Active Search – Sophia Academy - Head of School

Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2023
All Girls Day School
Grades 5-8 with 61 students
Providence, RI

Deirdre Ling

About the School

Since its founding in 2001, Sophia Academy has helped transform the lives of nearly 300 young women through holistic, social-justice driven education. As the only tuition-free, nonsectarian independent middle school in Rhode Island serving girls from low-income families, Sophia Academy places students at the center, creating an affirming community that challenges and nurtures each student to define and follow her dreams. Graduates regard their years at Sophia Academy as their most positive, transformative educational experience.

The school’s mission is to “engage girls on a joyful quest for self‐discovery and opportunity through a middle school education grounded in social justice,” guided by its core values of courage, respect, responsibility, and peace.

100% of graduates earn a high school diploma; most matriculate to higher education as first-generation college students; 65% are pursuing or planning to pursue graduate studies.

Enrollment is 60-65 students in grades 5-8, with an average student to teacher ratio of 15:1. 92% of students and 50% of faculty and staff identify as BIPOC.

More than 80% of the school’s $1.6 million operating budget is raised annually from foundations, corporations, and individual donors. The school recently completed a $4.5 million capital campaign for endowment and strategic programs.

Sophia is governed by a 26-member Board of Trustees and is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE). Sophia is a member of the International Coalition of Girls Schools (ICGS) and National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

How To Apply

Candidates interested in the position should submit the following materials as soon as possible.

EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Deirdre Ling for this document)
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee
Resume
Statement of educational leadership philosophy
A list of five or more references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
Up to three letters of reference (optional)

Please address any inquiries or expressions of interest to: Deirdre Ling, Partner, Educators Collaborative, LLC, daling@comcast.net

Listing Date: July 28, 2022

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