Head of School
Start Date: July 1, 2024
Co-ed Day School, Grades 9-12, 300 students
2901 California Street, San Francisco, CA
About the School
Founded in 1908 and located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, Drew School is an urban school that takes full advantage of its San Francisco location to engage its 300 students in active and experiential learning. Student voice and agency are central to the school’s ethos, as is a strong sense of community.
Mission
Drew knows and believes in teenagers. We engage each student in a process of intellectual discovery to develop an individual voice, the confidence to express it, and the empathy to understand its impact.
Beliefs
Drew School knows and believes in teenagers— and knows that students have ideas about what high school should be like. At Drew, students learn by doing, collaborating, and searching. Not simply for answers, but for how to use what is learned in life and in the world. In service of the mission, Drew is committed to delivering on the three essential aspects of what they believe high school should be:
- Academically: Drew connects what students learn to what’s important to them and teaches them how to apply that learning to impact the world in a supportive environment that will not just prepare them for college but will equip them with the skills and competencies required of a 21st- century global citizen. Work around anti-racism, equity, and inclusion is central to the school’s focus on building multicultural competencies and empathy to help build a more just world.
- Socially: Drew becomes a second home for students where they will explore their independence and feel safe and validated in a welcoming, energetic, and diverse community that celebrates their individuality and interests.
- Personally: Drew’s faculty and staff see each student as the individual they are and encourage them to use and amplify their distinct voice as they discover a newfound sense of agency to use what they learn in their life.
Community
Drew is a community that encourages students to be themselves. Students feel seen, heard, and connected to the community. It is this connection that creates the feeling of belonging and that compels students to care about themselves and the world around them. Drew students know they matter and that they have the power to make a difference. This importance of connection and belonging extends to our parent/guardian community as well. Drew encourages parents and guardians to become part of the community because we know it will enrich their family’s high school experience. The school has a strong Parent/Guardian Association that helps create a connected school community by encouraging volunteerism, providing a forum for information exchange, and promoting a culture of philanthropy.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
In order to allow for Drew’s mission to empower student voice and maximize impact, the Drew community is committed to equity, representation, and social justice that is grounded in a community of care. These values are brought to life through curriculum and programs that promote respect and belonging. Drew’s approach reflects the belief that social justice work is grounded in appreciation for, expression of, and attention to each person’s intersecting identities. By creating an inclusive environment without tolerance of discrimination, Drew provides the opportunity for continuous challenge and growth. Drew holds itself accountable to these values through policies and practices.
About the Position
The Board of Trustees seeks a creative leader who is highly visible and engaged in all aspects of school life to serve as Head of School beginning July 1, 2024. An excellent listener and communicator, they will demonstrate a deep understanding of adolescent development, be excited by the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and students to develop meaningful learning experiences, and be deeply committed to establishing Drew’s value proposition in the San Francisco independent school market.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in the position should submit the following materials; applications will be reviewed upon receipt:
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (contact Mary Seppala or Nat Conard for this document)
- Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee
- Resume
- Statement of educational leadership philosophy
- A list of five or more professional references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses) and relationship to the candidate
- Disclosure Statement (Contact Mary Seppala or Nat Conard for this document)
Please address any inquiries or expressions of interest to:
Mary Seppala, Partner, Educators Collaborative, maryseppala@gmail.com
Nat Conard, Partner, Educators Collaborative, nconard@educatorscollaborative.com
Listing Date: September 19, 2023
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