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Head of School Opportunity New York, NY Town is an independent coeducational day school serving approximately 400 children from Nursery 3s through Grade A warm, inclusive, diverse, and values-centered school community, Town is dedicated to excellence in academics balanced with an emphasis on joy, nurture, innovation, and character development Since 1913, Town has fostered the educational principle of “Joy with Purpose” by blending both tradition and innovation in order to provide young students with an engaging educational experience designed to inspire creativity, curiosity, and healthy risk taking. Town’s challenging academic program and supportive environment prepare students to thrive as confident learners in high school and beyond. As one recent graduate noted, “Town is a place where I always felt safe and learned how to learn. I was completely prepared for everything that followed Town, and to this day my Town teachers are household names. It was a family environment that made me feel unafraid to challenge myself.” Located along the East River on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Town’s beautiful and well‐maintained facilities support a rich program of academics, arts, and athletics. For a position to begin in July of 2018, The Town School is seeking a strategically minded educational leader who will wholeheartedly embrace the school’s mission and educational philosophy while moving Town forward with wisdom and energy APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 6, 2017 GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE TOWN SCHOOL MISSION The Town School is committed to elementary co‐education, serving students in nursery through eighth grade. As we embrace high academic and ethical standards for each student, we are guided by our school motto, “Let There Be Joy in Learning.” Town’s program balances the traditional and the innovative, emphasizing excellence in academics and a thorough exposure to the arts and physical education. We teach children to think creatively, read critically, and reason logically, stressing the value of both individual learning and collaboration. We are committed to diversity, teaching students to be inclusive and to respect themselves and others. Students leave Town as well‐rounded, articulate, resilient, and morally responsible individuals. They are prepared to meet the challenges of a demanding secondary education and continue on the path of lifelong learning. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY The process of learning is as important as the result. Town builds on children’s natural curiosity and creativity, helping them discover and celebrate their strengths. In our nurturing and supportive environment, we challenge each student to take risks and persevere. The program enables students to experience success, increase self‐confidence and develop individuality. Faculty and parents collaborate in support of each child’s growth. Town students develop social awareness through age‐appropriate service within the school and the community at large. Town’s focus on elementary education enables students to exercise personal responsibility and to confidently assume leadership roles as they learn to become involved citizens of the world. SELF, OTHERS, AND SURROUNDINGS (S.O.S.): TAKING CARE OF TOWN Moral development and awareness are critical components for our students’ success. Self‐Others‐Surroundings (S.O.S.) is our mission‐based ethical code infused in everyday life at Town. Self: Try your best. Persevere and keep working through challenges. Develop your independence. Be honest. Be responsible. Others: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be respectful. Be inclusive. Be helpful. Treat others fairly. Surroundings: Clean up after yourself. Conserve and do not waste. Respect property. 2 THE SCHOOL AT A GLANCE AFFILIATIONS PHYSICAL PLANT ACCREDITATION: LOCATION: 65,000‐square‐foot facility on Manhattan’s New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) MEMBER: National Association of Independent Schools Upper East Side, adjacent to the East River and John Jay Park FACILITIES: 18,000‐volume library, state‐of‐the‐art science ENROLLMENT AND FINANCIAL AID 2017–18 ENROLLMENT: NURSERY-KINDERGARTEN: LOWER SCHOOL (1–4): UPPER SCHOOL (5–8): STUDENTS OF COLOR: TUITION (ALL-INCLUSIVE): FINANCIAL AID: and technology labs, a 188‐seat auditorium, full‐sized gym, arts wing, and three play terraces 398 77 169 152 FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT 36% $32,200–$45,900 $2.5 million aiding 19% of students OPERATING BUDGET: ENDOWMENT: INDEBTEDNESS: ANNUAL GIVING FUNDS RAISED: AVERAGE FACULTY TENURE AT TOWN: 114 70 75% 8 years FACULTY/STAFF OF COLOR: 34% FULL-TIME FACULTY: FACULTY WITH ADVANCED DEGREE: TOTAL FUNDS RAISED, 2016–17: FACULTY AND STAFF TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: ANNUAL GIVING PARTICIPATION: $21 million $41 million None $1.3 million $1.2 million 91% parent, 100% faculty/staff, 100% Trustee ON THE WEB: www.thetownschool.org DEFINING STRENGTHS AND UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF THE TOWN SCHOOL The Town School occupies a