility, and confidence. Students develop a lifelong love of learning, rooted in respect for one’s self, their school community, and the environment. Through caring relationships, peaceful leadership is instilled within our children as they become engaged global citizens.

Mission:
We create a peaceful, nurturing Montessori environment in partnership with families and our larger community, where children grow in lifelong purpose through curiosity and meaningful exploration.

For more information about RPMS, visit the school's website.

The next Head of School will join a well-established and successful Montessori school with a bright future. They should be invested in partnering with families to continue RPMS’s focus on best practices in Montessori education. The new Head of School must skillfully build trusting relationships with staff and families. A commitment to high-quality Montessori education which builds on the work put in by the staff and families is essential in the new Head of School.

The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with previous experience leading a Montessori school or other educational entity. They should have the ability to lead strategically, setting a clear vision for the continued success of RPMS based on its past accomplishments and building sustained…