Job Description

The successful candidate will be a proponent of Sun Valley Community School’s emphasis on community, academic achievement, and its extensive Outdoor, Arts, and Athletics programs. The right candidate for this position will also understand the importance of close relationships between faculty and students and will nurture an atmosphere that builds the trust that is essential to those relationships. They should be an organized, energetic, and creative individual who motivates and inspires students, faculty, and parents. And finally, the successful candidate should be someone who embraces living and working in a mountain town. 

The Upper School Head is the primary administrator for grades 9 through 12. The position is part of the senior leadership team of the school, which works collaboratively on behalf of the school community. The Upper School Head reports directly to the Head of School.

ABOUT THE UPPER SCHOOL
The Upper School division consists of an experienced faculty and staff of approximately 30 professionals working with approximately 185 students in grades nine through twelve, with both a significant day population and a small but steady Residential Program that is mainly populated by competitive winter sport athletes who are a part of our thriving Sun Valley Ski Academy.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and evaluate all Upper School instructional and co-curricular programs in accordance with the school mission and goals.

• Hire, develop, and support an outstanding and experienced faculty.

• Facilitate a progressive faculty evaluation process. 

• Manage the Upper School budget.

• Communicate actively and constructively with parents regarding Upper School programs and student progress. 

• Represent the Upper School to external constituents and the greater Wood River Valley community.

• Promote creative and meaningful synergies between divisions and departments to maximize the experience of the faculty and students.

• Support, nurture, challenge, and inspire the Upper School and greater school communities, while having fun and maintaining a sense of humor.

• Uphold and manage the policies and procedures of the school as outlined in the school’s Student-Parent Handbook and in context of the school’s Community Standard.

• Effectively communicate Community School’s emphasis on academic achievement, its extensive Outdoor Program, arts, athletics, service learning, Sun Valley Ski Academy and Residential Programs, along with the close relationship between faculty and students.

• Provide administrative support, oversight, and lead the continued maturation of unique Upper School programs, such as: the Sun Valley Ski Academy, the Outdoor Leadership Academy, the Creative Arts Academy, and the College Counseling Program.

• Provide oversight and support for the Residential Program. The Director of Residential Life reports to the Head of Upper School and together they work in conjunction with the Director of SVSA and the Director of Admissions to oversee enrollment and programming.

• Understand and embrace the unique culture of a small independent school in a small mountain resort town. 

MISSION
From our campus to the wilderness, we inspire students to think critically, engage confidently, embrace challenges, and lead impactful, purposeful lives. 

ABOUT SUN VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Our philosophy? Build community. Take risks. Grow your curiosities. Pursue your passions. Aim for personal bests. We are a PreK-12 day and boarding college prep school of 450 students set in the iconic mountain resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Our faculty and staff are passionate about the outdoors, the arts, innovation, athletics, adventure, service, and the work they do with students. They are engaged and encouraging, and they believe in our student-centered approach. 

Our students are open to new experiences, take advantage of the natural environment, thrive in a small-town community but have a solid sense of the broader world. A Sun Valley Community School experience balances intellectual inquiry with adventure. We ask students and faculty alike to push comfort zones and seek understanding. We value inclusivity, authenticity, and critical thinking. 

Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should:

• Have extensive experience in the roles of an upper school administrator, teacher, and advisor and/or coach, with a demonstrated passion for working with high school age students.

• Have demonstrated strong and effective communication skills, expertise in program development, scheduling, personnel management, and knowledge of current pedagogical research as it relates to upper school students.

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. 

• Demonstrate a willingness to live and thrive in a small, vibrant resort community in the Rocky Mountains. 

Please send an electronic cover letter, statement of educational philosophy, resumé, and at least two letters of reference no later than April 10, 2025 to the contact information below. Resume review will begin upon submission and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis beginning immediately. 

Sun Valley Community School
C/O Sarah McDermott
Attn: Upper School Head Search
[email protected]

About Sun Valley Community School

Since its inception in 1973, Sun Valley Community School in Sun Valley, Idaho has inspired its students to think critically, embrace challenges, and lead impactful, purposeful lives. The school serves more than 430 day and boarding students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. Close student-faculty relationships and experiential, project-centered learning define the school’s distinctive educational experience. Our philosophy? Build community. Take risks. Grow your curiosities. Pursue your passions. Aim for personal bests. We are a preK-12 day and boarding college prep school of more than 400 students set in the iconic mountain resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Our faculty and staff are passionate about the outdoors, the arts, innovation, athletics, adventure, and the work they do with students. They are engaged and encouraging and believe in our student-centered approach. Our students are open to new experiences, take advantage of the natural environment, thrive in a small-town community but have a solid sense of the broader world. A Sun Valley Community School experience balances intellectual inquiry with adventure. We ask students and faculty alike to push comfort zon ... es and seek understanding. We value inclusivity, authenticity, and critical thinking. Please see our website for further details about our school’s guiding principles as well as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. Our mission: "From our campus to the wilderness, we inspire students to think critically, engage confidently, embrace challenges, and lead impactful, purposeful lives."

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