unique and essential niche in the New York City independent school marketplace. Its coeducational N–8 configuration allows the school to focus all of its curricular and financial efforts on meeting the needs of students from ages 3 to 14 without the complexities and distractions that come with having a high school. It allows students to find their voices and become active partners in their educational journey. The school’s balanced approach builds the foundation for academic excellence through joyful experiences and expression, setting the stage for realizing Town’s focus on “Joy with Purpose.” Above all, Town’s intentional approach to the creation of a community formed around shared values sets this remarkable school apart. Town is a school where educational philosophy translates directly into daily life. Even a casual visitor can see the schoolʹs philosophy living in the child‐centered conversations about learning, in the innovation in the classrooms, and in the academic achievement of the children. It is a school where the educational philosophy is palpable in an environment in which different perspectives are deeply valued and cultivated. At Town, children not only learn skills but also become confident young adults. 3 STUDENTS The Town School seeks to attract families who understand and embrace the school’s well‐articulated mission and philosophy. While Town enrolls families from throughout New York City, more than three‐quarters of the students are currently drawn from the Upper East Side of Manhattan. With many students arriving each day on foot and by scooter, Town has the feel of a neighborhood school. One parent described it as “an oasis on the Upper East Side for nice, down‐to‐earth families.” Shuttle buses transport students to and from the nearest subway stop at Lexington Avenue and from locations on the Upper West Side. Town is committed to enrolling a student body that is diverse across many dimensions. A $2.5 million financial aid budget is providing tuition assistance to 19 percent of the student body this year, with additional funds available for ancillary expenses families might incur, thereby enabling all families to avail themselves of the rich program that Town offers its students. Additionally, 36 percent of students this year identify as people of color, a 77 percent increase since 2006. The admissions office places a high priority on widening the pool of applicants through extensive outreach via school fairs, advertising, forging relationships with preschools, and working with organizations committed to diversity in independent schools. Well prepared academically, ethically, and socially for the next step in their educational journey, Town graduates are welcomed to the city’s top independent high schools. A few each year choose to attend boarding schools and, occasionally, New York City’s specialized high schools. FACULTY AND STAFF Town’s creative, expert, and dedicated faculty and staff lie at the heart of the school’s success. Founded by an educator and directed by faculty for much of its early history, Town retains a culture that highly values teaching and collegiality. In fact, Town’s Board of Trustees has publicly committed to providing compensation in the top quartile of peer schools for administrators, faculty, and staff. The presence of co‐ teachers in N‐K – 4th grade homerooms and a full complement of subject and learning specialists spanning all grades enhances collaboration. Regular faculty meetings encourage connections across divisions and departments. Faculty in all grades use a guidance model with regular meetings that enable all faculty and relevant staff to meet and review the progress of each student. An overall student:teacher ratio of 6:1 promotes close relationships with students and their families. Experienced and well‐educated (three‐quarters hold an advanced degree), Town’s teachers are wholeheartedly committed to professional development. All participate in growth opportunities on and off campus during the school year, and more than 80 percent take advantage of Town’s well‐funded summer grant program that supports curricular projects, classes, and travel connected to the curriculum. 4 ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE Head of School Tony Featherston joined Town in 2012 and has worked closely with the senior administrative team, which includes the Heads of the three divisions, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Admissions, the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Community and Diversity, and the Dean of Faculty/Director of Curricular Innovation. Also reporting to the Head of School are the Director of Security and Facilities, the Athletics Director, the Director of Technology, the Auxiliary Programs Directors, and the Head’s Assistant. The Dean of Faculty/Director of Curricular Innovation reports to the three Division Heads. Town is governed by a well‐functioning 23‐member Board of Trustees composed primarily of current and past parents as well as the Head of School. Two faculty Trustees are nominated by the Faculty Committee, a self‐perpetuating, senior group of faculty that acts as an advisory group to the Head of School. The faculty