Head of Lower School - Richmond - The Covenant School

Description

Job Title: Head of Lower School

Reports To: Headmaster

FLSA Status: Exempt

Division: Lower School (grades K–6)

Position Summary

The Head of Lower School serves as the chief academic, administrative, and spiritual leader of the Lower School, stewarding a program that is faithfully classical, unwaveringly Christian, and aligned with the mission and standards of the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS). The Head of Lower School leads faculty, students, and families in cultivating a joyful, orderly, and formative learning environment that lays a strong foundation in knowledge, virtue, and love of learning in service to Christ.

Mission Alignment

• The school's mission, statement of faith, and educational philosophy
• The ACCS model of classical Christian education
• The formative purpose of the grammar stage, emphasizing knowledge acquisition, habit formation, and wonder
• The integration of faith, learning, and character in all aspects of the Lower School

Primary Responsibilities

Academic and Classical Leadership

• Oversee the Lower School curriculum to ensure alignment with ACCS standards and classical Christian pedagogy, with particular attention to the grammar stage of the Trivium.
• Ensure instruction emphasizes mastery of foundational knowledge, language development, phonics, mathematics, history, science, and biblical understanding.
• Promote teacher‑led instruction, orderly classrooms, repetition, memorization, narration, and age‑appropriate Socratic questioning.
• Supervise classroom instruction through regular observations, coaching, and evaluation.
• Lead faculty development in classical methodology, child development, and Christian worldview integration.
• Monitor academic standards, assessment practices, and student progress.

Faculty Leadership and Supervision

• Recruit, hire, onboard, mentor, and evaluate Lower School faculty and instructional aides.
• Ensure faculty understand and faithfully implement the school's classical Christian approach to teaching young children.
• Foster a faculty culture marked by joy, order, professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and shared mission.
• Address performance or conduct concerns with clarity, consistency, and pastoral care.
• Lead faculty meetings, curriculum planning, and instructional alignment.

Student Formation and Care

• Oversee student life, discipline, and daily routines in a manner that is formative, restorative, and developmentally appropriate.
• Ensure discipline practices are consistent, loving, and grounded in biblical principles.
• Promote habits of obedience, respect, attention, diligence, and joy in learning.
• Support the spiritual formation of students through chapel, prayer, Scripture, and modeled Christian character.
• Collaborate with teachers and support staff to address academic, behavioral, or developmental concerns.

Parent Partnership and Communication

• Partner with parents as the primary educators of their children through clear communication and mutual support.
• Serve as the primary administrative contact for Lower School parents regarding academics, discipline, and student well‑being.
• Communicate Lower School philosophy, expectations, and initiatives clearly and proactively.
• Support admissions, orientation, and parent education efforts related to the Lower School.

Administration and Operations

• Oversee daily operations of the Lower School, including schedules, procedures, supervision, and logistics.
• Ensure accurate student records related to attendance, assessments, and promotion.
• Support ACCS accreditation or reaccreditation processes as they pertain to the Lower School.
• Collaborate with the Head of School and other division leaders on school‑wide initiatives and strategic planning.
• Assist in budget planning and resource allocation for the Lower School.

Spiritual Leadership

• Model Christlike character, humility, and servant leadership.
• Shepherd faculty and students spiritually through prayer, counsel, and example.
• Ensure that Christian faith is integrated naturally and consistently throughout the Lower School experience.
• Guard the theological and philosophical integrity of the Lower School program in alignment with the school's confession and ACCS standards.

Qualifications

Required

• Clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ and active membership in a local church.
• Full agreement with the school's statement of faith and commitment to classical Christian education.
• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Teaching experience in elementary education, preferably in a classical Christian or ACCS‑affiliated school.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in education (e.g., lead teacher, department chair, assistant director, or administrator).

Preferred

• Advanced or terminal degree.
• Formal training or substantial experience in classical pedagogy, particularly the grammar stage.
• Elementary school or grammar school teaching experience, preferably in a classical Christian or ACCS‑affiliated school.
• Experience supervising faculty and supporting instructional development.
• Familiarity with ACCS accreditation standards and expectations.

Skills and Competencies

• Deep understanding of child development within a classical Christian framework.
• Strong instructional leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead with warmth, clarity, and consistency.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Capacity to partner effectively with parents and support faculty growth.
• Commitment to excellence, joy, order, and Christian formation.

Work Expectations

• Full‑time administrative position with regular on‑campus presence.
• Occasional evening or weekend responsibilities for school events, parent meetings, and community functions.

Salary

• Hiring Range: $60,000 to $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and three references to Vanessa Peete, Dean of Administration, at