New York, New York
New York, New York
New York, New York
Concord, Massachusetts
Avon, Connecticut
Posted: 06-Oct-25
Location: Valley Glen, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $110,000 - $150,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Laurence School is a dynamic and cutting-edge independent elementary school located near Sherman Oaks, California. Founded in 1953 and grounded in its “Total Child” philosophy, Laurence provides Kindergarten through 6th Grade students with a personalized, well-rounded education to students, ensuring their academic, social, emotional, and physical growth and development. With an enrollment of 375 students and a dedicated team of faculty and staff that is more than eighty members strong, Laurence is an excellent place to work. At Laurence, employees have the opportunity to thrive in a stimulating and diverse environment, where new ideas, opportunities, skills, and experiences are constantly being exchanged and shared. Laurence School is hiring for a Lower School Director for the 2026 - 2027 academic year.
The Director of Lower School (LD) oversees the daily operations of the Lower School, as well as K-6 program in collaboration with the Upper School Director and the DEI/Curriculum Director. This role provides leadership that inspires excellence in teaching and supports staff in achieving high standards of academic, character, and social-emotional growth for all students. The Lower School Director works closely with students and families to ensure each child reaches their full potential and support new families transitioning into the community. This position also assists with admissions, including weekend evaluations and assessments.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Lower Division that aligns with the School’s philosophy, mission, values, and goals. This includes the instructional, character, social-emotional, and non-cognitive programs; student discipline; and the evaluation of direct reports.
- Provide leadership in the hiring process for all direct-reports and all student-centered staff positions with senior leadership.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum, and Head of School, provide leadership in supporting professional growth of all direct reports and plan professional development opportunities and workshop days for faculty and staff.
- Provide proactive support and guidance to parents, fostering strong partnerships that ensure each student’s academic, social, and emotional success.
- Provide leadership and administration for the curriculum and instructional program. Provide coaching and support for the Lower Division faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy. Maintain current knowledge regarding resources, research, and best practices in curriculum and instruction. Coordinate with the Upper School Director, Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop an articulated K-6th grade curriculum and instruction scope and sequence.
- Provide leadership in the work and dialogue around diversity and inclusivity.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and the Director of DEI/Curriculum, coordinate and administer the School’s co-curricular programs.
- Coordinate with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop a schedule to balance the developmental needs of students with teacher planning time.
- Establish and promote high academic standards and expectations for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Facilitate the organization of effective classroom environments that reflect the school’s educational philosophy.
- Serve as a member of the Administrative Senior Leadership Team.
- Serve on and/or chair committees as needed.
- Assist admissions with prospective family events, interviews, and evaluations.
- Help oversee the daily operation of the campus, including supervision duties (carpool, recess, lunch), scheduling, parking, lunch, facilities, etc.
- Along with the Director of Summer Camp and Director of DEI/Curriculum, oversee and staff the academic morning program for Laurence’s June/July Summer Camp.
- Perform other duties and oversee special assignments as necessary or as assigned by the Head of School.
- Lead Lower Division Class Placement annually each summer.
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Lower Division that aligns with the School’s philosophy, mission, values, and goals. This includes the instructional, character, social-emotional, and non-cognitive programs; student discipline; and the evaluation of direct reports.
- Provide leadership in the hiring process for all direct-reports and all student-centered staff positions with senior leadership.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum, and Head of School, provide leadership in supporting professional growth of all direct reports and plan professional development opportunities and workshop days for faculty and staff.
- Provide proactive support and guidance to parents, fostering strong partnerships that ensure each student’s academic, social, and emotional success.
- Provide leadership and administration for the curriculum and instructional program. Provide coaching and support for the Lower Division faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy. Maintain current knowledge regarding resources, research, and best practices in curriculum and instruction. Coordinate with the Upper School Director, Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop an articulated K-6th grade curriculum and instruction scope and sequence.
- Provide leadership in the work and dialogue around diversity and inclusivity.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and the Director of DEI/Curriculum, coordinate and administer the School’s co-curricular programs.
- Coordinate with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop a schedule to balance the developmental needs of students with teacher planning time.