Trustees are elected by the full Board and are full voting members. The President of the Parents’ Association serves as an ex officio member. Trustees typically serve two three‐year terms. Accomplishing much of its work through 12 committees that meet regularly, the full Board convenes six times a year. The Board communicates regularly with the school community, including an annual State of the School presentation for parents. FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT Financially healthy and conservatively managed, The Town School maintains a balanced budget and is debt free. The school’s endowment was established in 1985 with the proceeds of the sale of air rights to an adjacent high‐rise condominium. That original $7 million corpus, wisely invested and augmented over the years through periodic capital campaigns, has now grown to $41 million. This financial strength sets Town apart from many of its peers and enables the Head and the Board of Trustees to evaluate and pursue bold initiatives to advance the mission of the school. Town’s development efforts have been consistently successful. The last capital campaign was successfully completed in 2011, raising more than $8.5 million. Annual giving enjoys broad support from all constituencies, with year‐over‐ year increases in giving since 2008. The Director of Institutional Advancement oversees a four‐person Advancement Office. Over the past few years, the office has undertaken a major communications and branding initiative, resulting in the development of a full suite of attractive publications and a redesigned website. Building upon the school’s longstanding motto, Let There Be Joy in Learning, the school has adopted the tagline, “Joy with Purpose.” 5 LOCATION AND FACILITIES The Town School is located on a tree‐lined cul‐de‐sac across the street from John Jay Park at 540 East 76th Street, overlooking the East River. Situated in its current location since 1962, the school has continually expanded and upgraded its facilities. The unified campus is safe, beautiful, clean, well‐appointed, and superbly maintained. A long‐term capital plan is in place to guide improvements through 2020. A comfortable lobby welcomes students and visitors. Light‐filled classrooms, many with river views, include recently renovated state‐of‐the‐art science and technology labs. The 18,000‐volume library lies at the heart of the school. The vibrant arts program is well served by a modern theater and an arts wing that includes dance space and a pottery kiln. A full‐sized gym and three play terraces provide appealing spaces for daily recess and physical education. The Upper School utilizes several outside facilities for physical education and athletics, including Randall’s Island fields, Asphalt Green/Aqua Center, and Sportime Tennis. Town’s emphasis on sustainability is longstanding and comprehensive. In 2008, partnering with The Green Schools Alliance, Town made the commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 30 percent in five years, a goal it easily surpassed in less than four years with an improvement of almost 70 percent. In 2012, Town installed a wind turbine on its fourth‐floor play roof, the first at a New York City school. Solar panels help provide energy for the science labs. A member since 2014 of the Sterling Planet Green Power Consortium, Town in 2015 and 2016 was named to the EPA’s list of the top 30 K‐12 schools nationally for its use of green power. In keeping with the school’s commitment to diversity, two independent, community‐focused nonprofits make their home at Town: Breakthrough New York, which aspires to transform the lives of motivated, low‐income students by preparing them for college graduation, and Early Steps, an organization devoted to promoting racial diversity within New York City independent schools by increasing the enrollment of children of color at the Kindergarten and first grade levels. 6 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM The Town School offers a dynamic and creative curriculum that develops essential academic skills while encouraging students to be curious, creative, collaborative, and persistent. Critical thinking, clarity of expression, and a passion for inquiry are fostered across the divisions through curricular units that expose students to multiple perspectives and the foundational skills upon which they will build throughout their educational careers. For a detailed look at the educational program, peruse the school’s informative website: www.thetownschool.org. Here are a few highlights: harvesting, and farm chores while promoting class bonding. NURSERY–KINDERGARTEN Division serves 16 children in Nursery 3, 18 in Nursery 4, and two sections of Kindergarten with 22 students in each. There are two co‐head teachers and an associate teacher in each class. Nursery program is project‐based and designed to provide a healthy balance of academics and play. Beginning in Kindergarten, subjects are taught as specific disciplines. UPPER SCHOOL (GRADES 5–8) Academic program is fully departmentalized. Faculty advisors work with groups of 10 students to oversee academic, social, and emotional well‐ being of each student. Co‐teachers