Career Center

Founded in 1831, Grand River Academy (GRA) is one of the oldest educational institutions in Ohio, antedating such institutions as Oberlin College, Western Reserve Academy, Case Western Reserve University, and Hiram College by several years. Grand River is also one of the oldest schools west of the Alleghenies – a pioneer in the field of education. It is the oldest active survivor of the Academy Movement in Ohio. GRA is a proudly single-sex institution, in Austinburg, Ohio. We serve approximately 75 boys and young men, ages 13-19, in grades 7-PG. In recent years, we have had students from 22 countries.

Situated on over 200 acres of land, GRA's campus provides space for young men to grow, learn, and explore. This historic campus contains four dormitories with capacity for 125 boarding students and 50 day students; three classroom buildings and the Gates Library; The Bud Field Student Center with the Robert Morrison Auditorium, a student center, a gymnasium, athletic center and sports fields, Armington Hall dining hall and administrative offices, a music room and recording studio, a wood shop, and housing for faculty and staff.

Our Mission

The Mission of Grand River Academy is to help young men activate their academic, emotional, and social potential and prepare them for lifelong success.

Grand River Academy is seeking an Interim Head of School. This is a two-year position.

Overview:

The Head of School is a visionary leader who will execute Grand River Academy's mission with enthusiasm and dedication. This pivotal role involves motivating and inspiring our dedicated educators, coaches, and counsellors, creating an environment of continuous improvement, high educational standards, and professional excellence.

The Head of School represents the Academy, advocating for its mission and values, while cultivating effective relationships within and outside our institution. This position is responsible for driving the strategic development of the Academy, implementing the Board of Trustees' policies, managing resources effectively to enhance student achievement, and leading high-quality professional leadership to ensure the highest standards of education and achievement.

The relevant By-Laws pertaining to the Head of School are as follows:

Article V  Administration

The operation and administration of Grand River Academy shall be carried on under the supervision of the Headmaster, a person hired by the Board of Trustees for this purpose. The Headmaster shall be charged with the responsibility and is granted commensurate authority to accomplish the aims and purposes of Grand River Academy in accordance with the policies of the Board of Trustees and the laws of the State of Ohio. The Headmaster is required to maintain full and complete communication with the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee and may request meetings with either body when matters of policy are in issue.

Article VI  Academic Work

Upon the recommendation of the Headmaster, the Board of Trustees may graduate pupils who have satisfactorily completed the course of studies of Grand River Academy in accordance with the requirements of the State of Ohio Department of Education. The Board of Trustees shall confer such certificates or diplomas as will show that the pupils have met such requirements. The Board may also confer such honors, prizes, medals and awards as the Headmaster and the teaching staff may recommend.

Job Purpose

• Implement the vision and mission of Grand River Academy, inspiring and motivating those engaged in the activities of teaching, learning, coaching and counseling;
• Create and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and success, and a high standard of education and professionalism for all;
• Represent the Academy and act as an advocate for its mission and values, forming and developing effective partnerships both inside and outside the Academy;
• Promote and model the Academy mission, vision and values, and successfully implement the Board of Trustees’ policies;
• Create an environment in which the resources of the Academy are effectively managed to secure the achievement of students, staff and faculty;
• Work with the Board to provide high quality professional leadership, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, and achievement;
• Day-to-day management of students, staff, resources and facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the Board of Trustees, the faculty and staff to develop and communicate a clear strategic vision for the successful development of the Academy;
• Motivate and empower others to carry this vision forward;
• Ensure sustainability is integrated across all areas, using as many of the Academy's resources as possible;
• Model the values and vision of the Academy;
• Develop a fully costed, five-year strategic plan in conjunction with the staff, Board and faculty.
• Lead curriculum and perhaps mission refinement, revisioning, and improvement, ensuring a creative, inspiring and strategically relevant Academy for the next century.

Key Job Functions:

• Leadership of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• Managing the Academy
• Financial Management
• Leading and Managing Staff
• Securing Accountability
• Strengthening Community
• Safeguarding Students
• Stewardship

Leadership of Teaching, Learning and Assessment

• Ensure the quality of teaching and learning is at the center of strategic planning;
• Ensure a planned annual cycle of assessment, monitoring and evaluation across the Academy;
• Demonstrate and articulate high expectations, setting aspirational targets for all;
• Ensure a consistent and continuous approach to monitoring student progress, using data and benchmarks to identify individual and group achievement;
• Ensure the implementation of effective intervention and support, the impacts of which, are regularly reviewed and evaluated;
• Implement approaches that develop student understanding of themselves as active learners;
• Implement strategies that promote high standards of behavior;
• Monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice, promoting strategies to ensure that the highest standards of teaching and learning are maintained;
• Challenge under-performance at all levels.

