Position: High School Director
Reports to: Head of School
Evaluated: Annually
FLSA Qualification: 12 Month Exempt
Supervises: High School teachers, High School Student Support Staff, Student Life/College Counselor, Registrar/Executive Assistant, and works with the Parent Society

Position Purpose: 

Under the direction of the Head of School, the High School Director provides leadership for the instructional program, as well as coordinating the implementation, review, and revision of the curriculum. The Director manages the operation and all functions of the grade 9 -12 secondary school. The Director supervises school staff regarding instruction, curriculum, student programs and issues, and building operations. The Director schedules and attends meetings, as appropriate, and leads the school improvement process.  

The High School Director’s responsibilities include:

• Leadership: The Director is a trusted leader who guides the school's day-to-day operations and inspires students, teachers, and staff. 

• Curriculum: The Director works with the College of Teachers and Head of School to develop, implement, and maintain Waldorf curriculum standards, and oversees the effectiveness of curriculum management. 

• Teaching and learning: The Director promotes the improvement of teaching and learning, and helps determine the direction of classroom instruction. 

• Student support: The Director counsels and disciplines students, and meets with parents and teachers to discuss students' progress and behavior. 

• Staff management: The Director manages school activities and staff, including teachers and support personnel. They also organize professional development programs and workshops for staff. 

• School operations: The Director manages the school's budget, orders school supplies, and schedules maintenance. They also establish and coordinate security procedures for students, staff, and visitors. 

• Administrative tasks: The Director handles daily administrative tasks in their office.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises and evaluates certified secondary staff, ensuring that the proper elements of Waldorf instruction are implemented; coordinates the teacher supervision and evaluation processes.

• Evaluates all direct reports in the performance of their duties. 

• Manages staff and program improvement processes, as well as teacher Professional Development Plans. 

• Screens, interviews, and recommends the selection of staff; including teachers and support staff. 

• Assures the existence of a faculty participating decision-making process following dynamic governance.

• Manages all staff orientation processes. 

• Leads new teacher training.

• Manages and edits the high school handbook. 

• Manages all building security and staff procedures, including evacuation and emergency plans.

• Takes steps to ensure excellent public relations, including the parent newsletter, building and teacher websites, the school paper, and the yearbook.

• Manages all advisory groups, including teacher, staff, parent, and student groups.

• Plans and implements recognition events such as academic award banquets, recognition assemblies, and graduation ceremonies.

• Co-supervises and manages the building technology plan. 

• Manages, analyzes, and interprets data, including assessment results, for school improvement purposes. 

• Leads professional development for faculty and staff in the high school.

• Creates, reviews, and assesses the teachers’ and students’ daily and weekly schedules.

• Reviews and ensures the accuracy of student report cards, progress report cards, and transcripts, addressing any discrepancies or issues that arise.

• Manages and signs off on reports and transcripts.

• Maintains and updates the correct list of classes and class divisions each year, ensuring alignment with the school's curriculum, staffing needs, and student enrollment.

• Ensure the Student Information System (SIS) is configured correctly and reflects the high school's policies, procedures, and academic structures with the help of a Registrar/Executive Assistant.

• Plans and implements recruitment events from the Enrollment/Admissions Office.

• Works collaboratively with the College of Teachers on school curriculum.

• Works with the HR Office on the onboarding and offboarding of teachers.

• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Professional Requirements 

• Excellent supervisory and leadership skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the proven ability to professionally and effectively communicate with educators, parents, and community leaders.

• Thorough understanding of applicable local, state, and federal educational laws, regulations, policies, and requirements.

• Knowledge of curriculum and curriculum trends as well as AWSNA and ISAS requirements.  

• Knowledge of adolescent and child development, learning styles, and motivation.  

• Understanding of a budget and financial operations, including how to build a budget and assess building and staffing needs.  

• Understanding of school laws, rules, and regulations, including special education and due process, graduation standards, and requirements.  

• Communicator: Strong interpersonal communication skills & ability to communicate well in a variety of venues and mediums.

• Self-Starter: Ability to take initiative, work independently, and hold oneself accountable.

• Organized and Deadline-Oriented: Ability to manage multiple projects with converging deadlines while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude. 

• Trustworthy: Commitment to abide by a strict code of conduct. 

• Confidential: Must have the ability to keep sensitive information private.

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Education or related field.

• Bachelor’s in Education or related educational field.

• Waldorf Training and/or experience preferred.

Experience in a Senior Leadership position for at least three years.

About Austin Waldorf School

AWS is an established school community with a projected enrollment of around 390 students in pre-kindergarten-12 (85+ students in the high school) for the 2024/2025 school year. AWS is fully accredited by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). Community events, such as festivals, concerts, plays, athletics, and adult education classes, create an atmosphere of cultural enrichment. Our picturesque 30-acre campus consists of four kindergartens, eight-grade school classrooms, library, handwork room, nine-classroom high school including a state-of-the-art science lab, performing arts center, gymnasium, eurythmy hall, art studio, school store, gardens, and playgrounds. Austin is a vibrant city set in the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. It’s a beautiful place to live with many offerings of a much larger city while providing quick access to lovely greenspace. The Austin Waldorf School is a non-profit organization that welcomes applicants of any religion, race, color, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin

Connections working at Austin Waldorf School