Head of the Lower School

About the school

Since 1910 St. Annes-Belfield School has been committed to nurturing the whole student: body heart mind and soul. As the largest independent school in the college town of Charlottesville Va. our 900 students age 2 through Grade 12 inspire us each day as we aspire to educate the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.

As a member of our school community youd be joining a team of people who are passionate about their roles and contributing to a community of purpose and belonging. Those who thrive at St. Annes-Belfield are people who as outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate pursue knowledge to generate impact seek to engage diverse perspectives and practices engage in reflection demonstrate moral character and integrity and work to understand and meet the needs of the community.

Our two beautiful campuses on 55 acres serve as vibrant hubs for curiosity creativity and academic excellence. This is perfectly complemented by our location in Charlottesville one of the top 5 happiest cities in the U.S. as recognized by National Geographic and Outside Magazine. Opportunities abound to connect with nature enjoy arts and culture engage with the University of Virginia only one mile away and explore American history both within our region or Richmond (one hour by car) and Washington D.C. (two hours by car).

If youre looking for adynamic learning environment where your contributions help spark each childs potential we invite you to consider a career with St. Annes-Belfield. We at St. Annes-Belfield School believe it is the quality and passion of our people that set us apart. We seek to hire the best teachers administrators staff members and coaches to support our student body by offering a competitive benefits package and providing a wonderful working environment.

At St. Annes-Belfield learning is alive. The School is a community that balances warmth and rigor where children are known deeply challenged thoughtfully and encouraged to see themselves as both learners and leaders. Guided by the Schools Portrait of a Graduate which emphasizes curiosity integrity diversity agency impact and creativity the Lower School lays the foundation for these enduring habits of mind and heart. Faculty students and families describe the community as vibrant connected and rooted in purpose a place where curiosity and joy are paired with clear expectations and strong academics.

Reporting to Head of School Autumn A. Graves the Head of the Lower School (LS) will join a collaborative senior administrative leadership team (SALT) and guide a talented faculty that cares deeply about their students and craft. The next division head will be an experienced leader with a deep understanding of early childhood and elementary pedagogy a proven ability to motivate faculty to embrace research-based educational innovation and the operational skill to manage a large dynamic program and campus. The division head will bring both expertise and an educators heart to every interaction balancing empathy with decisiveness and vision with follow-through.

The division head will be visible and engaged present in classrooms in conversation with parents and guardians and in partnership with colleagues. The successful candidate will have a clear point of view demonstrate courage integrity and professional poise and use data and research to inform thoughtful decisions. They will be someone who can honor the Schools traditions while leading the Lower School boldly into its next chapter advancing excellence through robust operational systems transparent communication and a steadfast focus on teaching and learning.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

In partnership with the Head of School the Academic Team and fellow division heads the next Head of the Lower School will focus on the following priorities:

Inspire Excellence and Belonging in Teaching and Learning: In partnership with faculty students and families champion a learning environment that reflects the Schools mission and values. Foster a culture of professional excellence and intellectual engagement that empowers teachers and students alike to grow as learners and citizens.

• Champion Rigorous and Innovative Curriculum: Ensure balanced academic and co-curricular programming that honors the Schools traditions while advancing 21st-century pedagogical design. Promote practices that blend inquiry creativity and structure leading to measurable student growth and authentic engagement.
  
  
• Align and Strengthen the ECP Grade 4 Continuum: Build a cohesive bridge between the Early Childhood Program (ECP) and the Lower School by aligning philosophy curriculum and expectations for growth. Collaborate with the Director of the ECP Admission and Learning Support Specialist to partner on student retention and transition readiness to thoughtfully serve each childs best interest..

Lead the Continued Implementation of Standards-Based Learning (SBL): Use data and professional research to guide instructional decisions and measure progress toward desired learning outcomes. Provide clear direction and communication around SBL to strengthen understanding among faculty and families.

