Head of Upper School

Head of Upper School

About Charleston Collegiate:

Charleston Collegiate School (CCS) is an independent co-educational non-sectarian day school serving students from PS through 12th grade. Situated on a picturesque 30-acre campus of playing fields wooded trails and an Outdoor Education Center CCS is located on Johns Island just 20 minutes from Charlestons historic district and the beach resorts of Kiawah and Seabrook Islands.

Founded in 1970 CCS fosters a challenging and supportive learning community that recognizes nurtures and challenges its diverse student body. Organized into Lower School (PS-5) Middle School (6-8) and Upper School (9-12) the schools mission is to empower students through a student-centered approach that emphasizes collaboration innovation and individuality. With approximately 410 students CCS is Charlestons only independent PS-12 school of its kind providing a unique education grounded in the pillars of project-based learning entrepreneurship arts and creativity and outdoor education. These foundational elements equip students to become lifelong learners and resilient leaders ready for 21st-century careers.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Assistant Head of School the Head of Upper School serves as the primary academic and community leader for Grades 912 ensuring an Upper School experience that is safe learning-filled and joyfully energized. Leading through collaboration coaching cheerleading and clear communication the Head of Upper School works closely with peer division heads members of the schools extended leadership team and directly leads the efforts of an Upper School leadership team to advance the mission and vision of the school.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Guarantees a Safe Learning-Filled and Joyful Experience
  Ensures physical emotional and psychological safety; fosters a learning-filled academic program; and promotes a rigorous real-world relationship-based and responsive experience in the Upper School.
• Elevates & Enhances Upper School Brand
  Through ongoing review of base-level signature and pilot offerings (i.e. course catalog internship/winterim programming and curricular innovations) the Head of Upper School ensures a competitively viable and differentiated product. (Resource: Upper School Strategic Growth Plan).
• Leads People Well
  Serves as a collaborator coach cheerleader and communicator for students colleagues and families modeling integrity empathy optimism and professionalism.
• Student Experience & Accountability
  Oversees student life wellness conduct and community standards ensuring expectations aligned with core values and productive daily operations are clear consistent and developmentally appropriate.
• Colleague Leadership & Professional Growth
  Recruits develops evaluates and supports Upper School colleagues through coaching feedback accountability and meaningful professional learning.
• Academic Vision & Instructional Leadership
  In collaboration with the Head of Academics leads curriculum instruction assessment and academic policies articulating a learning-filled vision of excellence that balances rigor choice and student support.
• Leads Upper School Team
  Leads and coordinates the Upper School Leadership Team including the Director of College Counseling Upper School Counselor Advisory Program Coordinator and Student Life Coordinator ensuring alignment collaboration and shared ownership of student success.
• Culture & Community Builder
  Cultivates a collaborative inclusive and growth-oriented culture that strengthens trust pride and shared purpose across the Upper School community.
• Clear Proactive Communication
  Communicates early wide and often prioritizing transparency and compassion navigating complexity with clarity composure and follow-through.
• Performs other duties as assigned or approved by the Assistant Head or Head of School.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelors degree in related field; masters degree preferred
• At least 3 years of independent school leadership experience
• Successful track record connecting with collaborating with and coaching students colleagues and parents in an independent school context.
• An appreciation for the value of diversity in all forms
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and a dedication to a high level of confidentiality
• Exceptional written and oral communication
• Excellent organizational skills
• Detail-oriented and able to work collaboratively
• Strong work ethic and high level of integrity
• Technologically savvy experienced and willing
• High-energy and enthusiastic about working in an academic atmosphere

For more information and to apply visit or contact Head of School Andy Gyves at .

Required Experience:

Director