About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is an independent PK-12 day school with ~245 students located in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon.  The school was founded in 2003 and resides on an award-winning 45-acre campus located on the Deschutes River. The school’s unique mission weaves academic excellence,  experiential learning and community engagement.

Cascades Academy values employees who are committed to our mission, are prepared to engage fully in a learning community, and are excited to bring their authentic selves to work. Cascades Academy’s culture is highly collaborative and puts what is best for students at the center of the work. Regularly named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon, our faculty and staff see each other as teammates and feel motivated to do their best work here. 

Cascades Academy strives to cultivate and maintain a supportive, inclusive community for all employees and actively promotes a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.   We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and are eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.

Position Overview

The Lower School Division Head is responsible for the overall leadership and day-to-day functioning of the Lower School (PK–5). This role ensures a positive learning environment for students, supports and develops faculty, partners with families, and collaborates closely with the school’s senior leadership team. 

Application Instructions

To apply, please complete the application on our website, including your resume, cover letter, and at least two letters of recommendation. No phone calls, please.

It is the policy of Cascades Academy to provide equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental impairment, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other status protected by applicable law. Specifically, employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, abilities and training; advancement is and shall be based on the individual’s achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion.

Key Responsibilities-Leadership & Division Oversight

• Ensure alignment between the school’s mission, values, and all Lower School programming.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team and help guide strategic initiatives for the school.
• Oversee daily operations of the division, including classroom teachers, specialists, learning skills teachers, and academic aids. 
• Lead ongoing curriculum development efforts and instructional practices in partnership with the Director of Academic and Experiential Programs.
• Monitor all students’ social-emotional development, academic progress, and overall well-being, proactively communicating regularly with families regarding student experience.
• Oversee all learning accommodation plans and support students presenting with neurotypical learning profiles; serve as the primary point of contact for families and coordinate proactive, student-centered support among teachers, counselors, and external providers.
• Work closely with the Director of Counseling and Student Life to support student needs and partner effectively with teachers and families.
• Oversee and work closely with the Auxiliary Program Coordinator to support auxiliary programming, such as after care, early release, no school days, and summer camp.
• Act as the Director of the ECC Pre-Kindergarten and After School programs, ensuring the licensing process is timely and successful on an annual basis.
• Lead regular faculty division meetings and foster thoughtful dialogue about teaching, learning, and child development.
• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school, work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique - as they arise, and keep the Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and problems of the school.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

Faculty Support, Teaching, & Experiential Education

• Support hiring processes, faculty assignment decisions, and ongoing staffing needs.
• Observe and evaluate faculty, offering growth-focused coaching and feedback aligned with the school’s professional growth model.
• Coordinate and provide resources for professional development opportunities.
• Guide classroom environment expectations, student conduct, and community norms.
• Maintain clear communication among students, families, faculty, and staff.
• Participate in planning and implementing major off-campus and overnight student experiences, including:
• Fall Confluence
• Traveling Schools 
• Winter Sports
• Outdoor School
• Field Trips
  
  

Program Administration

• Create and oversee division schedules, duty schedules, co-curricular programming, and special events.
• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Management regarding prospective student school visits, student assessments, and parent interviews.
• Coordinate risk management needs in collaboration with the safety committee and school leadership.
• Develop and manage aspects of the division’s budget and resource allocation.
• Maintain accurate student records, reporting practices, and assessment processes.
• Coordinate coverage of substitutes when a teacher is absent. 

Qualifications-Personal & Professional Attributes

• Demonstrated success in instructional leadership, particularly in social-emotional learning, student-centered pedagogy, experiential learning, and/or other progressive educational approaches.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, inclusive leadership style.
• Professional, approachable, and warm demeanor that supports positive working relationships.
• Ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and hold both students and adults in positive regard.
• Deep cultural competence and experience working effectively with diverse communities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with supervisors, colleagues, families, and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex programs simultaneously.
• Proven ability to work positively and productively with families.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Prior lower school teaching and administrative experience required
• Previous experience as a division head is preferred
• Capacity to be credentialed at the Director level with the Early Childhood Division of the Oregon Registry.

About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is a PK-12 independent school located in Bend, OR.

Connections working at Cascades Academy