Interim Head of School
No longer accepting applications
Start Date: September 1, 2024
All Gender, Middle School and High School
Grades 6 – 12
Independent Day School, 240 Students
1130 SW Main Street, Portland, OR
Interim Head of School Search for Northwest Academy
Educators Collaborative is pleased to assist Northwest Academy in its search for an Interim Head of School to begin ideally September 1, 2024. Northwest Academy is a progressive independent day middle and high school college preparatory program that inspires students to learn and achieve through its unique academic and arts partnerships.
The School
The Northwest Academy was founded in 1993 by Mary Vinton Folberg, a teacher, choreographer, and founder of the Jefferson Dancers, the performing leg of the Jefferson High School dance department. Mary was already a Portland legend, winner of the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award and a three-time recipient of the Kennedy Center Award for Excellence in Arts Education – the school continues to weave the arts into the academic program. Serving 240 students of all genders, the school is proud of the diversity of its students, faculty and families as a core element to providing an exemplary education. Situated in downtown, the City of Portland is not merely home to this amazing school; it is an honorary member of the faculty. When students develop a feeling of having mastered the city and its cultural resources, they develop the confidence to engage with the big, wide world.
Distinguishing characteristics that drive the educational program at Northwest Academy include:
- Challenging Academics & Intellectual Curiosity,
- Downtown Portland Campus,
- Strong Academic and Arts Partnership,
- Small Class sizes and Passionate Faculty,
- Proficiency-Based learning.
The school is fully accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, and is a member of the Global Online Academy, a consortium of schools across the globe offering online courses to students. For more information about the academic and arts programs please visit the school’s website.
The Program
Middle School Philosophy
Personal support, academic rigor, and artistic adventure inspire students to be intellectually curious and intrinsically motivated. Awareness of the particular social and academic needs of this age group is of the utmost priority. Accordingly, students are provided assistance and encouragement as they develop personal awareness and social responsibility crucial to the maturing middle school student. Students learn critical academic and life skills that allow them to excel in their learning and in their contributions to the community.
High School Philosophy
Northwest Academy’s High School is dedicated to providing a challenging and supportive environment in which students grow as artists, academics, and people. As students engage in meaningful arts and academic experiences, they develop empathy, citizenship, and personal responsibility. Student differences and individuality are celebrated as a source of vibrancy and diverse perspectives in the community. Attention
to emotional well-being and positive interpersonal relationships in and outside of the classroom creates an environment in which students can excel through academic and artistic risk taking. The students who graduate from the program are prepared to be successful in their pursuits, innovative in academia and the arts, and poised for continued growth and happiness.
Mission, Vision and Values of the Northwest Academy:
Mission: To inspire students to cultivate their own intellectual and artistic voices in a supportive community grounded in knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking.
Vision: We envision Northwest Academy as a hub of educational and community activity in downtown Portland, celebrated for blending academic challenge, artistic expression, and civic experience for each and every student.
Core Values: Northwest Academy’s core values guide the Board, administration, faculty, and staff in their efforts to provide students with a challenging and unique education. It is the school’s understanding that a student culture with these important values must be strategically developed and upheld.
Academic & Arts
Talented Faculty
Student Engagement
Thriving Environment for Students
Proficiency-based Placement
Creativity
Diversity & Perspective
Motivation & Advocation
Nurturing & Supportive Environment
Psychologically Safe Environment
Diversity Statement
A commitment to equity and inclusion lies at the heart of Northwest Academy’s culture, and everyone connected with the school strives to carry it out through the arts and academic partnerships. Northwest Academy values the uniqueness of each student, family member, teacher, and staff member; their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives create a culture rich with mutual respect and authenticity. The Northwest Academy community values all ethnicities, races, cultures, religions, economic backgrounds, family structures, sexual and gender identities, and abilities. Ongoing efforts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the staff and to the students’ abilities to develop into thoughtful and creative global citizens.
Role Responsibilities
Executive leadership for the administrative staff and education faculty including all matters regarding employment, retention and dismissal of personnel; grievance process; salaries and contracts; job assignments and staff/faculty performance evaluation; and orientation and training. To maintain appropriate personnel records and implement updated human resources policies and procedures.
- Maintain curriculum excellence and support professional development requirements of the school staff
- Be visible and present in the day-to-day life of the school for students, faculty and parents
- Monitor and address all matters of school climate, culture and morale
- Oversee ongoing business operations, including management of properties modernization and ensuring compliance with appropriate laws and regulations
- Manage the 2024-2025 school budget and partner with the Board of Trustees on the creation of the 2025-2026 budget
- Supervise the Development team to cultivate and effect generous support of the school
- Oversee the successful completion of the NWAIS reaccreditation process
- Work with the faculty council
- Maintain a constructive and effective relationship with the Board of Trustees
- Support the Board as they engage in a Head of School search, as appropriate
Desired Experience and Desired Qualifications
Previous experience as a Head of School preferred
10+ years of education administration
An advanced degree in a field related to education or arts
Strong communication skills both spoken and written and a demonstrated ability to use communication technologies to support dynamic parent, staff and broader community engagement
Collaborative and consensus building leadership style
Business acumen related to school financial operations, budgeting, and fundraising
A demonstrated commitment to multiculturalism and diversity
Application Materials Requested
We encourage a preliminary conversation with Joan Beauregard and/or Eric Temple (see below) to learn more about this exceptional opportunity. Those interested asked to submit these materials, in the order listed, in a Single Merged Document:
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact consultants, Joan and Eric, for this document)
- Letter of Interest addressed to the Search Committee
- Current résumé
- Statement of Educational Leadership
- A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
- EC Disclosure Form (contact consultants below for this document)
If interested please contact:
EXPERTS IN SEARCH, TRANSITION & STRATEGY
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