in each class are supported by subject, learning, and literacy specialists and a school psychologist. Curriculum‐related trips include visits in grades 5–7 to Nature’s Classroom environmental education center and 8th grade social studies excursion to Washington, D.C. Three‐ and four‐day trips to the Manhattan Country School Farm in the Catskill Mountains in grades 3 and 4 teach children about planting, As school leaders, Upper School students run student government, plan assemblies, and organize community service projects. Students pursue French or Spanish for four years; Latin instruction begins in 7th grade. World languages are introduced in Nursery, with formal Spanish instruction beginning in Kindergarten. LOWER SCHOOL (GRADES 1-4) 7 Spanish is offered in grades 1–3. In grade 4, students take a half‐year each of French and Spanish in preparation for choosing a language in Upper School. Comprehensive high school placement program begins in 7th grade and includes Decisions classes for 8th‐graders, practice interviews with the Head and others, panel discussions with recent alumni/ae, and frequent communication with parents and students in individual and group settings. 8th Grade Capstone Project features a speaker series, self‐reflection and design thinking exercises, and student presentations, emphasizing “Passion with Purpose.” Dramatic performances take place in each grade from Kindergarten on, including fully‐produced musicals in grades 4 and 8. Ensemble options include chorus, chamber music, dance, percussion, and guitar. Monthly all‐school assemblies feature individual and collective student performances, often with the enthusiastic participation of both faculty and staff, and visits by professional artists. ATHLETICS AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical education classes are offered twice a week in N–K, three times a week in Lower School, and four times a week in Upper School. No‐cut interscholastic offerings in Upper School include coed soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and track and field. THE ARTS The arts are thoroughly integrated in all divisions. Specialists in studio art, dance, drama, and music deliver a broad curriculum in every grade. 1,250 pieces of student art are on display throughout the school. CULTURE AND COMMUNITY To an extent not typically seen in independent schools, Town’s core values are articulated and seamlessly integrated into the educational program and the daily life of the school. Asked to describe Town’s signature strengths, members of all constituencies point to Taking Care of Town: Self, Others, Surroundings (S.O.S.), a school‐wide code of ethics that emphasizes both individual effort and caring for others. As one member of the Board of Trustees noted, “Town has stayed grounded. In a city and a world that has become less supportive, less compassionate, and less of a community, Town has doubled down on its commitment to thinking differently. Members of the Town community listen to each other, respect each other, and put the needs of children first.” As part of the Strategic Vision developed by the school’s leaders in 2013–14, the following were identified as key values: community, excellence, nurture, and innovation. Other vital elements of the culture include the following: DIVERSITY In the belief that a diverse school community is essential to the development of a culture of respect, social awareness, moral responsibility, and academic excellence, Town has taken a multifaceted approach to promoting, embracing, and exploring diversity. The Director of Community and Diversity spearheads the school’s efforts, which include affinity groups for students, parents, and faculty, as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff. The Diversity Committee of the Board of Trustees works closely with the Head and Director of Community and Diversity in reviewing school policies and initiatives related to diversity. Recognizing that the topic of diversity is complex and 8 ever evolving, the school has begun work on an updated diversity statement and recently introduced a gender‐neutral dress code. Diversity themes run through the curriculum at every grade level, beginning in the N–K Division with an exploration of each student’s identity. In the early grades, students explore the culture and history of New York City. Language arts, history, and civilization classes cover themes of cultural development and civil rights. In Life Skills classes, older students wrestle with issues of race, gender, class, sexuality, discrimination, and social justice, and begin to think about their potential roles as agents of change. COMMUNITY ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY Throughout their Town School careers, students engage in grade‐ specific and school‐wide projects that meet real and specific needs of the communities they learn about in school, allowing them to put into practice the academic skills and knowledge they are developing in class. To benefit their community, students collect coats, pack meals, clean up local parks, and raise funds for important causes. Town also offers opportunities each year for the entire community – students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae families – to work together in support of a service project. In addition to its facilities initiatives related to energy conservation, Town encourages a continual focus on waste reduction and sustainable living. Food for daily snacks and lunches is sourced from local farms, and the newly installed, student‐maintained vertical garden provides salad greens. Town participates in New York City’s organic waste collection program, composting food and paper goods. A leader among peer schools in New York City, Town last year hosted students, teachers, and parents from 15 schools for the second annual NYSAIS Sustainability in School Communities Conference through Student Voices Conference. