Assistant Head of Upper School

Description Position Purpose

The Assistant Head of Upper School – Academics is a key instructional leader who champions academic excellence, faculty growth, and a thriving school culture. In close partnership with the Head of Upper School, department chairs, and faculty, this role drives high-quality teaching and learning, ensures curricular coherence, and supports students through data-informed, mission-aligned practices. This leader plays a vital role in shaping a positive, effective learning environment where students flourish academically and spiritually.

Head of Upper School

• Provide visionary leadership for the Upper School curriculum, ensuring integrity, coherence, and alignment with Tennessee state standards, as well as vertical alignment with Upper and Lower School programs.
• Partner with the Head of Upper School and department chairs to design, implement, and refine content pacing guides.
• Lead and embed the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model as the cornerstone of instructional practice in the Upper School.
  • Champion continuous student growth and foster a culture of encouragement, collaboration, and professional excellence among faculty.
• Ensure curriculum alignment across departments and oversee a systematic curriculum review process.
• Collaborate with the Head of Upper School to develop the annual academic schedule; take full ownership of execution, student enrollment, and schedule accuracy.
  • Ensure students are appropriately placed in courses and that families receive clear, timely communication during the summer.
  • Coordinate elective offerings and ensure student choices are accurately reflected in schedules.
• Oversee Upper School assessments, benchmarks, and testing; partner with teachers to analyze data, design individualized support plans, and implement timely interventions.
• Collaborate with teachers and families to proactively support students who are not meeting academic expectations.
• Partner with faculty to ensure grading timelines and reporting expectations are met with consistency and clarity.

• Collaborate with the administrative team in the annual teacher evaluation and growth process.
• Mentor and coach faculty and staff in alignment with professional growth goals and the school’s mission.
• Partner regularly with department and grade-level chairs to strengthen instructional practice and student outcomes.
• Model excellence in PLC leadership and collaborate with faculty on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Work collaboratively with the Upper School administrative team to address student discipline in ways that are restorative, consistent, and mission-aligned.

• Stay current on academic requirements from accrediting bodies and applicable state regulations.
• Plan, organize, and lead annual academic awards and recognition programs.
• Partner with the Upper School Leadership Team while taking primary responsibility for planning, communicating, and executing annual parent nights and academic events.

• Demonstrated understanding of a Christian worldview as it applies to multiple facets of the US such as academics, athletics, fine arts, and technology.
• Deep understanding of the developmental characteristics of students ages 11–14.
• Strong knowledge of leadership, supervision, and school operations.
• Working knowledge of PLC frameworks and collaborative team structures.
• Understanding of state standards, child protection policies, and school law.

• Bachelor’s degree in education or a related field required
• Master’s degree in educational leadership strongly preferred

• Five or more years of classroom experience as an instructional leader
• Prior school administrative experience highly valued
• At least two years of experience working with students ages 11–14 strongly preferred

• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships with parents, students, faculty, and staff
• Exceptional interpersonal and relational leadership skills
• Clear, compelling written and verbal communication
• Strong technology and data literacy
• Ability to assess academic needs and lead strategic…