Assistant Head of Lower School

Lower School; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Charlotte Country Day School seeks an Assistant Head of Lower School to advance the mission through student life, instructional leadership, and faculty development. This senior leader reports to the Head of Lower School and collaborates with the Directors of Studies and Admissions to maintain a coherent K-5 program.

The role emphasizes inclusive practices, curriculum alignment, teacher mentoring, and coordination with upper grades.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education or related field.
• 5–10 years teaching experience, lower school preferred.
• Leadership roles in education such as chair, dean, or division head.
• Experience with curriculum development and instructional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a seniorLower School leader and strategic partner to the Head of Lower School.
• Provide leadership continuity and operational oversight.
• Oversee student life and behavior to promote community.
• Support development, supervision, and onboarding of assistant teachers.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and foster a positive climate.
• Lead curriculum development, alignment, assessment, and program coherence.
• Communicate with parents and faculty to strengthen partnerships.
• Collaborate on strategic planning and daily school operations.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty for teaching excellence.
• Coordinate with Upper/Middle School for JK-12 alignment.
• Support admissions, outreach, and school communications.
• Help with accreditation and institutional improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum leadership

Student life

Faculty supervision

Hiring & onboarding

Communication

Collaboration

Professional development

Diversity, equity, inclusion

Education

Master’s degree in Education

Job description

Assistant Head of Lower School

Charlotte Country Day School Lower School - Charlotte, North Carolina

Job Details

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Position Type: Full-Time Exempt

Job Description

CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Position Title: Assistant Head of Lower School

Department: Lower School

Reports To: Head of Lower School

FLSA: Exempt

Mission Statement

Through excellence in education, Charlotte Country Day School develops the potential of each student by fostering intellectual curiosity, principled character, ethical leadership, and a responsibility to serve.

Overview

Charlotte Country Day School (Country Day) is one of the largest independent, co‑educational schools in the Charlotte area and one of the 15 largest in the continental United States. Enrollment is very strong, and the school is thriving. Highly regarded for the rigor of its academic program and the breadth of its offerings in the arts, athletics, community service, and leadership, Country Day is noteworthy for a long tradition of positioning itself at the forefront of curricular innovation.

A strong, forward‑thinking institution, Country Day offers every child a chance to shine. The school is a diverse, inclusive community with strong academic and co‑curricular programs designed for students to learn to think critically, act respectfully, and show sensitivity to the feelings and needs of others. The unique curriculum offered by Country Day prepares and strengthens students for participation in their local and global communities. With its focus on diversity, service, global study, and technology, Country Day positions students for future success in an ever‑changing world. Country Day is committed to living as an authentic, inclusive community. Our pursuit of this commitment to community recognizes and affirms the richness brought by difference and discovered through commonality.

Position Summary: The Assistant Head of Lower School is a senior leadership position at the lower school responsible for advancing the school’s mission through student life, instructional leadership, faculty development, and a deep commitment to the academic, social and emotional growth of lower school student learners. Reporting to the Head of Lower School, the Assistant Head works collaboratively with the Head of Lower School, Director of Studies, and others on the Administrative Team to ensure a coherent, developmentally responsive Lower School program and serves as the primary school leader in the Head of Lower School’s absence.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a senior Lower School leader and strategic partner to the Head of Lower School in advancing the mission, values, and strategic priorities of the school.
• Act on behalf of the Head of Lower School as needed, providing leadership continuity and operational oversight.
• Oversee student life, including student behavior to promote accountability and community.
• Work with Head of Lower School to support, develop and supervise the assistant teachers.
• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion e??orts and foster a positive school climate and staff
• Model ethical leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to inclusive practices and community belonging.
• Collaborate with the Head of Lower School and Director of Studies to support curriculum development, vertical and horizontal alignment, assessment practices, and program coherence.
• Communicate and collaborate proactively and constructively with parents and faculty to strengthen partnerships in support of student learning and well‑being.
• Collaborate with the Head of Lower School on strategic planning, policy implementation, and daily school operations.
• Build strong relationships with students and maintain a visible, engaged presence in the Lower School.
• Help to coordinate programs with Upper School and Middle School to foster better alignment JK-12.
• Work with the Head of Lower School on faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and professional growth in alignment with independent school best practices.
• Collaborate with grade coordinators on school and grade level initiatives.
• Observe, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty to promote excellence in teaching and learning.
• Provide instructional leadership grounded in research and child development.
• Partner with admissions and advancement colleagues to support enrollment efforts, admissions events, and school communications as appropriate.
• Support accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and continuous school improvement initiatives.

MINIMUM ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree required or strongly preferred in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of teaching experience, with significant lower school experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate leadership experience in roles such as department chair, grade‑level leader, dean, assistant principal, or division‑leader administrator.
• Experience with:
• Student life support systems and programs
• Faculty supervision, coaching, and evaluation
• Faculty hiring and onboarding
• Curriculum development and instructional leadership
• Experience in an independent school setting is preferred.
• Demonstrate understanding of child development and lower school philosophy.
• Commitment to ongoing professional growth, collaboration, and reflective practice.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively across departments and constituencies.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Charlotte Country Day School will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Country Day does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Requirements

• Master degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Warren Sepkowitz , Head of Lower School
• Lower School
• Email: [e-mail]