Career Center

The Head of Upper School reports to the Head of School and is responsible for carrying out the school’s mission, vision and academic programs. The Head of Upper School understands and responds to the opportunities and challenges of a diverse (38%) student population. The Head of Upper School provides proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders and works cooperatively with the faculty, counselors, Director of Student Life, staff, students, and parents to support a positive school climate.

The ideal candidate will display a willingness to promote the school’s core values and will have experiences within an independent school setting. They will demonstrate experience and expertise with faculty leadership, student guidance and supervision, program management, and parent relationships. The ideal candidate will have teaching experience and independent school administrative experience.

Responsibilities:

1. Make mission-driven decisions to enhance the Upper School.
2. Recruit, hire, and retain a highly qualified faculty.
3. Guide the academic program of the Upper School.
4. Partner with the Director of Student Life, counselors, and the teaching faculty to support students in feeling safe and valued within the school culture.
5. Support day-to-day academics through monitoring instruction, good communication, personal availability, and classroom management guidance.
6. Maintain the daily good order and day-to-day management of the students, in partnership with the Upper School faculty leadership.
7. Identify professional development needs and growth opportunities.
8. Review and uphold all student policies.
9. Meet regularly with the Counseling Department to strategize about students as related to behavioral/academic difficulties and assist in developing programs to promote positive outcomes.
10. Prioritize campus safety.
11. Work collaboratively with academic leadership at PA to provide smooth transitions from divison to division.
12. Serves as a member of the Administrative Leadership Team.
13. Actively engages in the Pulaski Academy community, supporting students in academic, athletic, and fine arts pursuits.
14. Researches and partners with other independent schools to share and implement best practices for teaching and learning.

1. Masters Degree in education, administration, or related field preferred
2. Three or more years in school administrative experience, preferably gained within an independent school setting.
3. Philosophical commitment to educational excellence and creative problem-solving.
4. High level of interpersonal skills and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations. The position requires demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy with the ability to develop relationships that reflect the hallmarks of a supportive school community.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Experience/skill working in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. Must be able to discern among competing priorities with a positive, creative, solution-oriented temperament.
7. Working knowledge of educational software and excellent academic technology expertise.
8. Availability to work after school hours, special events, and travel as needed.

About Pulaski Academy

Since 1971, Pulaski Academy has served as an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory learning community that prepares students academically, socially, ethically, artistically, and physically for the world that lies before them. Our mission is to inspire students to explore, create, contribute, and achieve. Located in the Pleasant Valley area of suburban west Little Rock, PA currently enrolls approximately 1232 2.5 year old through twelfth grade students. The institution is composed of four divisions or schools: Early Childhood School, Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. PA’s Upper School enrolls approximately 415 students in grades 9-12. Pulaski Academy has consistently led the way and set the standard for academic excellence in the state. A strong curriculum, valued traditions, nurturing faculty, and a diverse extracurricular program enhance the educational experience for students. Graduates go on to attend some of the most competitive and highly regarded colleges across the nation. In the last five years 35 PA students have been selected as National Merit Finalists. In addition the Class of 2009 boasted a composite score of 27 on the ACT and an aver...age of 606 on the reading, 634 on the math, and 608 on the written portions of the SAT. Members of the Class of 2009 were accepted to 116 colleges and universities in twenty-nine different states. Every 2009 graduate will attend college. Twenty Advanced Placement and twelve honors courses are available to our Upper School students. In the three academic years prior to 2008-2009 PA had three National AP Scholars, 30 AP Scholars with Distinction, 14 AP Scholars with Honor, and 44 AP Scholars. At the heart of Pulaski Academy is the relationship that teachers and students share. With 120 faculty members (Pre-K through 12), PA offers an impressive student faculty ratio of 11:1, providing for individual attention and a wide selection of course offerings. More than half of PA faculty members hold advanced degrees. Average faculty teaching experience is twenty years, ten of which are at PA Core values, travel learning opportunities, and service learning projects are integral components of the dynamic curriculum. Award winning artists, musicians, and journalists receive a strong foundation within PA’s classrooms. Athletic teams contend annually for district, regional, and state championships (PA was the state champion in football in 2008-2009). And annual state and national winners in such competitions as National History Day, Model UN, and the National Peace Essay contest are a testament to the school’s talented students and dedicated faculty members. In fall, 2008, Pulaski Academy opened the doors to an exciting, more spacious education world for its students. The school expanded its campus from fifteen to thirty-two acres and added over 180,000 square feet of facilities. Opportunities for PA students have never been greater. A larger campus translates into enhanced academic and enrichment programs, an expanded LS library, a state-of-the-art gym, extensive technology opportunities, a sizable book and spirit store, and multiple venues for the performing arts. Many of the facilities may be viewed on our website at www.pulaskiacademy.org.

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Connections working at Pulaski Academy