Upper School Dean of Students

Abington Friends • Jenkintown, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Abington Friends School seeks a Full-Time upper school Dean of Students. The Dean of Students is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the daily life, student culture, and behavioral health of the student body in grades 9-12. Reporting to the Director of the Upper School, the Dean of Students serves as a key member of the Upper School Leadership Team. This role requires a deeply relational leader with high emotional intelligence who can nurture a healthy, joyful, inclusive environment where students are known, challenged, and supported. The Dean manages student life and accountability with a balance of compassion, firmness, and trust, ensuring that school policies are upheld in a manner consistent with Quaker values. Additionally, this position maintains a direct connection to the academic program by fulfilling a part-time teaching requirement.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 3–5 years (5+ years preferred) of successful experience in secondary education, including demonstrated leadership experience preferably within an independent school.

Nice To Haves

• 5+ years of successful experience in secondary education, including demonstrated leadership experience preferably within an independent school.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a visible, steady presence in daily Upper School life (including Meeting for Worship, student-led events, club periods, and community gatherings), fostering an identity-affirming and emotionally healthy environment where student voice is valued and respected.
• Manage all student behavioral matters, handbook updates, and accountability and attendance systems, inviting students to reflect on the impact of their choices, embrace accountability, and take active steps to restore relationships and renew their place in the community.
• Supervise and align the Grade Deans and advisory structures, while serving as the primary advisor for Student Agenda Committee, clubs, and co-curricular programming focused on wellness, identity, and leadership.
• Work in collaboration with the student support team with developing proactive support strategies around student engagement and wellbeing.
• Maintain a direct connection to the academic program by teaching one to two classes annually.
• Partner proactively with parents and guardians, students and colleagues, bringing exceptional communication, clarity, and steadiness to daily updates as well as difficult conversations regarding student progress, conduct, and institutional values.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level