Cambridge, Massachusetts
Posted: 13-Feb-25
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Type: Full Time
Salary: $530K to $650K
Categories:
The Blake School, an academically rigorous PK-12 independent school serving just over 1,300 students on two campuses in greater Minneapolis, seeks an exceptional Head of School to begin July 2026. Even the most casual observer of Blake’s teaching and learning spaces, hallways, and co-curricular programs will come away impressed by the school’s intellectually curious and engaged students, who are guided and inspired by expert, deeply caring teachers in small class sizes. Indeed, academic excellence and a longstanding commitment to pluralism unite intellectual growth and care for others throughout the Blake experience. As Blake teachers inspire, challenge, and empower students, students discover a sense of purpose and an awareness of the innate value of learning. The student experience is grounded in Blake’s values: curiosity, kindness, inclusivity, and resilience, and the exceptional academic program is augmented by robust and highly successful arts, athletics, and global programs. A spirit of continuous growth and improvement has animated Blake since its founding in 1900, revealed most recently in the unification of two Lower School campuses and the creation of the innovative Early Learning Center (PK-1) on the Hopkins campus, which also serves as home to the Middle School. The ELC, completed in 2023, is purpose-built for Blake’s youngest learners as a green facility that connects the indoors and outdoors and supports the school’s Reggio-inspired early childhood program.
The Blake School seeks in its next Head of School an inspiring educational leader who embraces the school’s mission, vision, and culture and who will engage fully in the daily life of Blake’s dynamic community. The most compelling candidates will offer the following qualifications and qualities:
Professional Qualifications • A deep understanding of and appreciation for the joys and compelling qualities of a multidivisional school and experience leading in a large and complex educational organization; • Personal and professional alignment with the school’s mission and its commitment to nurturing an inclusive and equitable community; • Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, and retaining talented, broadly diverse, and missionaligned faculty; • Depth of experience in curriculum and instruction, school operations, and board relations; • The ability to articulate vision and strategy and the tactical skills necessary to manage the systems and processes necessary to implement strategy; • Experience working in partnership with a highly engaged and diverse parent community.
Leadership Style • A community-builder whose style is collaborative when possible and decisive when necessary, demonstrating approachability, trustworthiness, and transparency as well as a commitment to honoring multiple perspectives; • A history of thoughtful innovation and a sensitive approach to change; • An orientation of skilled servant leadership; • The confidence and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite alternative perspectives, welcome feedback, and engage in challenging conversations with grace; • Capacity to keep pace with a highly intellectual and high achieving community and the EQ to modulate the pace so that the imperative to support and care for the community is never compromised; and • The ability to communicate with inspiration and clarity across a wide range of audiences.
Personal Qualities • The courage to make difficult choices, upholding the highest standards of integrity; and • Eagerness to engage actively and joyfully with students, parents, and faculty and willingness to prioritize visibility amidst the demands of a busy professional schedule.