The International School of San Francisco
Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2026
Co-ed, Independent Day School
IB, AP, and French Baccalaureate
PS (age 2) – Grade 12, c. 1,100 Students
150 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Educators Collaborative is pleased to assist The International School of San Francisco in its search for its next Head of School to begin July 1, 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for a leader who finds purpose in PS -12 education at a well established, highly regarded, and high achieving International school in one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
The School
Since its founding in 1962, The International School of San Francisco has been known as a leader and innovator in international education. It is San Francisco’s oldest and largest bilingual school and the school prepares students to navigate the world with confidence and command, empathy and joy. They achieve this through rigorous bilingual, French, and International Baccalaureate education programs, and a vibrant school culture strengthened by multilingual, multinational educators and families.
Mission and Values
Mission: Guided by the principles of academic rigor and diversity, The International School of San Francisco offers programs of study in French and English to prepare its graduates for a world in which the ability to think critically and to communicate across cultures is of paramount importance.
Values: Our international community brings together people from many backgrounds. Together we strive to create a shared culture that develops compassionate, confident, and principled people who will make the world better. We base our community on these values:
The Program
In France, early learning centers are referred to as “Maternelle.” The International School of San Francisco’s Maternelle is a unique bilingual immersion environment beginning at age 2 for PK2, PK3, and PK4 students. Initially, students benefit from classes that are conducted in French 80%-90% of the time. As younger children have a distinct capacity to learn another language, we watch our students go from zero French to age-appropriate ability by the end of PK4. Upon entering the Lower School, our students are communicating, understanding, and responding in French. The benefits of this linguistic acquisition last a lifetime. Research has shown that bilinguals are better at problem solving, creative thinking, connecting with other cultures, and are more prepared for the workforce of the future.
In the Maternelle, children transition from the security of home and begin a journey towards independence in a loving and nurturing environment. The program is differentiated, hands-on, and child-centered, and teaches children to work together while developing their own personalities. Classrooms are bright and colorful, opening into expansive, shared spaces which blur the lines between work and play. Teachers pay close attention to the linguistic and social-emotional development of each student, warmly encouraging critical thinking, active exchange, and cooperation.
The well-planned pedagogical approach in the Maternelle is maintained and reinforced each year at The International School of San Francisco, and continues into Lower School. The curriculum continues in both English and French in a way that makes learning exciting and challenging, while meeting the high standards of the U.S. and French educational systems. Students begin Kindergarten with a great sense of resourcefulness and independence, thanks to their blossoming bilingualism and their increased confidence and self-esteem.
As children progress through Lower School, they learn self-sufficiency as well as collaboration. They are encouraged to speak for themselves and express their own thoughts and questions logically, as well as actively listen to their classmates and teachers.
By the time students complete Grade 5, they have put their bilingual skills into action by staying with a host family in France for two weeks, and are inquisitive thinkers and risk-taking learners. Students enter Middle School with confidence, curiosity, and autonomy.
As students progress through the school, they learn to communicate in at least three languages, study mathematics in two languages, participate in a rich array of arts, athletics, and travel programs, engage in local and global service learning projects, and further develop strong critical thinking skills within a challenging, engaging curriculum. In the Middle School, 60% of instruction takes place in French, 30% is in English, and 10% is in the student’s chosen third language.
Students take advantage of the many opportunities for leadership, engage in service-learning projects in their local and global communities, and continue to develop strong critical thinking skills within a rigorous program across the disciplines. Students are encouraged to explore new interests and passions, develop their global citizenship, and become more independent.
When students pursue the well-rounded and rigorous International Baccalaureate or French Baccalaureate diploma, they push their personal boundaries, excel in collaboration, and develop real confidence. The IB and French Bac curriculum gives students the experience and mobility to learn and thrive anywhere in the world. Please visit the school website for a full description of each of these programs.
Being a student at The International School of San Francisco is about so much more than sitting in a classroom. An education at The International School of San Francisco involves extra-curricular activities that are both organized and self-directed. From world travel to sports to theater to volunteering to being a part of Student Government and beyond, opportunities to join a club, team, or leadership group are widely available and open to all students. And, they make sure there are plenty of opportunities for parents to get involved and get to know each other too.
The Campus
The International School of San Francisco’s main campus is located in Hayes Valley, one of San Francisco’s fastest-growing and most dynamic neighborhoods. Located blocks from City Hall, the War Memorial Opera Building, SFJAZZ, and Muni and BART stations, the main campus is a modern, six-story building offering bright classrooms with dynamic city views. The roof is topped with 630 solar modules, producing more than one billion watt-hours of power to date. Across the street from the main campus are the school’s athletic facilities, which include indoor and outdoor basketball courts. The Dennis Gallagher Arts Pavilion, a three-story building just a block from the main campus, houses the visual and performing arts center.
The school’s early learning Maternelle/Preschool section is on a separate campus at 1155 Page Street, just below Buena Vista Park. The Maternelle/Preschool is a dedicated early childhood campus providing a warm, nurturing welcome for students and families. It offers light-filled classrooms, two age-specific playgrounds, and a gorgeous indoor movement studio. Each classroom and the large multipurpose room have direct access to the outdoors.
The school has recently launched its Campaign for a Bold Future, which will transform the Oak Street campus, ensuring the facilities match the excellence of our academic programs and improving the experience of every student in our school. This exciting refurbishment plan provides an entirely re-envisioned High School, along with redesigned spaces for the Middle and Lower Schools and renovations to the entire 150 Oak campus. The project will break ground in Summer 2025.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The International School of San Francisco admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
A comprehensive Opportunity and Position Statement will be available in late February. Applications are due by April 5, 2025.
How to Apply
We encourage a preliminary conversation with Mary Seppala and/or Eric Temple (see below) to learn more about this exceptional opportunity. Those interested are asked to submit these materials, in the order listed, in a Single Merged Document:
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact consultants, Mary 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 professional references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses). Please include their job title and your work relationship.
- EC Disclosure Form (contact consultants below for this document)
If interested, please contact:
Mary Seppala, Partner, Educators Collaborative
Eric Temple, Partner, Educators Collaborative
Listing Date: February 8, 2025
Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated salary range of $450K – $580K.
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