The Potomac School
Head of Upper School
Start Date: July 1, 2025
Co-ed, K-12, Day School, 1,070 Students
1301 Potomac School Road, McLean, VA 22101
Head of Upper School Search for Potomac School
Educators Collaborative is pleased to support the Head of Upper School search for Potomac School. This retained search seeks an experienced administrator to begin July 1, 2025.
About the School
Founded in 1904 in Dupont Circle as a progressive elementary school for 48 children ages 4 to 12, Potomac has grown and evolved into today’s K-12 co-ed day school of 1,070 students on a more than 90-acre campus in McLean, Virginia. With four divisions, a K-3 Lower School, a 4-6 Middle School, a 7-8 Intermediate School, and a 9-12 Upper School, Potomac is uniquely structured to meet the developmental and intellectual needs of children at all ages. Potomac enjoys an extraordinary reputation as one of the top independent K-12 day schools in the nation. The school’s educational philosophy has defined the learning process as an exploratory endeavor driven by students’ natural curiosity and interests. From kindergarten through 12th grade, Potomac faculty seek to develop engaged learners who possess both the intellectual abilities and the character traits needed to thrive in a rapidly changing and demanding society.
About the Upper School
The Potomac School’s Upper School is a vibrant and spirited section of the campus. It’s filled with the buzz of 9-12 graders who genuinely enjoy learning and being with one another. On any given day you will find diverse friend groups, engaged study groups, and casual conversations between adults and students occurring throughout the classrooms and common spaces. These interactions, along with routine practicing of the school’s core values, evidence a school that is equally devoted to community and character development as it is to teaching and learning.
The Upper School is the largest of the divisions (475 students) and enjoys an experienced faculty and staff who have a genuine passion for inspiring students to discover their potential. Through exploration of their interests—academic, athletic, artistic, personal—students find their voices and develop as leaders in a supportive and generous environment that rejects the notion of one defined version of success.
Mission Statement
At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary and equally essential educational goals. With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
About the Position
Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a member of Potomac’s senior leadership team, the Head of Upper School will work closely with the Head of School as well as with the Associate Head of School and Assistant Head of School for Academics in order to continually ensure smooth operations and delivery of instruction and to further perpetuate the ethos that makes Potomac uniquely welcoming and dynamic. The Head of Upper School oversees a talented team of administrators, and will be expected to cultivate the leadership and effectiveness of their direct reports, and to set a tone and foster a culture where balance, gratitude and “what’s best for the learner” are central. Additionally, the next Head of Upper School will work closely with the Assistant Head of School for Academics to ensure K-12 alignment and strength of pedagogy in the Upper School.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be a systems thinker
- Be an effective delegator
- Support a culture of accountability
- Be an excellent listener and a confident leader
- Communicate clearly and proactively
- Remember, relate to, understand, and appreciate adolescence and adolescents
- Be a skilled classroom teacher, with an excellent understanding of effective instructional practice
- Be an optimistic, steady and active partner with parents
- Have a sense of humor
The ideal candidate will have as part of their professional portfolio:
- An advanced degree
- 3-5 years of direct experience with 9-12 classroom instruction
- 3-5 years of senior administrative experience
- Proven track record in professional development and continuous learning
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following materials in a single merged document, in the following order:
- Letter of interest addressed to the Search Committee
- Current resume
- Statement of educational leadership philosophy
- A list of five or more professional references, with contact information including phone, email, and relationship to candidate
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact the consultants below for this document)
Nat Conard, Partner, Educators Collaborative
André Withers, Educators Collaborative
Listing Date: September 27, 2024
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