Mount Paran Christian School (MPCS) seeks a Head of Lower School who is a dynamic, Christ-centered, knowledgeable academic leader with a growth mindset. This position provides a talented servant-leader with the remarkable opportunity to join with committed Christian leaders to impact the world for Christ.
Founded in 1976, and as evidenced by its current accreditations, MPCS has earned the reputation as a leader among independent Christian Schools in the metro Atlanta area. Reporting to the Head of School, the Head of Lower School will be a relational, hands-on, spiritual and academic leader, advocating for students and staff while promoting parental involvement and encouraging community responsibility. The Head of Lower School must communicate effectively, delegate responsibly, track and report student achievement accurately, and develop meaningful curriculum and programs successfully.
As a member of both the Academic and Executive Councils, the Head of Lower School will serve in cooperation with the leadership team on policies, procedures, and topics that affect the members of MPCS at large. This leader will represent the lower school within the broader school community, endorsing best practices to ensure seamless transitions between all school divisions. The Lower School Head will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how lower school students learn and their unique spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and academic needs.
MPCS seeks in its next Head of Lower School as a vibrant and impressive individual who is professional, approachable, and compassionate, with exceptional listening as well as oral and written communication skills. The ideal candidate will be a proven administrator who emanates a Christ-like spirit, resolve, sense of humor, and personal warmth. The candidate must have the organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for working with involved parents, highly qualified faculty, and a diverse population of learners.
• Devotedly implement the MPCS mission
• Oversee and lead the daily operation of the lower school
• Manage the budget for the lower school
• Conduct faculty meetings and assist in planning and leading professional development with the Academic Council
• Manage the hiring, evaluation, and assessment process for all lower school personnel
• Engage in the admission process by leading tours, interviewing prospective students and families, and attending community events
• Work with the development office to support initiatives
• Create long-lasting, deep relationships with all students, parents, and faculty and staff
• Perform other duties as required by the Head of School
• A passionate Christ-follower who is eager to pray for and with students, faculty, and parents
• A servant-leader who leads by example in his/her service to others
• A professional who can oversee various projects simultaneously and remain thoughtful about complex topics
• A collaborator who propels others to bring about desired results
• A leader who is innovative and open to change
• Previous lower school administrative leadership and/or classroom teaching experience preferred
• A master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field is required; advanced degrees are preferred
• A confident and charismatic public speaker
• Experienced mentor of faculty and staff
• An irreproachable history of working with a spectrum of constituents, including parents, students, faculty, staff, and donors
• Intellectual acumen and open-minded approach to educational modalities
• The ability to interact comfortably with a diverse group of people
• Technologically savvy
• An expert on adolescent development and the nature of a lower school student
• A forward-thinking team player who keeps the entire school’s best interest in mind
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must lift and/or move 25 pounds, and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, lift, carry, move about, hear, and speak.
• A covenant Christian school integrating prayer, biblical teaching, chapel, and servant-leadership
• Beautiful 68-acre campus with historic cabin, lake, mountain view, and gated perimeter
• State-of-the-art arts center, expansive sports fields, stadium, indoor athletic training facility, tennis courts, batting cages, two gymnasiums, multiple playgrounds, and two media centers
• Accredited by Cognia, SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) and a member of CESA (Council on Educational Standards and Accountability), ACSA (Atlanta Christian School Association), GISA (Georgia Independent School Association), and NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)
• Approximate enrollment of 1,300 students in grades PK3-12 with 27% ethnic diversity.Â
• All faculty and staff are active Christ-followers. More than 60% of MPCS faculty hold advanced degrees in their field and more than half of lower school faculty are gifted-certified.
• In high school, 56 honors and AP courses are offered, including Project Lead The Way®
. 85% of AP students scored a 3+ on exams
• Proven test results: SAT Middle 50% = 1170-1260 (top score 1460), ACT Middle 50% = 23-28 (top score 34)
• The class of 2022 was accepted to more than 85 colleges and universities including: Baylor, Duke, Georgia (53% acceptance rate), Georgia Tech (40% acceptance rate), Howard, Penn State, Purdue, Lee, Michigan, North Carolina, Northwestern, Tulane, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest
• 17 National Merit Scholar Finalists/Scholars and 32 Governor’s Honors Program SemI-Finalists/Participants
• Competing in the Metro 10 middle school league and GHSA athletics, MPC boasts 62 teams in 16 sports (including fishing and esports)
• 33 GHSA State championships including baseball, basketball, football, softball, volleyball, track and field, individual titles, and 10 consecutive competition cheer titles
• Average of 16% of student-athletes sign to play collegiate-level sports
• More than 110 annual arts performances by grades PK3-12
• Dozier School of the Arts magnet program
• Approximately 85% parent participation in Annual Fund