Head of School Position Description
Adams County Christian Academy is a Christ-centered traditional school. The Head of School embodies the mission of the school and articulates the mission for all aspects of the school’s program. In keeping with the school’s mission, the Head of School fosters the traditions, relationships, and practices that determine the school’s climate and culture.
The Head of School is the sole employee of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall management of the school in accordance with the Board’s policies. The Head of School is the spokesperson for the school with all its internal and external constituencies including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, business community, governmental agencies, and local, state, regional and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies.
Though much of the work is properly delegated, the Head of School has ultimate and overall responsibility for board relations, curriculum and instruction, student life, business affairs, admission and advancement. The Head of School is responsible for ensuring that all of the resources of the organization come together in focus to build on the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the school.
Spiritual Leadership
The Head of School sets the spiritual tone of the school on which all other aspects are based. This quote encompasses the characteristics of a spiritual leader as they are desired in the Head of School:
“The spiritual leader's task is to move people from where they are to where God wants them to be. Once spiritual leaders understand God's will, they make every effort to move their followers from following their own agendas to pursuing God's purposes. Spiritual leaders depend on the Holy Spirit. Spiritual leaders work within a paradox, for God calls them to do something that, in fact, only God can do. Ultimately, spiritual leaders cannot produce spiritual change in people; only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this. Yet the Spirit often uses people to bring about spiritual growth in others.” -Lead With Your Life, Henry and Richard Blackaby
Student Life
The Head of School advises the Board but is not responsible for governance matters just as the Board advises the Head but is not responsible for management matters. Together, the Head of School and Board of Trustees form an equal partnership in running the school, each in their respective spheres of management and governance. The Head of School is an ex officio, non-voting, member of the Board and all Board committees.
The Head of School is the sole employee of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall management of the school in accordance with the Board’s policies. The Head of School is the spokesperson for the school with all its internal and external constituencies including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, business community, governmental agencies, and local, state, regional and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies.
Though much of the work is properly delegated, the Head of School has ultimate and overall responsibility for board relations, curriculum and instruction, student life, business affairs, admission and advancement. The Head of School is responsible for ensuring that all of the resources of the organization come together in focus to build on the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the school.
Spiritual Leadership
The Head of School sets the spiritual tone of the school on which all other aspects are based. This quote encompasses the characteristics of a spiritual leader as they are desired in the Head of School:
“The spiritual leader's task is to move people from where they are to where God wants them to be. Once spiritual leaders understand God's will, they make every effort to move their followers from following their own agendas to pursuing God's purposes. Spiritual leaders depend on the Holy Spirit. Spiritual leaders work within a paradox, for God calls them to do something that, in fact, only God can do. Ultimately, spiritual leaders cannot produce spiritual change in people; only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this. Yet the Spirit often uses people to bring about spiritual growth in others.” -Lead With Your Life, Henry and Richard Blackaby
Student Life
- Organizes student activities and extracurricular opportunities.
- Administers the school’s discipline policies and standards of conduct.
- Supervises the school’s support systems, such as counseling, academic support, before- and after-school programs, college or secondary school counseling, health and wellness, etc.
- Oversees the school safety programs including building security, emergency procedures, transportation regulations, tornado and fire drills, etc.
- Promotes a healthy student culture in and out of school.
- Optimizes all-school gatherings including assemblies, sporting events, performances, etc.
- Provides for Biblical worldview education in keeping with the mission of the school.
- Ensures student progress reports for parents on a timely and helpful basis.
- Understands and supervises the business functions of the school, including contract negotiations and signing; budgeting; monitoring and reporting income, expenses, investments, and cash flow; maintenance of appropriate records; and assisting the school’s auditors.
- Oversees all employment and human relations matters, such as contracts, salaries, benefits, job assignments, job orientation, performance evaluation, retentions and dismissals, personnel records, employee handbooks, etc.
- Oversees the maintenance and cleaning of the buildings, grounds, and all facility operations including vehicles, equipment, etc.
- Plans and monitors all major capital purchases, repair and building projects in keeping with Board of Trustees policies.
- Accountable for and assists the admissions functions of the school, including recruitment programs, internal marketing, external outreach, website development and maintenance, information dissemination, and applicant testing and interviewing.
- Accountable for the admissions decision-making process, including administration of the school’s financial aid program.
- Optimizes the school’s fund-raising programs such as the annual fund, capital campaigns, planned giving, and major events.
- Accountable for the schools development efforts in identifying, cultivating, thanking, and communicating with past and prospective donors.
- Accountable for the school’s relations with its alumni including development and maintenance of the alumni database, communications programs, and special events.
- Accountable for all volunteer efforts including, but not limited to, those donated by individuals or organized groups, etc., all of which report to the Head of School or his/her designee.
- Upholds the academic and ethical standards of the school.
- Hires, supervises, evaluates, and dismisses all administrators, faculty, and staff members in conjunction with the appropriate supervisor(s).
- Provides for the professional development of the faculty and fosters professionalism, collegiality, and ethical conduct in the faculty.
- Stimulates and participates in the dialog about teaching and learning at the school.
- Supervises the selection of curricula, class schedules, assessments, graduation requirements, and all aspects of the school’s academic program. Provides leadership in obtaining and maintaining accreditation.
- Optimizes the physical learning environment and technology in all instructional areas.
The Head of School advises the Board but is not responsible for governance matters just as the Board advises the Head but is not responsible for management matters. Together, the Head of School and Board of Trustees form an equal partnership in running the school, each in their respective spheres of management and governance. The Head of School is an ex officio, non-voting, member of the Board and all Board committees.
- Keeps the Board informed of all matters relating to the school through reports at Board meetings and immediate communication following major school events or happenings.
- Provides data to assist the Board in its work.
- Makes recommendations to the Board for approval of the operating and capital budgets, including all categories of income and expenditures.
- Seeks direction from the Board on new initiatives.
- Assists the Board Chair and/or executive committee in setting Board and committee meeting agendas and discussion topics.
- Staffs the Board’s strategic planning process.
- Jointly with the Board, sets annual goals for his/her performance.
- Provides documentation materials for the Board to use in his/her evaluation.
- Sees that Board records and minutes are properly filed, and otherwise assists the Board in its works as asked.
- Preferred (not required) Master’s degree or higher in education, ministry, business, nonprofit or equivalent field.
- A committed Christian with a sound understanding of the Bible and have a lifestyle that reflects spiritual maturity and intimacy with God.
- Demonstrate personal character traits exemplified by integrity, humility, a servant’s heart, and the fruits of the Spirit. The Head of School must understand and live a life exhibiting balance between professional duties and home life.
- Able to lead effectively in a team environment with accountability to the Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate will be known as a leader who is capable of mentoring others, building teams, and creating a supportive work environment characterized by high morale.
- Effective communicator who can deal effectively with all stakeholders of the school, i.e. staff, students, parents, donors, and the community at large. Along with communication skills, the Head of School will have fundraising experience or at least demonstrate the desire and ability to fulfill this significant role.
- Be a role model and develop staff as maturing disciples of Christ.
Interested candidates may submit resumes to [email protected].