Collegiate School seeks a dynamic and dedicated educational leader to serve as the Assistant Head of Lower School: Academics & Instructional Leadership for the 2026-2027 school year. This full-time faculty leadership role advances the vision, culture, and academic excellence of the Lower School.

The Assistant Head of Lower School: Academics & Instructional Leadership partners closely with the Head of Lower School to strengthen instructional practice, ensure cohesive academic systems, and support faculty across grades JK–4. This role provides leadership in curriculum, assessment, faculty development, and academic operations, ensuring that teaching and learning align with Collegiate’s mission and values. The Assistant Head collaborates with division leadership, counselors, learning specialists, and the Assistant Head of Student Support & Community Life to support student learning and well-being.

This is a full-time, benefitted position, 12-month position reporting directly to the Head of the Lower School.

General responsibilities will include:

Instructional Leadership & Faculty Development

• Coach and support faculty in effective instructional practices, classroom systems, and professional growth, including the adoption of research-based strategies and Responsive Classroom practices.
• Lead the development, alignment, and evaluation of the JK–4 curriculum to ensure coherence across grades and subjects.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide timely, constructive feedback that informs faculty reflection, goal setting, and evaluation.
• Partner with grade level chairs and curriculum leaders to strengthen instructional planning, assessment practices, and program coherence.

Assessment & Reporting

• Oversee progress reports, academic reporting systems, and standardized assessments to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with expectations.
• Support faculty in using assessment and screening data to inform instruction and guide program improvement.
• Lead Lower School curriculum mapping and monitor implementation to maintain coherence and fidelity across grades.

Professional Learning & Faculty Onboarding

• Design and lead professional learning aligned with instructional priorities.
• Support new teachers through onboarding, curriculum design, instructional planning, and assessment practices.
• Participate in shared evaluation responsibilities, including observations and goal setting.

Academic Operations & Scheduling

• Oversee key academic systems including scheduling, calendars, instructional planning structures, and duty assignments to protect instructional time, support collaboration, and ensure smooth execution of Lower School initiatives.
• Support safety procedures, drills, and operational preparedness.
• Coordinate with facilities, food services, and other operational partners to ensure strong alignment with instructional programming.

Experiential Learning, Events & Community Engagement

• Coordinate field trips, chapels, assemblies, academic events, and community service initiatives to ensure strong logistics, alignment with curricular goals, and meaningful connections to grade level learning.

Community Expectations

• Support teachers with behavior concerns, particularly when instructional context or classroom systems are involved.

Leadership & Division Operations

• Support day to day Lower School operations, contribute to policy and procedure development, and co-plan faculty meetings and professional learning.
• Partner with the Head of Lower School and the Director of Inclusion & Belonging to advance equitable, inclusive instructional practices.
• Participate in admissions, enrollment events, faculty hiring, and other division initiatives and special projects as needed.

Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• Strong background in elementary curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Demonstrated experience coaching and supporting faculty.
• Knowledge of best instructional practices and data informed decision making.
• Experience leading curriculum development and alignment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.
• Ability to manage complex academic systems while maintaining supportive relationships.
• Commitment to inclusive, student-centered teaching and learning.
• Master’s degree in education curriculum and instruction, or related field preferred.
• Prior elementary leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Responsive Classroom training preferred.

It is critical that candidates demonstrate a commitment to the School’s Core Values and Mission 

HONOR

Personal integrity and devotion to the truth, which make one trustworthy, forthright, responsible and fair.

LOVE OF LEARNING

A creative spirit that promotes intellectual and personal growth through exploration, inquiry and openness to change.

EXCELLENCE

A sustained commitment to meeting high standards of character, achievement and personal accountability.

RESPECT

Fundamental regard for the dignity and worth of each individual.

COMMUNITY

A commitment to responsive and compassionate citizenship and service on campus, in the local community and in the broader world.  

Required Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate the School’s shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments.
• Proven cross cultural competency skills demonstrating self awareness, awareness of others and the ability to adopt inclusive perspectives, attitudes and behaviors to drive inclusion and belonging in the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to a servant leadership model focusing on the growth and development of the team to successfully fulfill shared goals.
• Understands the big picture and handles areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the School’s mission and values.  Offers assistance within the office especially during busy times.
• Relates to the Collegiate community including faculty, staff, students, parents and applicants in a cooperative manner.
• Meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time and handles multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Understands the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback.
• Maintains confidentiality at all times.

About Collegiate School

Collegiate School is an independent, JK-12 college preparatory, coeducational school with over 1,600 students in Richmond, VA. We seek professionals to uphold and advance our mission to create a diverse and inclusive community of learners committed to a challenging and supportive educational experience that will foster the intellectual, moral, emotional and physical development of each student. With our core values of honor, love of learning, excellence, respect and community, we develop minds that seek and hearts that serve. Our exceptional faculty and staff not only deliver preeminent programs but prepare the next generation of inquisitive thinkers, responsible citizens and compassionate leaders. The School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions at the School are based on merit, qualifications and skills.

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