Director of Middle School

WHO WE ARE

At Forest Ridge, our intentional approach to excellence in education inspires students to explore intellectually, spiritually and personally as they embrace challenge, feed their curiosity, build their confidence and prepare for a lifelong pursuit of much more than just success, but success with true meaning – throughout their education, career and lifetime.

Our dynamic and challenging academic environment is filled with immersive, experiential learning opportunities, designed to help students discover their own sense of purpose. Our students learn to regard the world both intellectually and spiritually, blending faith with logic, combining thoughtful reflection with energetic debate, and focusing on both individual wellbeing and the good of the global community.

Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, an independent school for girls in grades 5-12, welcomes students, adults and families into an inclusive global learning environment which respects and strives for diversity, openness, understanding and acceptance of all human beings.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the Assistant Head for Academics, the Director of Middle School is responsible for all aspects of the middle school program, supporting the vision, direction, supervision, and general day-to-day operations of the middle school. The Director of Middle School is responsible for the implementation and oversight of all middle school programs, including academic courses, the advisory program, the service-learning program, middle school camps, and other experiential learning programs. S/he leads major division-wide initiatives and works with and assists middle school faculty in the development of learning outcomes, curriculum mapping, assessment processes and instructional practices. Further, the Director of Middle School works in collaboration with the Assistant Head for Academics and other senior leaders in evaluating the Middle School’s programming and progress to identify and implement key priorities for continuous improvement. This position, which entails the leadership, planning, and guidance of the Middle School program, is considered a year-round, 12 month per year position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures consistent integration of the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education within the life of the school community.
• Works in collaboration with the leadership team to advance the School’s strategic framework, implementing initiatives that will ensure Forest Ridge students grow into competent, confident and courageous women.
• Serves as the educational leader for the Middle School, responsible for its day-to-day operations through creating a vision for effective teaching and learning, the development and articulation of divisional goals, and the establishment of an aligned and cohesive curriculum.
• Works in collaboration with the Assistant Head for Academics, the Director of Upper School and other school leaders to ensure continuity between the Middle and Upper School divisions.
• Provides direct oversight of the Middle School faculty and support staff, providing mentorship and coaching, while also clearly articulating expectations and holding them accountable.
• Serves as the chief articulator of the division’s programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines and other information necessary to ensure that all constituencies are fully informed.
• Works in collaboration with the Assistant Head for Academics, the Director of Upper School, the Middle School Academic Dean, and the registrar to prepare a master middle school schedule and assign teachers and students to classes and other obligations.
• Makes recommendations to the Assistant Head for Academics and the Head of School about the retention of faculty.
• Articulates and supports the use of best practices in instruction, assessment and reporting of student feedback and progress in the Middle School.
• Collaborates with the Technology department and middle school faculty to identify and support opportunities for technology integration in the Middle School curriculum.
• Fosters a culture of partnership between the School and families, serving as a support liaison between the two.
• Collaborates and communicates with the Student Support Team and families to develop individualized support plans in the rare instances when this level of support is necessary.
• Oversees the Middle School Advisory curriculum that supports the academic, leadership, and social and emotional development of students. Includes on-going assessment of program effectiveness, ensuring a clear scope and sequence of 5-8 programs, and adaptation of program as necessary.
• Actively promotes the retention of Forest Ridge students into the Upper School division.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Head for Academics and the Director of Upper School to lead professional learning opportunities, develop professional learning resources and keep faculty informed of relevant opportunities to ensure Forest Ridge remains a community of professional growth.
• Works with the Dean of Students, the Director of Upper School and other relevant administrators to oversee the coordination of the Middle School student life programming, assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs and assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events.
• Supports the admission and re-enrollment activities for the Middle and Upper Schools and collaborates with the Enrollment Management Team to coordinate activities that introduce new students and families to the Middle School.
• Attends middle school athletic and extracurricular events.