Delaware Valley Friends School

Paoli, PA
Director of Admissions for July, 2010

Delaware Valley Friends School was incorporated in 1986, as an independent coeducational Friends school for 206 adolescents with language-based learning differences in grades 6-12. 60 % are male and 40% are female. On average, 30% receive some kind of financial assistance.  The School is operated by a Board of Directors and is under the care of the Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. The mission of the School is to prepare students with learning differences for future work and study. It seeks to develop those personal strengths which enable students to succeed in its college preparatory curriculum. It also recognizes that it has a responsibility to share its expertise with teachers and students beyond the school community. The program attracts students from independent and public schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. 

At DVFS, the Quaker heritage of compassion and justice shapes the fabric of daily life and informs interactions among students, teachers, staff and parents.  All students take a rigorous college preparatory course of study. The School accommodates their learning differences by using multi-sensory teaching methods and direct teaching of learning strategies that make use of each student’s particular strengths. Classes are small which enables teachers to know individual students and tailor assignments to those students who need more challenge or support, or both. 100% of DVFS students go on to college; 75% to four-year institutions.

The School is located on an 8-acre campus in a densely populated suburban neighborhood. The town of Paoli is approximately 20 miles from Philadelphia within easy reach of renowned educational and cultural opportunities. Approximately 88% of operating costs are funded by tuition, with the remaining 12% coming from gifts, grants, investment income, and other revenue. The School’s endowment is valued at $3.6m. DVFS is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools.

Position Description:

The Director of Admissions is responsible for the day-to-day management and direction of the Admissions Office and all aspects of the Admissions process from inquiry to enrollment.  S/he supervises staff in the Admissions Office and student tour guides and reports to the Head of School with the following responsibilities:

  • Actively marketing the School to schools, families and the community
  • Visiting feeder schools and colleagues in sending schools
  • Developing written materials in cooperation with the Development Office
  • Training, scheduling and supervising the student tour guide program
  • Scheduling, planning and hosting monthly prospective parent open houses
  • Maintaining regular contact with referring professionals
  • Attending exhibits, fairs and conferences to market the School
  • Recruiting scholarship recipients from public and independent schools
  • Overseeing the transition of new students to the School
  • Attending DVFS Board of Directors meetings
  • Attending professional meetings such as the International Dyslexia Association Conference
  • Overseeing the Admissions Committee and serving on the Financial Aid Committee

A bachelor’s degree is required: A Master’s degree preferred. A minimum of five years of experience as Director or Associate Director of Admissions in an academic environment with a demonstrated track record of success is essential; independent school experience is preferred. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience.  Delaware Valley Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, or on the basis of national or ethnic origin, in admissions and financial aid programs, in the administration of its educational programs or in employment policies.

For further information about the school, please visit the website at www.DVFS.org. Interested candidates should email in MS Word, or send hard copies of, a letter of interest, résumé, personal statement and five references to:

Deirdre A. Ling, Partner                                                          
Educators’ Collaborative                                                          
P.O. Box 819                                                                          
West Tisbury, MA  02575                                                       
Phone:  508-696-7708                                                                        
Fax: 508-696-1881                                                                   
daling@comcast.net                                                     
OR
Jean G. Lamont
Educators’ Collaborative
42 Brookhaven Road
Hamden, CT  06517
Phone: 203-605-6975
FAX:  203-230-0133
jeanlamont@yahoo.com