The Helix School seeks an Interim Executive Director to provide steady, experienced leadership during a planned transition, serving for the 2026-2027 school year. The Interim Executive Director will serve as the chief executive of The Helix School, reporting to the Board of Directors and working in close partnership with a strong, committed Leadership Team.

Since its founding in 2014, The Helix School has grown significantly and is now focused on strengthening the operational infrastructure, financial discipline, and staff culture necessary to support its next chapter. The Interim Executive Director will be asked to make meaningful progress on those fronts while honoring the mission, relationships, and spirit that make Helix exceptional.

The right candidate is a seasoned operational leader with a genuine understanding of and passion for the population Helix serves. Experience in special education and familiarity with the nonpublic school landscape are important assets in this role. Above all, this is someone who can earn the trust of families, staff, and the Board quickly, lead through change with both firmness and heart, and set the stage for the permanent Executive Director who will follow.

• Degree in special education or a related field; experience working with students with autism spectrum disorder required
• Strong financial literacy, with the ability to work effectively alongside existing administrative and operational leadership
• Demonstrated experience building and implementing HR systems, including hiring, performance management, and staff accountability, in collaboration with existing personnel infrastructure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences, including staff, families, board members, and district partners
• Experience in a nonpublic school or district-funded special education setting, with working knowledge of IEPs, district contracts, and NPS compliance, highly preferred
• Familiarity with Regional Center systems and processes a plus

About The Helix School

ABOUT THE SCHOOL The Helix School is a Cognia-accredited nonpublic school (NPS) specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodivergent profiles, serving students from kindergarten through age 22 across the San Francisco Bay Area. Guided by the mission to “guide autistic children to lead fulfilling and connected lives,” The Helix School has grown from two students at its founding in 2014 to a thriving learning community of over 60 students, the majority of whom are funded by their local public school districts. Partnering with families and districts across the Bay Area, the School navigates the full complexity of the NPS landscape, including IEPs, district contracts, and the regulatory framework that governs publicly funded special education placements. What makes The Helix School distinctive is its interdisciplinary model: clinical services, including occupational therapy and speech-language pathology, are embedded directly alongside teaching faculty, creating an integrated team that works in concert around each student. The integrated curriculum is tailored to each student's developmental level, sensory processing differences, and emotional-regulatory needs,... with an emphasis on motivation, kinesthetic, and sensory-based learning. The Helix School partners with families and school districts to deliver educational programming that is responsive, relationship-driven, and rooted in the belief that every learner deserves a path forward. PURPOSE The Helix School exists to create a learning environment where autistic and neurodivergent students are known, valued, and challenged to grow. Through individualized instruction, evidence-based practices, and a whole-child approach, The Helix School cultivates academic progress, social-emotional development, and the confidence students need to build meaningful, self-directed lives. The School's work is guided by care, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to each student's potential.

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Connections working at The Helix School