Head of Lower School
Allendale Columbia School
Start Date: July 1, 2026, or earlier
18 months – Grade 12, Co-ed day school
350 students
519 Allens Creek Road, Rochester, NY
Educators Collaborative is pleased to assist Allendale Columbia School in its search for a Head of Lower School to begin July 1, 2026, or earlier if feasible.
About the School
Allendale Columbia School (AC) is the result of the 1971 merger of the girls’ preparatory Columbia School and the Allendale School, which was founded as an all-boys’ country day. Both schools provided a comprehensive education for students in Grades K-12, and Columbia moved onto the Allendale campus to become the merged coed school. In 2020 AC added the Little School, affording 18 month-olds to 3 year-olds to become a part of the AC community. The school currently enrolls 350 students on its 33-acre campus – 30 in Pre-Primary, 145 in Lower School (grades PK-5), 54 in Middle School (grades 6-8), and 121 in Upper School (grades 9-12). Today Allendale Columbia is a thriving, diverse community of learners who engage locally and internationally to create opportunities to design, imagine, learn, and make a positive impact.
Mission
At Allendale Columbia, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students 18 months through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence. Together, our students and teachers imagine, design, and create in order to make a positive impact locally and globally.
Core Values
- Making connections that matter
- Mastering strategies for learning
- Inspiring curious and creative learners
- Sparking resilient spirits
- Daring to take risks
About the Position
Allendale Columbia (AC) seeks an experienced, dynamic educator and a curious learner to join a team of professionals responsible for innovative, authentic, and student-centered programming. Reporting directly to the Head of School, and a vital member of the school’s Leadership Team, the Head of Lower School is responsible for leading, inspiring, supporting, and hiring a talented team of approximately 40 faculty and staff. The Head of Lower School is also responsible for creating a culture of collaboration and kindness for our Little, Pre-Primary, and Lower School students and their families to enjoy.
Read the Information for Candidates which includes a full position description and leadership profile.
How to Apply
The ideal candidate will:
- Have at least 5 years of experience working with Pre-Primary and Lower School students, preferably in a leadership role.
- Have a master’s degree or higher in elementary education or school leadership.
- Be a natural leader and self-starter, and thrive in a creative role that has room to be defined by the person filling it.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically, as separate documents (preferably PDFs), the following materials:
- EC Candidate Summary Sheet (ask Sally, below, for this document)
- Formal cover letter of application stating desire to apply.
- Current résumé.
- Statement of leadership philosophy.
- At least three references, including name, title, relationship with candidate, phone number, and email address for each.
- EC Disclosure Form (ask Sally for this document)
Please send any candidate recommendations or referrals to:
Sally Mixsell, Partner, Educators Collaborative
Listing Date: November 24, 2025
Updated: December 9, 2025
The annual salary for the Head of Lower School position is $100,000-$115,000.
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