STATE COLLEGE FRIENDS SCHOOL: HEAD OF SCHOOL POSITION

State College Friends School (SCFS) is seeking a collaborative and responsive leader to serve as Head of School beginning no later than July 1, 2025. Located in scenic Centre County Pennsylvania, just minutes away from Penn State University, SCFS is an independent Pre-K through 8th grade school that serves students from several surrounding counties. For the past 44 years, State College Friends School has offered a vigorous educational program grounded in the Quaker testimonies (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship). These values shape an academically stimulating and inclusive school community in which our students can develop a sense of confidence and agency in their world.

We invite potential candidates to view the Head of School position statement for SCFS by clicking here.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit materials as a single PDF file to search@scfriends.org. The deadline for submitting applications has been extended to September 1, 2024. All complete applications received on or prior to this date will receive full consideration. Incomplete applications, or applications submitted after September 1, 2024, may not receive full consideration. A complete application will include all of the following:

- Cover letter
- Resume (CV)
- A statement of educational philosophy which speaks specifically to the candidate’s vision for and interest in Quaker education
- A list of three to five references, with contact information (references will not be contacted without the permission of the candidate)

Questions about the search process should be directed via email to Clara Drummond and Margy Frysinger, Co-Clerks of the Search Committee, at search@scfriends.org.

State College Friends School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We invite you to learn more about our community at www.scfriends.org.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Head of School will oversee school operations for approximately 110 students in 9 multi-grade classrooms guided by 9 lead teachers, 5 assistant teachers, 4 part-time specialist teachers, 4 administrative staff, and 3 part-time staff. They will be responsible for guiding the work of faculty and staff, advancement of the school through enrollment and development efforts, ensuring the upkeep of the school building and grounds, and strengthening the school’s relationships with members of the wider State College community. The Head of School, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, also ensures that decisions at the School are made in a financially sound manner. SCFS will undertake a comprehensive strategic planning process, and the Head of School will play a pivotal leadership role in that process and in implementing initiatives that will maintain the School’s long-term vitality.

A successful candidate will bring experience in progressive education at the primary and intermediate levels, proven administrative and communication skills, and past success in developing and implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice initiatives. The ability to work with faculty and staff collaboratively and build mutual trust and respect with the entire school community will be crucial to the Head of School’s work. Experience in an independent school setting is desirable. While familiarity with Quakerism is preferred, all applicants should be willing to embrace and clearly communicate the Quaker testimonies as the core values that guide the school.

About State College Friends School

State College Friends School is an independent Quaker school serving approximately 120 students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Since 1980, SCFS has offered a vigorous educational program grounded in the Quaker testimonies of equity, integrity, and stewardship. Our community includes families in the State College, Bellefonte, Bald Eagle, Penns Valley, Tyrone, and parts of Huntingdon area school districts. At SCFS, academic success is supported by small class sizes and individualized teacher attention for each child’s strengths and growing edges. In addition to developing skills in investigation, analysis, and quantitative reasoning, our social-emotional curriculum invites each student to practice conflict resolution, creative problem solving, collaboration, and empathy. Our building was designed for students to feel at home while at school, offering plenty of space for interactive, hands-on learning and a comfortable environment in which to learn and grow. SCFS has grouped children in intentional, multi-age classrooms since its founding. While grade level designation is used, the organization of children into classroom groupings is intentionally driven by academic, social, emot...ional, and developmental indicators. This practice is rooted in the belief that children are individuals and progress through the stages of development at their own pace. SCFS has found that multi-age grouping encourages children of many ages to teach and learn from one another and enables teachers to strengthen relationships with the students with whom they work for multiple years.

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Connections working at State College Friends School