Lower School Principal

Colorado Academy•Denver, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Colorado Academy (CA) seeks an inspiring, student-centered, and visionary leader to serve as its next Lower School Principal, beginning July 2027. This is a distinctive opportunity to lead a division that embraces academic excellence, social emotional learning, and whole-child education at one of the country’s premier independent schools. The next Lower School Principal will join Colorado Academy at a time of optimism and momentum—with strong enrollment, a strategic vision for innovation, and a thriving culture of faculty and student engagement, led by Head of School Dr. Mike Davis. The Principal will shape the lives of CA’s youngest students and the educators who teach them—and help ensure CA continues to lead as one of the most dynamic, inclusive, and well-rounded educational institutions in the country. Colorado Academy's next Lower School Principal will join a joyful, student-centered community with deep traditions and a highly dedicated faculty, will help shape the division's next chapter, and will guide the division in the following areas: Steward a Joyful, Whole-Child Culture; Strengthen Professional Growth and Coaching; Reimagine Lower School Leadership Structure; Advocate for Lower School; Partner with Families; Manage change and renovations. The next principal will be an excellent educational leader, able to develop curriculum, coach faculty, and provide real structure and clarity, but equally important is high emotional intelligence and genuine humility. The Lower School benefits from a leader who is approachable, empathetic, and collaborative, but who can also set clear expectations, make decisions, communicate the “why,” and give faculty and families confidence about where the division is headed. The Lower School Principal will bring a combination of educational expertise, high EQ, humility, visibility, and decisive leadership.

Requirements

Experience teaching and leading in a lower school.
Appreciation for the challenges and opportunities inherent in a complex, multi-division school.
Proven ability to inspire, support, and lead faculty in a culture that values both autonomy and collaboration.
Nuanced understanding of best practices in student-centered pedagogy and curriculum design.
Understanding of state childcare licensing requirements.
A track record of inclusive leadership and a strong commitment to equity and belonging.
The ability to communicate verbally and in writing with inspiration and clarity.
A history of thoughtful innovation moderated by a skillful and sensitive approach to change.
A community-building leadership style that is collaborative whenever possible and decisive when necessary, demonstrating approachability, trustworthiness, and a commitment to honoring multiple perspectives.
The willingness to prioritize visibility amidst the demands of a busy professional schedule.
Willingness to honor the division’s culture and history while gently guiding it into the future.
High emotional intelligence and genuine humility.
Approachability, empathy, and collaboration.
Decisive leadership.

Nice To Haves

A genuine love for young children and delight in the daily life of a Lower School.
Authenticity, kindness, and humility, with a playful spirit and sense of humor.
Comfort with autonomy balanced with leadership confidence.
Skill in managing conflict and holding crucial conversations with care.
Team leadership mentality.

Responsibilities

Steward a joyful, whole-child culture that emphasizes the strength of the community, focuses on the whole child, and cherishes traditions that elevate the school’s core values of courage, curiosity, and kindness.
Build pathways for consistent feedback and professional growth for faculty, including additional coaching in areas of recent curricular change.
Explore shared leadership possibilities, including the creation of an assistant principal role and expanding other pathways to leadership within the division.
Advocate for the Lower School within a Pre-K–12 setting while maintaining a broad institutional mindset and collaborating with the leadership team.
Partner with families, providing counsel and direction regarding their child’s development and progress.
Play a role in designing and reimagining the instructional space for the Lower School during campus renovations.
Develop curriculum, coach faculty, and provide structure and clarity.
Set clear expectations, make decisions, and communicate the rationale behind them.
Carry out the CA Mission, "Creating Curious, Kind, Courageous, and Adventurous Learners and Leaders."
Support the vision of CA and contribute to the life of the school outside of the classroom.