Head of School

SCHOOL FOR FRIENDS

Vacancy Announcement for the Director/Head of School

Overview

The Board of Trustees at School for Friends seeks a person with a passion for early childhood education to lead our extraordinary independent school. School for Friends is a nonprofit, Washington, DC preschool offering full-day educational programs.

For over 40 years, the school's curriculum has reflected the Quaker values of cooperation, equality, and nonviolence. Our developmental program focuses on helping children solve problems together, resolve conflicts, think independently, and make choices. The school has been accredited by NAEYC since 1989 and is a member of the Friends Council on Education.

There are six classrooms at School for Friends with more than fifty students. Classroom groupings are flexible, but include children ages twelve months to five years.

The School has a strong, dedicated, and experienced faculty, who are supported by a robust program of professional development. In addition to the teaching staff and the director, the school employs one full-time office administrator, a full-time education coordinator, an equity and diversity coordinator, a part-time education consultant, a part-time bookkeeper, and a website contractor.

School for Friends follows a conscious approach to instilling Quaker values in our children, contributing to a more just, compassionate society. The school was created by the cooperative efforts of neighborhood parents and members of the Friends Meeting of Washington (Quakers). The school is currently housed at the Church of the Pilgrims near Dupont Circle.

School for Friends embraces the many varieties of diversity in our community. As a visitor will quickly notice, School for Friends students are racially and ethnically diverse. Because of financial aid and scholarships, the school has achieved a modicum of economic diversity and continues to strive to open additional opportunities for students of all economic backgrounds. Since its founding, the School has actively welcomed a diversity of family structures and is particularly welcoming of LGBTQ parents.

School for Friends benefits from engaged and supportive parents from Washington, DC and the surrounding suburbs, who are committed to the program’s success.

Qualities of the Next Director of School for Friends

The next director of School for Friends will be a creative, innovative, and experienced leader who:

• Understands and respects the philosophy and values of School for Friends, and can take that vision forward;
• Communicates warmly, openly, and effectively, and will establish strong relationships with parents and the broader school community;
• Is well-grounded in early childhood education, and will uphold the principles of NAEYC and the Friends Council on Education;
• Is familiar with Quaker values and practice, is committed to building the Quaker identity of the school and playing an active role within the Friends Council on Education, and understands and is comfortable with Quaker process;
• Builds effective and deeply collaborative relationships with staff, parents and the Board of Trustees;
• Fundraises effectively, can work with the Board of Trustees and other partners to ensure the long-term financial viability of the School, builds strong relationships with current donors, and cultivates new donors;
• Is dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion within the School’s faculty, administration and student population; and
• Maintains the excellent reputation of School for Friends, raises its profile, and keeps the School in the forefront of DC preschools.

School for Friends’ Board of Trustees seeks a Director with the qualities and abilities outlined above. Candidates are required to meet current OSSE qualifications for Early Education Facility Directors. We will give preference to candidates with advanced degrees and relevant early childhood teaching and administrative experience.

The salary and benefits for this leadership position are commensurate with a candidate’s experience and background and are competitive with those of comparable institutions.

How to Apply

Applicants should email the following documents to :

• A letter of intent
• A current resume
• A list of three current references with contact information and relationship to applicant
• A statement of educational philosophy that addresses the above qualities.

We will review applications on a rolling basis and continue until the position is filled. School for Friends anticipates that the new director will begin on or about August 1, 2024. For more information, please go to .

School for Friends is strongly committed to equal opportunity for all its employees.

School for Friends does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices

on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s

status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Grade levels:

• Pre-Kindergarten

School type:

• Private school

Ability to Relocate:

• Washington, DC 20037: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person