Managing the Academy

• Develop and sustain an organizational structure, which raises standards and ensures that the Academy functions effectively;
• Manage the Academy on a day-to-day basis ensuring that policies, including those relating to safeguarding and health & safety are fully adhered to;
• Manage the Academy’s financial and human resources in line with relevant policies to ensure efficiency in achieving the Academy’s educational goals and priorities;
• Ensure that policies and practices adapt to national and local circumstances and initiatives;
• Work with the Executive Team and senior colleagues to recruit, retain and deploy staff to achieve the vision and goals of the Academy;
• Make arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the Academy buildings, contents and grounds;
• Undertake responsibilities as defined in health and safety policies and ensure that appropriate risk assessments are undertaken.
• Manage, monitor and review the range, quality, quantity and use of all available resources in order to improve the quality of education, improve student achievement, ensure efficiency and secure value for money;
• Undertake responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students.

Financial Management

• Work on appropriate priorities for expenditure, allocating funds effectively within the context of the annual budgetary cycle and Academy improvement priorities;
• Work with the Board and the Finance Office to manage agreed budgets, ensuring effective administration and value for money;
• Support the Board in securing additional resources to aid Academy improvement.

Leading and Managing Staff

• Carry out, through line management or direct responsibility, the performance reviews of all staff and all relevant arising actions;
• Deal effectively with staff under-performance, in line with relevant policies;
• Lead recruitment and selection of teaching and support staff;
• Provide support in creating and maintaining good working relationships amongst all members of the Academy community;
• Motivate and support staff by identifying and addressing areas for development and building on their strengths to support Academy succession planning.
• Promote the highest standards of courtesy and mutual respect amongst all members of the Academy community;
• Ensure that all staff carry out their professional duties in accordance with their job description and national guidance and regulations;
• Encourage initiative, team work and working in partnership;
• Develop and strengthen leadership across the Academy.

Securing Accountability

• Work with the Executive Team and Board of Trustees, providing information, objective advice and support to enable Academy to meet its responsibilities;
• Develop and present a coherent and accurate account of the Academy’s performance to a range of audiences including the Executive Team, Board of Trustees, and parents and others;
• Provide suitable reports for, and be present at, all Board of Trustees meetings;
• Develop an Academy ethos that enables everyone to work collaboratively, share knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes;
• Ensure individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, agreed and subject to rigorous review;
• Effective fulfilment of all responsibilities outlined within this document.

Strengthening Community

• Build a culture, within the context of the Academy’s vision, which takes into account the richness and diversity of the local, national, and global communities;
• Help re-engage the alumni base of the Academy to provide support to the Academy’s five-year strategic plan;
• Collaborate with other agencies and assets to promote the academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of students and their families;
• Maintain and develop effective partnerships with parents and caregivers to support and improve students’ achievement and personal development;
• Seek opportunities to invite parents and caregivers, community figures, businesses or other organizations into the school to enrich student experiences.

Safeguarding Students

• Ensure that all safeguarding policies and practices fully meet the latest national guidelines;
• Ensure all staff are fully trained and aware of their particular responsibilities and best practices to protect students and the Academy;
• Cooperate and work with relevant agencies to keep students safe at all times.

Stewardship

• Work with Board of Trustees to communicate the mission and goals of the Academy to engage funders, donors, supporters and other grantmaking organizations.

Closing:

This role is an extraordinary opportunity for an accomplished and passionate educational leader. We look forward to your application and the possibility of you guiding the Academy to its next phase of excellence.

Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Education or related field(s). Doctorate preferred. Experience teaching and leading in independent and boarding schools preferred. 

About Grand River Academy

Established in 1831, Grand River Academy is a college preparatory boarding and day school located in Austinburg, Ohio, that serves up to 175 young men in grades 7-12, with a post-graduate option. The faculty and staff continue to make strides in the school’s mission to educate the total young man – academically, socially and emotionally to prepare them for lifelong success. The school offers small and intimate class sizes, individualized instruction and supportive faculty. Grand River Academy serves a unique and important niche - helping young men unlock and activate their full potential.

Connections working at Grand River Academy