Posted: 17-Nov-25
Location: Cutchogue, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $120,000 - $160,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
Peconic Community School (PCS) is a vibrant, progressive, and deeply human-centered learning environment located on the North Fork of Long Island, a bucolic seaside region approximately two hours east of New York City. Rooted in project-based, place-based, and social-emotional learning, PCS serves children from early childhood through middle school with a mission to nurture creativity, compassion, critical thinking, and community. We believe that education should be joyful, purposeful, and deeply connected to making the world around us a better place.
The Board of Trustees has launched a search for a new Head of School. The Board and community will look to the new Head to provide strategic vision and leadership. Priorities include:
- Continuing to foster the robust academic and curricular programming – and the infrastructure that supports it – to help maintain excellence and uphold PCS's educational philosophy.
- Grow the school's reach and reputation, successfully executing fundraising for the annual fund and capital campaign.
- Advancing improvements and renovations to the school campus and facilities to help use "place" as another key way to realize our mission.
- Serve as a key advocate and leader in the schools continued efforts in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic, experienced, visionary and collaborative leader with a deep belief in child-centered schools and a passion for sustaining and growing a thriving learning community. This is a full-time, year-round leadership role reporting to the Board of Trustees, with lead responsibility for all educational, operational, and strategic dimensions of the school. The Head of School works closely with a small leadership team and directly supervises all staff.
Fast Facts:
- Students enrolled: 98
- Faculty and staff: 27
- Annual operating budget: $2.9M
- Grades served: 2 years through Grade 8
- Community Partners: 100+
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an experienced educator and leader who:
- Believes deeply in progressive education, especially child-centered, project-based and place-based learning
- Has child development expertise and classroom experience in a progressive or project-based school setting
- Understands that happy teachers make happy students and is committed to supporting and empowering staff
- Is a compassionate, skilled communicator—with students, staff, and especially with parents as true partners
- A skilled problem solver, adept at navigating conflict and troubleshooting
- Values emotional intelligence and fosters a culture of inclusion, equity, and kindness
- Is comfortable wearing many hats in a small school setting, moving fluidly between instructional leadership, operations, development, HR, marketing, and finances
- Leads with humility, curiosity, and integrity— with trust in a collaborative team
- Thrives in a role that balances big-picture visioning with hands-on day-to-day leadership
Key Responsibilities
Educational Leadership
- Uphold and evolve PCS’s educational philosophy in alignment with progressive, project-based, and place-based pedagogy
- Work closely with trustees and other key constituents on the school’s strategic direction and campus improvement plans
- Support faculty in designing and delivering meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences. Empower faculty and staff through delegation of responsibilities while retaining ultimate accountability.
- Foster a culture of reflective practice, innovation, and professional growth
- Recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty and staff as well as student population
- Serve as a key advocate and leader in the schools continued efforts in areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Collaborate closely with other directors, including the Director of Teaching and Learning, Program Director and Director of Admissions
Community & Culture
- Maintain a warm, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent school culture for children, families, and staff
- Foster an environment for culturally responsive sustaining practices and pedagogy
- Lead with empathy and clarity, modeling open communication and deep respect for each community member
- Act as a trusted liaison with parents, building strong partnerships through active listening, collaboration, and transparency
- Support and expand the various programs PCS runs for the community at large
Fundraising & Outreach
- Serve as an ambassador for PCS’s mission within the local community and to independent schools regionally and beyond.
- Partner with the Board and development team to lead strategic fundraising initiatives and campaigns
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors, foundations, and community partners
- Strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses to advance shared goals
- Oversee and support community events and outreach efforts that raise awareness and engagement
Administrative & Operational Oversight
- Oversee day-to-day school operations, including scheduling, compliance, health/safety, and HR
- Work closely with the Board of Trustees on budgeting, finances, and strategic planning
- Lead and support marketing and enrollment initiatives to share PCS’s story and expand its reach
- Steward relationships with donors and lead fundraising efforts to ensure long-term sustainability
Student Support
- Provide leadership in promoting a safe, inclusive, and supportive school climate that fosters student growth and well-being.
- Assist in the management of student behavioral concerns, working closely with staff, students, and families to ensure consistent and developmentally appropriate approaches.
- Collaborate with counselors, learning specialists, and faculty to proactively identify and address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
- Attend and contribute to child study meetings, ensuring appropriate interventions, accommodations, and next steps are implemented and followed up.
- Maintain open, empathetic, and proactive communication with parents/guardians regarding student concerns, progress, and plans for support.
- Support teachers in developing and implementing effective classroom management strategies and differentiated instruction to meet diverse student needs.
- Stay informed about students with IEPs, 504 Plans, and other support documents; ensure school-wide awareness and implementation of accommodations as appropriate
- At least 5 years of teaching and leadership experience in progressive and/or child-centered education
- Deep understanding of child development and inquiry-based pedagogy
- Demonstrated success in organizational leadership, communication, and team management
- Experience that includes: an ability to lead organizations through continuous improvement ; experience with fiscal management ; successful track record of recruiting and maintaining faculty, staff and student body
- Strong organizational and communication skills; adept at managing multiple priorities
- Proven ability to foster strong relationships with families, staff, and the wider community
- Experience with school operations, including budgeting, HR, fundraising, and compliance
- Master’s degree in education, school leadership/administration, non-profit administration, or a related field preferred
Why Join Peconic Community School?
Peconic Community School is a close-knit, joyful learning community on the North Fork of Long Island, where children are known, seen, and celebrated. The Head of School will be supported by a dedicated team of progressive educators and a highly engaged and supportive Board of Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity to build on a strong foundation and help shape the future of a beloved and mission-driven school with strong governance.