Dean of Academics

Dean of Academics

Grades 6-12

Full-Time 12-Month Position

Maclay School seeks a highly knowledgeable mission-driven Dean of Academics to serve as one of two deans responsible for advancing the Grades 612 academic program withexpertise clarity and vision. This role is ideal for an academic leader who understands curriculum deeplycoachesteachers with skill and empathy and elevates the overall quality of teaching and learning. The Dean of Academics ensures vertical alignment coherence across departments and clear academic pathways and serves as a visible relational presence in classrooms each day. This role partners closely with teachers department chairs student support and division leadership to strengthen curriculum refine instructional practices and support students academic growth.

As a central academic leader the Dean of Academics is expected to be deeply engaged in the daily life of teaching and learning across Grades 612 with a consistent presence in classrooms academic settings and key school events. To preserve the time and focusrequiredfor this work the Dean does not coach or hold primary supervisory roles in after-school athletics or arts. The role may extend beyond regular school hours at times; the Dean attends select after-school activities to connect with students and better understand the experiences that influence their academic performance.

Maclay School operates within a broader educational environment shaped by regional and state expectations as well as its own mission-driven Dean of Academics will sometimesencounterpoints where these policies intersect and must be able to support the schools expectations and the standards required by accrediting and governing bodies with confidence and clarity. Asstatedin our Statement of Community all members of Maclay are expected to respect support defend cooperate with and speak well of one another and the school and to place the best interests of the institution first.

The Dean of Academics understands that meaningful work is neveraccomplishedalone and is highly skilled at engaging other adults both inside and outside the community for support and collaboration. Building a strong internal network of faculty advocates is essential to maximizing impact and achieving the ambitious goals Maclay sets for its students and community. For this reason the ability to energize and mobilize others toward shared goals is a vital part of the role.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership & Academic Excellence

• Serve as one of two Dean of Academics collectively responsible for advancing Grades 612 instructional excellence and supporting high-quality teaching and learning across departments.

• Maintain deep ongoing knowledge of classroom practice by spending approximately 50% of time in classrooms regularlyobservinginstruction and providing direct feedback coaching and support to faculty.

• Lead curricular alignment ensuring courses connect vertically articulate across disciplines and reflect best practices in design and assessment.

• Work with department chairs to review and refine course policies syllabi and gradingpracticesso expectations are aligned andequitable.

• Champion academic rigor effective pedagogy and student-centered learning raising awareness and performance across the faculty.

• Support teachers through mentorship classroom coaching cycles and collaborative planning.

• Contribute to faculty professional learning byfacilitatingworkshops supporting schoolwide PD initiatives and helping strengthen a culture of continuous instructional improvement.

• The Dean of Academics will teach one course in their area of expertisemaintainingdirect connection to classroom practice and the student learning experience.

Curriculum Programs & Pathways

• Oversee and develop curriculum documentationincluding maps standards assessments and academic policy guides.

• Partner on the creation monitoring and refinement of academic pathways ensuring clarity coherence and appropriatechallengefor students.

• Collaborate with division directors on course offerings schedule planning needs and departmental growth.

• Lead interdisciplinary and cross-divisional initiatives that strengthen thestudentlearning experience.

Student Academic Progress Data & Support

• Monitor student academic progress using qualitative and quantitative dataidentifytrends and collaborate with teachers to coordinateappropriate adjustments.

• Support academic review processes and develop improvement or support plans in partnership with student support Center for Academic Excellence counselors and advisors.

• Partner with department chairs college counseling and division directors on student placement and scheduling decisions ensuring alignment between student needs course pathways instructional capacity and schoolwide academic standards.

Collaboration & Culture

• Maintain a strong visible academic presence in classrooms hallways and academic life.

• Partner with the academic leadership team to ensure a balanced and supportive student experience and to contribute instructional insight to faculty growth and evaluation processes.

• Serve on the Student Support Team Learning Leadership Team Academic Council and other academic committees.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in curriculum and instruction or educational leadershiprequired withdemonstratedexpertisein a core academic content area.

• Extensive secondary teaching experience (8-10 years) with instructional leadership or administrative experience preferred.

• Deep knowledge of adolescent learning academic systems instructional design and best practices in curriculum and assessment.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with students families and faculty.

• A reflective relational leader with intellectual curiosityhigh expectations and a growth mindset.

The Successful Candidate Will Be

• A true academic leader withexpertisein curriculum instruction and assessment.

• A highly effective secondary teacher who upholdshigh expectationswhile providing strong student-centered support.

• A visible presence who knows classrooms well and connects teachers across grades and disciplines.

• A systems-builder who brings coherence and clarity to the academic program.

• A mentor-coach who elevates teaching practice through trust insight and skill.

• A collaborative partner who supports teachers while holdinghigh standardsfor academic excellence.

• A champion of student learning who grounds academic decisions in what best advances student growth engagement and achievement.

Physical Requirements and ADA Statement

This role requires regular movement between classrooms and buildings participation in classroom observations and navigating indoor and outdoor spaces. The position also requires the ability to sit stand walk communicate clearlyoperatestandard technology and occasionallylift upto 2030 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Maclay School is an Equal Opportunity Employer andcomplies withall applicable federal state and local employment laws. Theschooldoes not discriminateon the basis ofrace color national origin age disability sex or actual or perceived gender identity consistent with the nondiscrimination standards outlined in our employee benefit and policy documents.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in curriculum and instruction or educational leadershiprequired withdemonstratedexpertisein a core academic content area.

• Extensive secondary teaching experience (8-10 years) with instructional leadership or administrative experience preferred.

• Deep knowledge of adolescent learning academic systems instructional design and best practices in curriculum and assessment.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with students families and faculty.

• A reflective relational leader with intellectual curiosityhigh expectations and a growth mindset.