Head of School

Great Hearts Academies•Charlotte, NC

3d•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

Realon Christian Academy, a Great Hearts Academies Partner School, is hiring a Founding Head of School to lead the launch of a private, classical and applied STEM high school. The position starts in Fall 2026 ahead of the school’s planned Fall 2027 opening, initially serving grades 9–10, with a school level of grades 9–12. The Head of School is the senior campus leader responsible for the academic, spiritual, cultural, organizational, and operational health of the school. The role establishes and sustains a joyful, faith-filled community characterized by intellectual seriousness, moral formation, excellent teaching, and compassionate service. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, with accountability exercised through the Board Chair, the Head of School leads faculty and the campus leadership team; oversees the student experience and school operations; advances strategic and financial priorities; and represents the school to families, community partners, and other stakeholders. The role is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is salaried and exempt, with a stated salary range of $100,000–$120,000. The Head of School leads the school’s Christian mission and classical educational vision; recruits, develops, and evaluates faculty; oversees instruction, student life, family partnership, and high-school co-curricular programs; and leads campus goals, community relationships, daily operations, budgeting, reporting, and compliance. Employees are required to affirm and adhere to the organization’s faith-based beliefs and principles, including its Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance. Local travel may be needed for training and professional development.

Requirements

Active Christian faith and a personal and professional life consistent with expectations of Christian leadership.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least three years of successful school leadership experience as a dean, assistant head of school, principal, or in a comparable role.
Demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching and in developing, coaching, and evaluating teachers.
Deep understanding of classical education and a well-grounded vision for the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of young adults.
Experience leading high-school academic programs, student culture, family communication, and operational functions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, discretion, organizational discipline, and ability to build trust across a school community.
Ability to analyze student, program, and financial information and translate findings into responsible decisions and clear priorities.
Affirm and adhere to the organization’s faith-based beliefs and principles, including its Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct.
Successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in education, leadership, the liberal arts, theology, or a related field.
Leadership experience in a classical or Christian high school.

Responsibilities

Lead the school in faithful execution of its Christian mission, Statement of Faith, strategic priorities, and commitment to classical education.
Cultivate a Christ-centered culture of prayer, worship, service, Christian charity, and moral formation.
Articulate and communicate a vision for students’ intellectual and moral formation to faculty, students, families, and the broader community.
Integrate faith, learning, and service throughout the academic and communal life of the school.
Lead chapel and other appropriate spiritual formation activities, directly or through designated leaders.
Recruit, select, onboard, supervise, develop, and retain teachers and campus leadership team members.
Set expectations for excellent classical Christian teaching and a strong, collegial faculty culture.
Observe, coach, and evaluate faculty; address performance concerns through support, improvement plans, or corrective action as appropriate.
Oversee implementation of the curriculum and instructional program.
Plan and lead faculty meetings, professional development, in-service days, and other instructional excellence activities.
Lead coordinated coaching, faculty support, data review, academic intervention, and continuous improvement with the campus leadership team.
Ensure the academic program serves students who need additional support as well as those ready for advanced challenge.
Establish and sustain student culture grounded in Christian virtue, classical ideals, intellectual engagement, personal responsibility, and respect.
Oversee systems for student orientation, attendance, conduct, discipline, academic progress, and intervention.
Address elevated student concerns and discipline matters with sound judgment, consistency, compassion, and timely family communication.
Oversee academic advising, college and postsecondary counseling, student support services, athletics, clubs, and other high-school co-curricular programs.
Communicate with families about school priorities, student progress, events, policies, and community life.
Build relationships with students and families from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and remove barriers to student success.
Lead student recruitment, tours, open houses, and prospective family events.
Set and implement short- and long-term campus goals aligned with the school’s mission and Board direction.
Lead and coordinate teams responsible for student services, counseling, athletics, front-office operations, and other campus functions.
Communicate and champion the school’s mission to students, families, faculty, donors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Represent the school before the Board, external partners, auditors, supporters, and the wider community.
Foster partnerships with churches, community organizations, service providers, and other organizations that advance the school’s mission.
Plan and oversee major school traditions, ceremonies, and community events appropriate to a high school.
Oversee daily campus operations and maintain a safe, orderly, welcoming, and mission-aligned learning environment.
Develop and manage the annual school budget with stewardship, accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
Provide or support timely, accurate reporting on expenditures, enrollment, student outcomes, staffing, and other key operating measures.
Improve campus processes, staffing, systems, and resource allocation in collaboration with organizational support personnel.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, school policies, accreditation expectations, and other governing requirements.
Build a service-oriented, collaborative culture across the school.
Travel locally as needed for training and professional development opportunities.