- Establish and promote high academic standards and expectations for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Facilitate the organization of effective classroom environments that reflect the school’s educational philosophy.
- Serve as a member of the Administrative Senior Leadership Team.
- Serve on and/or chair committees as needed.
- Assist admissions with prospective family events, interviews, and evaluations.
- Help oversee the daily operation of the campus, including supervision duties (carpool, recess, lunch), scheduling, parking, lunch, facilities, etc.
- Along with the Director of Summer Camp and Director of DEI/Curriculum, oversee and staff the academic morning program for Laurence’s June/July Summer Camp.
- Perform other duties and oversee special assignments as necessary or as assigned by the Head of School.
- Lead Lower Division Class Placement annually each summer.
- Provide leadership and oversight for the Lower Division that aligns with the School’s philosophy, mission, values, and goals. This includes the instructional, character, social-emotional, and non-cognitive programs; student discipline; and the evaluation of direct reports.
- Provide leadership in the hiring process for all direct-reports and all student-centered staff positions with senior leadership.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum, and Head of School, provide leadership in supporting professional growth of all direct reports and plan professional development opportunities and workshop days for faculty and staff.
- Provide proactive support and guidance to parents, fostering strong partnerships that ensure each student’s academic, social, and emotional success.
- Provide leadership and administration for the curriculum and instructional program. Provide coaching and support for the Lower Division faculty and staff in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy. Maintain current knowledge regarding resources, research, and best practices in curriculum and instruction. Coordinate with the Upper School Director, Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop an articulated K-6th grade curriculum and instruction scope and sequence.
- Provide leadership in the work and dialogue around diversity and inclusivity.
- In collaboration with the Upper School Director and the Director of DEI/Curriculum, coordinate and administer the School’s co-curricular programs.
- Coordinate with the Upper School Director and Director of DEI/Curriculum to develop a schedule to balance the developmental needs of students with teacher planning time.
- Establish and promote high academic standards and expectations for all students, faculty, and staff.
- Facilitate the organization of effective classroom environments that reflect the school’s educational philosophy.
- Serve as a member of the Administrative Senior Leadership Team.
- Serve on and/or chair committees as needed.
- Assist admissions with prospective family events, interviews, and evaluations.
- Help oversee the daily operation of the campus, including supervision duties (carpool, recess, lunch), scheduling, parking, lunch, facilities, etc.
- Along with the Director of Summer Camp and Director of DEI/Curriculum, oversee and staff the academic morning program for Laurence’s June/July Summer Camp.
- Perform other duties and oversee special assignments as necessary or as assigned by the Head of School.
- Lead Lower Division Class Placement annually each summer.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to the satisfaction of the Head of School. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Minimum Qualifications:
Highly skilled in the following areas: communication, interpersonal and relationship building, analytical and strategic thinking, organization, time management, delegation, problem solving, conflict management and decision-making.
Strong background in curriculum development, childhood development and employee management and supervision.
Adept at public speaking.
A role model of high standards of professional behavior and strong leadership.
Willing to embrace the lifestyle of working in a small independent school by being a team player and working the amount of time that is required to model excellence in job performance.
A strong sense of ethics and integrity.
A strong commitment to collaborate as a member of the administrative team.
Experience:
Master’s degree required. Degrees in education or organizational leadership preferred.
Minimum of three years of experience in an administrative role.
Minimum of 8-10 years of experience as a teacher/educator
Compensation and Benefits: Laurence School provides a strong benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents, voluntary coverage options, access to 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer matching contributions, generous paid time off, wellness incentives, discounts, and professional growth opportunities.
Salary: $110,000 - $135,000 based upon education, degree(s), and years of experience and knowledge
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to jobs@laurenceschool.com and Laurie Wolke at lwolke@laurenceschool.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Non Discrimination Policy:
Laurence School is an equal-opportunity employer. We continually strive to build an inclusive culture in our diverse community. Laurence School prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion (including all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy and breastfeeding), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status or registered domestic partner status, uniformed service member or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics or information, or any other basis protected by law. The School will afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, compensation, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, and termination.
Physical Demands:
The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.