Assistant Principal of Academic Life-Upper School
: Job Details :

Who we are?Ethical Culture Fieldston School is a progressive PreK-12 independent school that has been serving students from throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs since 1878. ECFS offers a rich curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. A co-ed, nonsectarian school, it serves a diverse community of about 1,700 students on two campuses -- one in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and the other in Manhattan. The Upper School, located in the Bronx, is comprised of approximately 600 students and 80 faculty members. What is essential about working at our school?The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has a long history of equity and inclusion deeply rooted in our mission and the educational philosophy of our founder, Felix Adler. We embrace diversity of ancestry, family, identity, culture, and beliefs and seek a student body and faculty that reflect the pluralism and socio-economic diversity of metropolitan New York. We affirm both our differences and commonalities and strive to balance individuality and community. In keeping with our progressive tradition, we are dedicated to increasing our students' cultural literacy to help them understand multiple perspectives and see the world beyond the self.We expect members of our community to engage in open dialogue about living and learning in a diverse environment inside and outside the classroom. We see this work, with its creative tensions, as a catalyst for individual and collective growth. On a daily basis, we are committed to making this vision of a democratic, pluralistic, and progressive school a reality.Position SummaryFieldston Upper School seeks a highly qualified and experienced Assistant Principal for Academic Life beginning in July 2025. The successful candidate will join an administrative team that includes the Upper School Principal and the Assistant Principal for Student Life. The assistant principals report to the Upper School Principal.The Assistant Principal for Academic Life will collaborate with the Principal and Assistant Principal for Student Life to ensure that the upper school academic program is dynamic and progressive and serves the mission of ECFS. The Assistant Principal for Academic Life is responsible for implementing all academic policies and procedures, monitoring and evaluating all current courses and academic programs, developing new curriculum initiatives with the Department Chairs, and establishing and certifying graduation and credit requirements. The AP will oversee the academic program in the Upper School and also serve as an instructional resource to faculty.The hiring range for this position is $165,000-$190,000. When determining the salary for an offer, ECFS considers factors including, but not limited to: the scope and responsibilities of the position, internal peer equity, key skills required for the role, the candidate's work experience, education and training, as well as market and organizational considerations.Please note that this is an onsite role and is not performed remotely. Ethical Culture Fieldston School retains its right to modify job duties in accordance with changing operational needs.ResponsibilitiesIn order to develop and further the academic-life mission of the school, the Assistant Principal of Academic Life will collaborate:

• With the faculty and Department Chairs, continually developing and implementing a coherent curriculum that reflects and honors the progressive mission of the school;
• With Department Chairs, to initiate policies and procedures that support and enrich the tradition of academic excellence and maintain the highest quality of progressive and inclusive classroom teaching and learning;
• With the Principal and Department Chairs, to guide the professional development of the faculty and implement periodic reviews of the curriculum by department and form;
• With the Scheduler to develop the master schedule for the Upper School
• With the Deans and the Student Support Team around student academic issues.

The Assistant Principal of Academic Life will also:

• Chair the Academic Integrity Board (AIB);
• Oversee the academic calendar, the academic schedule, faculty meeting schedule, variations in the daily schedule, end of semester assessments, Open School Night, faculty melees, Parent Conferences, and the Daily Bulletin;
• Monitor the workload of students, including the test calendar, course load, and homework;
• In collaboration with the Scheduler, Department Chairs and Deans, oversee the following year's course selection process, including revisions in the Course of Studies. Maintain oversight of and establish a timetable for the process of course selection and the placement of students in courses;
• Work with the Department Chairs and Deans to ensure that the courses that students choose for their programs are commensurate with their needs, interests, and abilities;
• Establish guidelines for considering requests for schedule changes and respond to requests for changes in schedule from students and parents during the summer after schedules are sent to students;
• Collaborate directly with the Ethics and Technology team in providing support to students and faculty and in promoting the ethical use of technology;
• In consultation with the Department Chairs, Deans, and the Learning Center, review and act upon requests for waivers or adjustments in academic requirements;
• With the Principal and Department Chairs, assess the staffing needs of the departments and participate or lead the hiring and retention of faculty. The leadership team (Principals and APs) is deeply engaged in the supervision and evaluation of probationary and continuing contract faculty;
• Supervises and works closely with the Registrar in establishing and implementing policies and procedures for grade reporting, Home Reports, and transcripts;
• Together with the Assistant Principal for Student Life, oversee new student orientation and new student placement;
• Chair the Curriculum committee and any ad hoc committees on the academic program; regularly communicate to the faculty any changes in policy or academic program;
• Review and approve all requests for field trips and rehearsals during the school day;
• Oversee the ACT/SAT national testing administrator and serve as a backup testing administrator;
• Oversee the Special Testing Coordinator;
• Serve as liaison with the Upper School admissions committee;
• Assist with the coordination of special events as they relate to the academic program;
• Serve as a liaison to any ad hoc or standing parent committees on academic life issues such as the Learning Styles Committee;
• In collaboration with the Principal and the Assistant Principal for Student Life, the Assistant Principal for Academic Life participates in the annual review of faculty and student handbooks;
• Teach a maximum of one course per semester and serve as an advisor.

The Assistant Principal of Academic Life works closely with the Principal in all matters affecting life in the Upper School and, in the Principal's absence, has overall responsibility for the Upper School.The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience managing a complex and extensive academic program and schedule;
• Excellent problem-solving skills and high emotional intelligence -- an important combination in working with young people, colleagues, and parents in a dynamic upper school;
• Experience with supervision, evaluation, and support of faculty and knowledge of different approaches to supervision and evaluation;
• Experience as an instructional coach supporting the pedagogical and professional growth of teachers;
• Knowledge and understanding of research on best progressive pedagogical practices, including inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, differentiation, and performance-based assessment models.;
• Knowledge and demonstrated effectiveness with curriculum design and planning, specifically interdisciplinary curriculum development;
• Commitment and passion for creating and nurturing an inclusive and diverse learning environment to support the development of the whole child;
• A positive, flexible, and professional approach to working with various school constituencies that includes faculty, students, parents, and school staff;
• Cultural competence and understanding, with experience implementing culturally responsive approaches to teaching and learning;
• A demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and a willingness to take intellectual risks, ask questions, be open to and welcoming of feedback, and comfortable having candid conversations in offering professional feedback to colleagues.

Position RequirementsThe successful incumbent will possess:

• A Master's degree or higher, preferably in educational leadership and/or curriculum and instruction;
• At least five years of distinguished teaching experience, preferably with upper school students;
• A minimum of three years experience in an administrative role;
• Prior distinguished leadership experience;
• Experience with progressive teaching and learning models like student-centered/inquiry-based teaching, project-based learning (PBL), performance-based approaches to assessment, and Understanding by Design (UbD) instructional planning;
• Proficiency with technologies, including familiarity with smartboards, Google platform, and various learning management systems (LMS) and student information systems (SIS);
• Strong communication skills;
• Respect and appreciation for diversity in all of its forms;
• The ability to listen effectively and be receptive to feedback.

To ApplyAll candidates should visit our employment page at www.ecfs.org to apply. A complete application will include a cover letter stating your interest with a resume, a separate statement of your educational philosophy, and the email, phone contact, and title for at least five professional references, two of which must include a current or former supervisor. Applications should be addressed to the Principal of the Upper School, Dr. Stacey D. Bobo.EEOECFS is an equal opportunity employer. Our goal is to be a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan New York City area, our students, and families. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. ECFS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.