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Throughout the school year, cherished events and traditions help to draw the community together. Parents are encouraged to participate actively in the life of the school and to reinforce the values it espouses. The monthly All‐ School Assembly gathers together students, faculty, staff, and parents for remarks from the Head of School, community reflections, and student performances. The assemblies are widely attended by parents (which is rare for New York independent schools) and are livestreamed for the benefit of parents who cannot attend. The Parents’ Association, to which all parents belong, helps to foster healthy communication between home and school to integrate families into the community and sponsors a variety of community building events and initiatives. TownFest, an autumn block party, kicks off the school year. An All‐School Picnic, a Book Fair, Grandparents and Special Visitors Day, and the All‐School Graduation celebration at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center also serve to further the spirit of community and kindness that characterizes the school. NEW YORK CITY As one of the world’s great multicultural cities and cultural meccas, Town’s New York City location constitutes an integral component of the school’s ethos. The city’s resources provide myriad ways to enrich Town’s program by sparking critical and creative thinking outside of the classroom. Each spring, for example, the Upper School heads out on trips all over New York City’s five boroughs for Explore New York, a day devoted to cross‐grade field trips led by faculty. Through hands‐on engagement with city neighborhoods, artists, musicians, architecture, historic sights, and food, students learn to embrace all that the city has to offer. Town is located on the Upper East Side, an historic, elegant, and vibrant neighborhood that is home to many of the city’s premier museums, restaurants, and shops, as well as Central Park and Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor. 9 THE OPPORTUNITY: HEAD OF SCHOOL, THE TOWN SCHOOL The next Head of The Town School will inherit a school that is in excellent shape by nearly every measure. Its mission and values are clear and compelling. Wonderful students and a topnotch faculty and staff create a vibrant environment for learning. The educational program is sound and engaging. Demand for the Town experience is strong, and parents are enthusiastic advocates. For an educational leader who shares Town’s educational philosophy, this is truly an exceptional career opportunity. This is not, however, a school inclined to rest on its laurels. Thoughtful innovation is prized here, and the community will welcome a bold leader who will ask the right questions and push for healthy change. The next Head of School will have the opportunity to work with all stakeholders to develop a vision and strategies for the next phase in Town’s evolution. Among the specific opportunities and challenges awaiting the next leader are the following: EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION For more than 100 years, Town has blended tradition and innovation in pursuit of an educational program that successfully delivers both academic excellence and joy in learning. Parents enthusiastically support Town’s commitment to fostering joy. They also are eager to see Town maintain an academic program that takes full advantage of proven technologies and curricular innovations and that is sufficiently rigorous to prepare students for success in high school and college. Employing the Understanding by Design framework, the faculty is undertaking a thorough, subject‐by‐subject curriculum review designed to ensure that the educational program is informed by research and best practices. Ideally, the next Head of School will be a visionary educational leader who can contribute helpful insights in this process while wholeheartedly embracing Town’s mission and philosophy. Because the success of the educational program rests on exceptional teaching, the Head of School must also be committed to uniformly high standards in faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation. 