Website Stevenson School
Stevenson School is a PK-12 co-educational, college-preparatory, boarding and day school with enrollment of 770 students on two campuses in beautiful Central Coast California. The Upper Division campus (Grades 9-12) is located in Pebble Beach. The Lower/Middle Campus (Grades PK-8) is in nearby Carmel-by-the-Sea. Stevenson is a mission driven school that aims to help students shape joyful lives while instilling a passion for learning and achievement to prepare them for success in school and beyond. The core values of the community are safety, trust, respect, belonging, and inclusion. Stevenson offers a substantial need-based financial aid program to support students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.
Prior to this year, Stevenson had a somewhat unique administrative structure with a single administrator overseeing two divisions spanning the elementary and middle school years. A planned internal move at the senior administration level presented the opportunity to examine this structure and determine that dedicated division head-level leadership specific to each distinct division will more fully support optimal delivery of the School’s program and mission, ensuring an ideal continuum of program and curriculum for grades PK – 12 and bolstering cohesive community and culture across both campuses.
Stevenson School seeks a Head of Middle Division, Grades 5-8, to start July 1, 2024. This newly added position reports directly to the president of the School and is a member of the senior administrative team. The successful candidate will have a passion for middle years education and the vision and leadership skills to lead the division and its 21-member faculty team towards continued excellence in delivery of an academic experience of the highest caliber. The head of the middle division (HMD) will demonstrate critical achievement working with this age group as both an instructor and administrator, such that they will be able to credibly and effectively inspire, mentor, and guide faculty in all areas of practice including curriculum development, pedagogy, and assessment, and appropriately engage with the parent community to engender confidence in and understanding of program and practices.
This divisional leadership opportunity is a result of the recent reconfiguration of Stevenson’s academic administration structure to add a fourth division head. PK – 8 has been separated into two distinct areas of administrative oversight with a head of lower division responsible for grades PK-4, and a head of middle division providing leadership for grades 5-8.
The successful candidate will have what will likely be a once-in-a-career opportunity to define the middle school experience at a well established and highly regarded independent school. This work will be accomplished with support from a dedicated and talented group of current program leads who will partner with the HMD on horizontal and vertical alignment of middle division curriculum. Two newly appointed leadership roles, middle division dean of students and middle division social-emotional learning (SEL) coordinator are positioned to collaborate on an enhanced SEL advisory curriculum. An exciting recent addition to the Carmel campus is a full-time school counselor with specific responsibility for grades PK-8. The incoming head of middle division will have the opportunity to meaningfully integrate the school counselor role into the life of the middle division.
As illustrated by this detail, Stevenson’s Carmel campus has undergone a significant amount of change in a short period of time. The School seeks a head of middle division who excels at and is able to meaningfully lead and support change management.
A recent 360 school engagement survey illustrated that, like most schools, in this post-pandemic moment Stevenson must prioritize community building. The HMD will be stepping into a prime opportunity to establish community connections within the parent population as well as the wider local community on the Monterey Peninsula.
With an average enrollment of 135-140 students, the middle division is housed on a stunningly picturesque campus in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. With spacious, light-filled classrooms, choral and instrumental music instruction space, visual arts studio, student garden, lunch cafe, an abundance of outdoor spaces, and ocean views, Stevenson’s middle division presents an idyllic setting for learning and enrichment.
Middle division program and operation is supported by a recent external review that provided an objective assessment of the program, informing a subsequent focus on critical inquiry as the guiding principle underpinning the division’s curriculum and pedagogy.
Position statement
Responsibilities Include:
Administrative oversight of all aspects of the middle division including academics, co-curricular program, student life, division schedule, and parent communication
In partnership with program leads, supervision of faculty members across the full scope of their professional practice including ongoing evaluation and enhancement of curriculum and pedagogical approaches to effectively deliver an educational experience that will lead to success in learning objectives
Leadership of program leads committee
Effective articulation of the mission of the school and middle division program to all constituencies; faculty, students, current and prospective parents, school leadership, and trustees
Active participation as a member of the school’s senior administrative team
Oversight of ongoing development of faculty via meaningful professional learning opportunities, coaching, observation, and evaluation, to support effective implementation of a wide range of pedagogical tools and strategies appropriate to each developmental stage
Development and leadership of a consistent and productive teacher evaluation model to promote continual growth and achievement of excellence in teaching and learning
After school/co-curricular programming; oversee and further develop a robust enrichment program for middle division students
Partnership with the office of equity and inclusion to meaningfully incorporate an equity and inclusion lens into all aspects of division programming and curriculum to optimize the experience of faculty and students and ensure an inclusive learning environment in which all students feel seen, heard, valued, and represented
Work with middle division dean of students on development and oversight of a consistent, empathetic, and meaningful disciplinary process that includes clear communication of expectations and outcomes to students, parents, and faculty
Partnership with the Dean of Enrollment Management to recruit and retain a diverse, talented and engaged student body and provide meaningful onboarding for students and families new to Stevenson
Collaboration with the heads of the lower and upper divisions on the scope and sequence of curriculum and program, PK – 12
Work with SEL coordinator on the continued development and implementation of an effective social-emotional learning program and incorporation of SEL into all aspects of middle division programming
Active engagement in recruitment, onboarding, and retention of faculty and staff
Collaboration with the director of HR, chief community engagement officer, and division heads to design and deliver meaningful and effective onboarding for new faculty, including Stevenson’s annual Summer Faculty Symposium
Development and delivery of compelling parent programming to educate and increase engagement
Budgetary oversight including collaboration with the CFO and controller to annually project, build and maintain division budget
Active engagement and participation in the Stevenson School community, including attendance of academic, athletic and performing arts events
Other duties as assigned by the School president
In keeping with Stevenson’s core values, we seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion.
Required Qualifications:
5-10+ years of administrative leadership experience within an independent or public school setting(s) at this grade level
Demonstrated background in student-centered teaching, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, implementation of a wide array of pedagogical approaches to support divergent learning styles, and a variety of assessment methods
Comprehensive understanding of the developmental and emotional needs of middle school students
Outstanding written and verbal communication ability and highly developed presentation skills
Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a school leadership team
Commitment to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive school community
Stevenson is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The anticipated salary range for this position is $110,000 – $150,000 annually. In addition to competitive salary, Stevenson is pleased to provide a comprehensive benefits package. Housing support is offered for eligible employees. Resources to support advanced degree work, as well as participation in professional conferences, workshops, summer study, and travel, are also available. Meals are provided throughout the day when school is in session.
Stevenson is pleased to offer transportation support and accommodations, as needed, along with an introduction to the local area, for those candidates who travel from outside of the region for on-campus employment interviews.
Interested candidates are invited to use the link provided to submit a resume and cover letter to:
Susan Fahey Khanna, Director of Human Resources