• Advance Experiential and Outdoor Learning: Collaborate with faculty and school leaders to expand interdisciplinary hands-on learning that connects students meaningfully to the world around them. Cultivate a culture that celebrates curiosity creativity and exploration deepening alignment with the Schools Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
• Serve as a Strategic Partner in School-Wide Leadership: As an integral member of SALT partner with the Head of School and Academic Team to advance institutional goals ensure cohesive age 2 through Grade 12 alignment and sustain a vibrant inclusive community that embodies the Schools mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Work collaboratively with the Academic Team to meet the Schools purpose and strategic goals;
• Provide meaningful leadership of the ECP including direct supervision of the programs director;
• Define and support appropriate student behavior that embraces the Schools expectations of being an inclusive and supportive learning community;
• Support the admission retention and re-enrollment process;
• Enthusiastically engage the divisions parent body as a whole and individual parents/guardians to build a trusting partnership between the School and home.
• With the LS Dean of Students drive K 4 co-curricular programming community service Chapel inclusive excellence and student leadership programming design and implementation;
• With the Head of the Middle School effectively leverage the Lower and Middle School Dean of Academics as a resource for curricular innovation and academic program execution;
• Actively seek ongoing professional development through a well-established professional learning network and support divisional faculty in the same pursuit.
• Set clear expectations for faculty and staff and follow the Schools evaluation model;
• Thoughtfully oversee operating budgets for the ECP and Grades K 4; and
• Actively serve as a member of the senior administrative leadership team that leads and supports school-wide initiatives policies and procedures.

QUALITIES & ATTRIBUTES

St. Annes-Belfield seeks a Lower School leader who is both an educational visionary and a grounded relational presence. The next Head of the Lower School will inspire trust and confidence among students faculty and families by leading with clarity consistency and heart. The person will be a strong advocate for teachers and children alike someone who believes deeply in the power of early education to shape character curiosity and community. The ideal candidate will pair pedagogical depth with warmth and humility bringing both strategic insight and everyday attentiveness to a division that values joyful learning and meaningful relationships.

This leader will champion innovation grounded in sound practice support faculty in aligning purpose and pedagogy and communicate with transparency and empathy. The division head will be a visible engaged presence across classrooms and community events approachable to students collaborative with colleagues and trusted by families.

Additionally:

• Demonstrates integrity discretion and sound judgment.
• Balances confidence with approachability; leads with empathy..
• Models clear consistent and transparent communication.
• Brings strong organizational skills follow-through and attention to detail.
• Values data-informed and research-based practices while honoring teacher expertise.
• Enjoys coaching and developing faculty fostering collaboration and promoting professional growth.
• Has the courage to make thoughtful sometimes difficult decisions in service of balancing the good of the individual with the good of the whole.
• Demonstrates steadiness under pressure flexibility in the face of change and optimism in community life.
• Exhibits a growth mindset cultural competence and a genuine curiosity about others perspectives.
• Serves as a reflective partner to senior leadership and a visible advocate for the Lower School within the broader St. Annes-Belfield community.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• An advanced degree in a field related to curriculum child development leadership or pedagogy;
• Demonstrated record of innovative teaching expertise with proven learning outcomes and interdisciplinary experiences;
• 3 5 years of administrative experience leading and managing a diverse community of educators through relationships based upon mutual respect trust and empathy;
• Experience as a teacher student parent and/or administrator in an independent school;
• Extraordinary verbal and written communication skills that demonstrate warmth empathy humor and love for early childhood and elementary children their parents/guardians and their teachers;
• Proficiency in a second language desired.

PROCEDURE TO APPLY

As an inclusive community St. Annes-Belfield School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. Annes-Belfield School does not discriminate based on race color religion gender sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs admission policies financial aid program or employment policies.

Benefits Provided

• Competitive annual salary based on experience
• Relocation stipend
• Generous PTO up to 6 weeks vacation 3 personal days annually
• Shared cost high-quality medical dental and vision insurance
• School paid short-term and long-term disability and life insurance
• Retirement plan with a match
• Supplemental insurance policies
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) / Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition remission for children enrolled at the school (day students Pre-School through Grade 12 only)
• Free after-school care (3 5:30 p.m.) for Pre-School through Grade 8 enrolled at the school
• Free lunch when school is in session
• 20% discount at the St. Annes-Befield School store

Interested candidates are invited to submit via the following materials confidentially as a single PDF file:

• A cover letter indicating the candidates particular interest in and qualifications for the position
• A current résumé/CV
• A statement of educational philosophy
• List of references including names email addresses and telephone numbers. References should speak to the applicants ability to be an effective educator and administrator to work successfully with children and to work collaboratively and collegially with adults (references will be contacted only with the candidates permission). The following references have been requested specifically by St. Annes-Belfield School and must be provided in totality:
• A Head of School serving while the candidate was in a leadership role
• A non-Head of School direct supervisor
• A colleague who worked on a team with the candidate
• A direct report who served under the candidate
• A parent whose child was a student under the candidates supervision (parent association leader/member grade-level parent volunteer etc.)

Please address any questions by email to .

SEARCH CALENDAR

• Applications due: November 20 2025
• Semifinalists interviews: Weeks of December 8 and 15 2025
• Finalists interviews: Weeks of January 5 and 12 2026
• Hiring announcement: Late January 2026
• Start date: July 1 2026