Assistant Head of Lower School

Charlotte Country Day School•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Charlotte Country Day School (Country Day) is one of the largest independent, co-educational schools in the Charlotte area and one of the 15 largest in the continental United States. Enrollment is very strong, and the school is thriving. Highly regarded for the rigor of its academic program and the breadth of its offerings in the arts, athletics, community service, and leadership, Country Day is noteworthy for a long tradition of positioning itself at the forefront of curricular innovation. A strong, forward-thinking institution, Country Day offers every child a chance to shine. The school is a diverse, inclusive community with strong academic and co-curricular programs designed for students to learn to think critically, act respectfully, and show sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. The unique curriculum offered by Country Day prepares and strengthens students for participation in their local and global communities. With its focus on diversity, service, global study, and technology, Country Day positions students for future success in an ever-changing world. Country Day is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community. Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality. The Assistant Head of Lower School is a senior leadership position at the lower school responsible for advancing the school’s mission through student life, instructional leadership, faculty development, and a deep commitment to the academic, social and emotional growth of lower school student learners. Reporting to the Head of Lower School, the Assistant Head works collaboratively with the Head of Lower School, Director of Studies, and others on the Administrative Team to ensure a coherent, developmentally responsive Lower School program and serves as the primary school leader in the Head of Lower School’s absence.

Requirements

Master’s degree required or strongly preferred in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
Minimum of 5-10 years of teaching experience, with significant lower school experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrate leadership experience in roles such as department chair, grade-level leader, dean, assistant principal, or division-leader administrator.
Experience with: Student life support systems and programs
Faculty supervision, coaching, and evaluation
Faculty hiring and onboarding
Curriculum development and instructional leadership
Demonstrate understanding of child development and lower school philosophy.
Commitment to ongoing professional growth, collaboration, and reflective practice.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively across departments and constituencies.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an independent school setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior Lower School leader and strategic partner to the Head of Lower School in advancing the mission, values, and strategic priorities of the school.
Act on behalf of the Head of Lower School as needed, providing leadership continuity and operational oversight.
Oversee student life, including student behavior to promote accountability and community.
Work with Head of Lower School to support, develop and supervise the assistant teachers.
Support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and foster a positive school climate and staff.
Model ethical leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to inclusive practices and community belonging.
Collaborate with the Head of Lower School and Director of Studies to support curriculum development, vertical and horizontal alignment, assessment practices, and program coherence.
Communicate and collaborate proactively and constructively with parents and faculty to strengthen partnerships in support of student learning and well-being.
Collaborate with the Head of Lower School on strategic planning, policy implementation, and daily school operations.
Build strong relationships with students and maintain a visible, engaged presence in the Lower School.
Help to coordinate programs with Upper School and Middle School to foster better alignment JK-12.
Work with the Head of Lower School on faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and professional growth in alignment with independent school best practices.
Collaborate with grade coordinators on school and grade level initiatives.
Observe, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty to promote excellence in teaching and learning.
Provide instructional leadership grounded in research and child development.
Partner with admissions and advancement colleagues to support enrollment efforts, admissions events, and school communications as appropriate.
Support accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and continuous school improvement initiatives.