10 DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Town’s strategic priorities include the active cultivation of a school culture that is diverse, inclusive, and supportive of all. The next Head of School should enthusiastically support this work, encouraging reflection and dialogue as the school continues to explore policies and programs that embrace differences in identity, experiences, backgrounds, beliefs, and ideas. ENROLLMENT AND MARKETING An increasingly competitive educational marketplace poses new challenges for Town. Faced with rapidly escalating independent school tuitions and a consistently high cost of living, many parents in New York City are now more open to considering public school options for early and middle school education. New York City’s current initiative to offer free universal preschool for 3‐year‐olds will likely also affect demand for Town’s (and other independent schools’) Nursery Program. To address these concerns, the next Head will need to champion the virtues of the N–8 independent school model, developing strategies and compelling messages to articulate Town’s unique strengths for both prospective and current families. Ensuring that the school’s exmissions processes remain first‐rate will be a top priority, as well. INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT With a healthy endowment and no debt, planning for the next capital campaign will require the development of a compelling case for giving among the school’s parents and alumni/ae. Working with the Board of Trustees and the Advancement Office, the new Head will be called upon to define an exciting vision and inspiring goals. While the school’s facilities are in excellent shape, all of the available space is being fully utilized. As new program requirements emerge, Town may need to secure additional space or rethink its current configuration. WHO SHOULD APPLY? The headship of The Town School represents an extraordinary career opportunity for a creative educational leader who demonstrates warmth, approachability, kindness, a caring spirit, and an appealing sense of humor. Town is committed to building a broadly diverse community and encourages applications from a diverse pool of candidates. Compensation will be highly competitive and may include a housing allowance. Ideally, Town’s next leader will be: A visionary and strategically oriented leader whose educational philosophy and personal values are consistent with the mission and culture of The Town School. A well‐credentialed and experienced educator who is passionate about the unique benefits of the N–8 configuration and knowledgeable about best practices in the education of children and young adolescents. A warm and engaging leader who will relish the opportunity to forge personal connections with the school family, including greeting children and their parents at the front door. An open‐minded leader who embraces diversity and inclusion as essential elements of a well‐rounded education. A compelling speaker and writer. An encouraging leader who will inspire and motivate faculty and staff. A talented school administrator with solid management skills, the ability to implement strategic goals and initiatives, and the willingness to lead institutional advancement efforts, including marketing and fundraising. A leader who understands and will thrive in the competitive New York City independent school world. 11 With the support of a dedicated Board, a deeply committed faculty and staff, and an engaged parent body, the next Head of School will be exceptionally well positioned to support and further the mission of The Town School. Town’s financial strength (debt free with a balanced budget and substantial endowment) sets it apart from its peers and offers the next Head of School a unique opportunity to take Town forward with bold and decisive action. ANTICIPATED SEARCH CALENDAR Application deadline: December 6, 2017 Selection of semifinalists: December 20, 2017 Semifinalist interviews: January 6–7, 2018 Finalist visits: January/February 2018 Appointment: February 2018 Starting date: July 2018 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SEARCH PROCESS Acting on behalf of The Town School, Wickenden Associates is actively recruiting outstanding leaders for this exceptional opportunity. The lead consultants are Laura Hansen (lhansen@wickenden.com) and Linda Knights (lknights@wickenden.com). Both may be reached at (609) 683‐1355. Candidates should submit no later than Wednesday, December 6, 2017, an application package including the following: A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position. A current résumé. A statement of educational philosophy. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.) Optional: Other supporting material (e.g., articles, speeches, or letters of recommendation) that would be useful to the Search Committee. These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to searches@wickenden.com. After an initial review of applicants, the Search Committee will interview selected candidates over the weekend of January 6–7, 2018. Shortly thereafter, finalists will be invited to Town for a more comprehensive series of interviews. An appointment is anticipated by February 2018. Wickenden Associates will keep all applicants informed of their status throughout the process. 1000 Herrontown Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-7716 Tel: (609) 683-1355 www.wickenden.com searches@wickenden.com Fax: (609) 683-1351