Spartanburg Day School is currently seeking a Middle School Head for the 2025-2026 school year beginning July 1 2025.  Spartanburg Day School is a nationally recognized, nonsectarian school, enrolling approximately 550 students aged 2 to Grade 12. Spartanburg Day School offers a vast array of academic and co-curricular options in a charming college town that is growing in the attractive South Carolina Upstate. 

The Middle School Head is an educational leader responsible for curriculum development  and oversight, supervision and support of faculty, tracking and assuring student progress and achievement, and communicating with families of students.  A key member of the leadership team, the Head of Middle School represents the middle school within the larger school community.  A key role of the Middle School Head is to promote best practices in education to advance and enhance the education experiences of middle school students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Acts as the educational leader of the middle school 
• Works with middle school faculty to fulfill the School’s board-approved mission
• Works with middle school faculty to develop, articulate, and implement curriculum, pedagogy, materials and assessment consistent with the developmental stages and abilities of middle school students. 
• Works in close collaboration with the heads of Preschool, Lower and Upper School to assure communication between divisions, align vertical curriculum, and foster an environment in which the unique qualities of each division are recognized and understood by the entire school community. 
• Promotes unity, harmony and cooperation among middle school faculty through respectful communication and recognition of their individual strengths and differences. 
• Provides a climate that supports learning, reflects high morale, and promotes school spirit. 
• Consults with all middle school teachers on best practices of classroom management, teaching methodology and general school procedures and culture. 
• Observes, mentors, supports and evaluates faculty in accordance with the ?School’s evaluation practices. 
• Conducts regular faculty meetings that deal with school matters and encourage the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational interest and concern. 
• Works toward a resolution of all problems—both routine and unique—as they arise within the middle school and tracks them to completion. 
• Keeps current with educational research. 
• Promotes and engages in professional development. 
• Recognizes the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of middle school students and develops plans to meet those needs. 
• Monitors performance of students; keeps consistent and reliable records, including thorough reports and accurate transcripts. 
• Is available to meet with parents to resolve pending concerns or issues and/or to suggest courses of action that parents should consider to enhance their child’s academic, extra-curricular, and emotional experience. 
• Communicates regularly with the head of school to keep him/her informed about the needs, accomplishments, and plans in middle school. 
• Makes recommendations to the head of school regarding the hiring, retention, and assignment of faculty. 
• Assists the admissions director in all phases of the admission process and conducts an orientation meeting with each incoming family; attends and presents at all admission open houses. 
• Prepares middle school schedule; assigns teachers and students to classes. 
• Oversees the middle school budget. 
• Maintains a comprehensive calendar of middle school events and keeps the entire school community informed of those events. 
• Helps organize and is present at all special middle school events. 
• Attends all-school events, including seminars, community-building and ?fundraising events

EDUCATION

• a Master’s degree and at least ten years’ experience teaching in a middle school program, preferably in an independent school.
• highly effective communication skills with all school constituencies and the wider Spartanburg community.
• the ability to think critically and analytically and to solve problems
• the ability to work effectively and respectfully as a team member.

EXPERIENCE

• Leadership experience at the middle school grade level(s).
• Knowledge of child development and current research in the field.
• Proficient with technology, knowledgeable in technology trends and an advocate of technology integration in the classroom.
• Experience with curriculum development and evaluation, 
• Experience as a teacher, mentor, and motivator.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Comfortable with evaluation as a process for continuous improvement. 
• A life long learner.
• An individual with high energy and drive, approachable and professional, fair-minded, with excellent listening and communication skills. 

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, current resume,  and an educational philosophy statement to careers@sdsgriffin.org

Spartanburg Day School welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.  We are committed to creating an environment of respect for our faculty, staff and students.    Spartanburg Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a policy of non-discrimination in the treatment of employees or applicants of employment without consideration of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran status, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or the presence of disability.

About Spartanburg Day School

At Spartanburg Day School, there is a difference. Our community provides each student with an unparalleled education. Here, they are known. They feel safe to take risks, own their learning and achieve their personal best. Our students are confident learners who are prepared to meet the challenges of college and of life. Established in 1957, Spartanburg Day School is a nationally accredited independent school for students in grades 2K-12. Our Mission: to provide a superior educational experience, in a community of trust, that prepares students for a life well lived. We Value: Excellence, Individuality, Leadership, Curiosity and Passion

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