McLean School (mcleanschool.org) a K-12 co-educational independent school in Potomac, Maryland, seeks applicants for the full-time Director of Summer and After School Programs to begin June 2026.

School Overview

Transforming the lives of students and families, McLean School is Washington, DC’s premier independent school preparing bright students in kindergarten through grade 12, including those with dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Functioning challenges, for college success. For over 70 years, the School has helped students realize their full potential with a full-scope educational program and curriculum that is traditional without being rigid, challenging without being intimidating, and designed with the real world in mind.

Many schools talk about the warmth of their community, the collegiality, and the deep sense of caring and trust among and between students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents. At McLean, born from the mission of serving learners that span the range of racial, socio-economic, cultural, and learning strengths and challenges, that deep sense of caring for one another provides a bedrock foundation.

McLean has been built to serve students who learn differently, recognizing that all children are natural learners, but that they learn in different ways. The School’s unique Abilities Model® is a complete way to understand how student minds work. This approach recognizes each child for their strengths, allowing them to excel, while providing support in areas of challenges and fostering resilience. This combination transforms how students view themselves and their futures.

SummerEdge, McLean’s Summer Camp Program, is an extension of the magic that happens throughout the school year. Campers are able to get an “edge” by learning academic and creative skills to foster personal growth and prevent the summer slide in a way that’s fun, not forced. The small group environment promotes camaraderie, focus, connection, and creativity. ?By creating a supportive and nurturing environment for a broad range of ages, strengths, and learning challenges, everyone at SummerEdge is able to feel successful in a variety of settings.

Reaching all corners of the McLean experience, the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is an extension of its mission to make education accessible, stimulating, and meaningful to a broad range of learners. McLean embraces diversity and values the integrity of all individuals. This recognition enriches the community and encourages students to be better leaders and more responsible citizens.

 Position Overview

The Director of SummerEdge and After School Programs is a key leadership role responsible for envisioning, developing, and managing McLean’s growing portfolio of auxiliary programs. This includes the design and delivery of a robust summer program (SummerEdge) and a wide range of after-school offerings that support the School’s mission and meet the needs of families. The Director oversees all aspects of program planning, staffing, operations, marketing, and financial management. The new Director will be expected to build upon the existing strong programmatic base and lead the participation and programmatic expansion of SummerEdge by augmenting academic offerings for children in kindergarten to grade 8 as well as explore the addition of credit bearing academic summer courses for grades 9-12 students.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience and expertise in:

Program Leadership & Development

• Design, implement, and oversee all aspects of SummerEdge, offering engaging academic and enrichment opportunities that reflect McLean’s philosophy and high standards for student experience.
• Design and manage all After School Programs, including extended day, enrichment classes, clubs, and special events.
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise seasonal and part-time staff, including teachers, counselors, and vendors.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with outside organizations and program providers.
• Ensure all programs are inclusive, mission-aligned, and responsive to student interests and family needs.

Operations & Management

• Oversee daily operations of auxiliary programs, including scheduling, staffing, facilities usage, transportation, and safety protocols.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and standards for quality and risk management.
• Collaborate with faculty and administration to coordinate use of space and resources.
• Maintain accurate records related to attendance, staffing, licensing, and compliance requirements.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage budgets for all auxiliary programs.
• Monitor revenue and expenses, ensuring programs meet or exceed financial goals.
• Collaborate with the Business Office on billing, payroll, and vendor contracts.
• Explore opportunities for program growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

Community Engagement and Marketing

• Serve as the primary point of contact for families regarding all auxiliary programming.
• Work with the Communications and Marketing team to promote programs to internal and external audiences.
• Provide clear, timely, and professional communication with families, staff, and leadership.
• Represent McLean in the wider community, promoting auxiliary programs as valuable extensions of the School’s mission.

 Desired Skills and Personal Characteristics

• A deep commitment to McLean School’s mission, values, and belief in the potential of every student.
• Understanding of how students with dyslexia, anxiety, ADHD, and Executive Functioning issues learn and how best to support them.
• Proven leadership and management experience in Auxilliary Programming or related area in a school setting.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, including writing, speaking, and interpersonal abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and supervise staff while maintaining a culture of professionalism and care.
• Strategic thinker with the capacity to manage details and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, revenue management, and forecasting.
• Proficiency with relevant software (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, registration platforms).
• Collaborative team player with a sense of humor, creativity, and resilience.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends during program sessions.
• Compassionate, flexible, and caring leadership style while still having the ability to make tough-but-correct decisions when necessary.
• Be particularly attuned to and skillful in working with parents who have a high level of concern for their children as learners.

McLean School is located in Potomac, Maryland, a suburban community about 14 miles northwest of Washington, DC. With tree-lined streets and lush lawns, the area is quiet and relaxing, while still offering convenient access to the cultural and historical richness of the nation’s capital. The region boasts proximity to Great Falls National Park, Cabin John Park, and the many museums and performing arts venues of Washington, DC, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Kennedy Center.

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000

McLean School is an equal-opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants
for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, family responsibilities, disability,
genetic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need a reasonable accomodation due to a disability during the recruitment prcoess, please
contact Director of Executive Support and Recruitment, Robin Speller.

To Apply

Interested applicants should complete an online Application and upload their Cover Letter, Résumé, and List of References.

About McLean School of Maryland

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