St. Paul Academy and Summit School seeks candidates for the position of Middle School Assistant Principal.

About St. Paul Academy and Summit School:

St. Paul Academy and Summit School (SPA) is a coeducational, non-sectarian, college preparatory day school serving more than 920 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Our two campuses are located approximately a mile apart in St. Paul, Minnesota, serving Grades K-5 on our Goodrich Campus and Grades 6-12 on our Randolph Campus. The school draws students from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and throughout the eastern and western suburbs.

Our mission—shaping the minds and the hearts of the people who will change the world—is a promise to our students and our families, and it pushes us to be thoughtful about everything we do. It inspires us to be our best and reminds us that we have the responsibility to respect the unique potential in every child. Our mission gives us purpose and represents our greatest aspirations and values. But most of all, it reflects our deep belief in the talents and capabilities of our students.

For additional information about the school’s curriculum, community, and culture, please visit our website at www.spa.edu.

About the Middle School:

The Middle School at SPA is a place where students in Grades 6-8 experience the transition from childhood to young adulthood safely and surrounded by adults who care. Our culture is defined by our warm and welcoming community, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and our innovative and rigorous curriculum. The Middle School curriculum emphasizes wide-ranging exploration and skill development in specific disciplines, taught by teachers who understand and genuinely enjoy students at this age. Organization and accountability are emphasized, and students learn to take responsibility for managing their work.

In the Middle School, students are challenged to embrace new ideas and think independently. The classroom experience is based on increased academic rigor combined with increased freedom of choice and support for the social/emotional needs of young adolescents is provided using Developmental Designs for Middle School. Finally, the advisory system sets clear standards and expectations for individual behavior and community norms.

For more information about the Middle School, please visit the Middle School section of our website.

Position Begins: August 1, 2024
Status: Full-time, Exempt. 11 months
Department: Middle School Administration
Description: Middle School Assistant Principal

The MS Assistant Principal supports the MS Principal in all aspects of the routine operation of the Middle School and serves as the administrative point-person when the Principal is off-campus.

About the MS Assistant Principal:

As a key member of the Middle School Administrative Team (MSAT), the MS Assistant Principal is responsible for:

• Promoting the academic and social-emotional progress of the students;

• Supporting the safety and well-being of Middle School students and articulating and upholding MS community norms;

• Furthering the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work within the Middle School;

• Providing leadership in teaching and learning, specifically regarding the Developmental Designs advisory curriculum;

• Supervision of Team Leaders and their work with advisory teams;

• Supporting excellence in curricular and co-curricular programs.

As an instructional leader, the MS Assistant Principal should possess a passion and expertise for teaching and learning, especially with respect to best practices in the middle school classroom. They should demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development to deepen pedagogical expertise. The MS Assistant Principal will:

• Mentor and evaluate teachers in their first and second years;

• Coordinate conversations about and professional development for Developmental Designs and classroom climate and culture;

• Attend K-12 Academic Council as necessary;

• Attend student support meetings;

• Advise the Principal in day-to-day operations including scheduling, student achievement, behavior trends, and culture and climate of the middle school;

• Hire substitute teachers, After School Program Assistants, and assist in hiring full-time teachers;

• Assist in the coordination of student placement and scheduling.

As a community leader, the MS Assistant Principal should demonstrate a deep understanding of adolescent development and its impact on the whole child, and find joy in working with young adolescents, their teachers, and their families. The MS Assistant Principal will:

• Lead Middle School Student Life Team and attend all three grade-level Advisory Team Meetings at least once a month;

• Coordinate the advisory program, Developmental Designs and facilitate the annual creation of norms;

• Lead student disciplinary processes, behavior support, and communication with students, teachers, and families, and guide teachers in classroom management;

• Coordinate grade-level retreats and field trips in collaboration with the MSAT and MS Team Leaders;

• Collaborate with the Principal in the development of orientation for new students and families,

• Supervise Auxiliary Program Coordinator regarding After School Program, Assembly programming, Community Thursdays logistics, Middle School Socials, and other Student Life activities;

• Serve on the MS Admission Committee, the MS Intercultural Life Working Group, and others as assigned.

A successful candidate will bring:

• Expertise that enables them to support academic and community programming for middle school students;

• Commitment to the value of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and the ability to pursue it in meaningful ways;

• Skills to nurture the growth of student emotional intelligence;

• A collaborative approach when working with faculty, staff, and families;

• Excellent communication and strong organization and time-management skills;

• Success as a collaborative, confident, and creative problem solver;

• Commitment to professional growth and high professional standards;

• Flexibility and a strong work ethic;

• Kindness, warmth, sense of humor, and positive energy.

Required:

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of teaching, preferably in middle school divisions and in independent schools;

• Leadership experience in schools (ie, department chair, team leader, grade-level dean, dean of students, or similar);

• Candidates holding advanced degrees and with relevant school leadership experience are preferred.

How to Apply:

The position includes a competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, statement of teaching philosophy, and a list of references. To apply, please visit our website at www.spa.edu/careers.

SPA is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff, and maintaining a workplace culture in which all are treated equitably.