Founding Head of School

JRA Academy; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

JRA Academy seeks its founding Head of School to lead the launch of a new classical independent school opening in 2027. This pre-launch role invites you to shape institutional culture, assemble the team, enroll the first families, and establish the systems and traditions that will guide the academy for years to come.

The Head will serve as the school’s first chief executive and educational leader, accountable for academics, faculty recruitment, enrollment, operations, and financial stewardship,

Job description

The client seeks nominations and applications for its founding Head of School to lead the launch of a new classical independent school currently in development. This pre-launch role offers the opportunity to build the school from the ground up, joining at the earliest and most consequential stage to shape institutional culture, assemble the team, enroll the first families, and establish the systems, practices, and traditions that will guide the academy for years to come. The school's planned opening is in 2027, with initial service at the K-2 level and a long-term vision for thoughtful growth and expansion.

The founding Head of School will serve as the school's first chief executive and educational leader, responsible for positioning the academy for long-term growth while advancing its launch ahead of the planned opening. Working in close coordination with The client's board, the Head will be accountable for major early operational and academic dimensions, including academics, faculty and staff recruitment, enrollment, operations, financial stewardship, culture, and community engagement. The Head will also partner with the board and an educational network to finalize and implement the K-2 academic program, ensuring fidelity to the principles and methodologies of classical education and direct instruction.

The academy will uphold ideals centered on wisdom, character, knowledge, and affordability, aiming to provide a rigorous classical education rooted in the Judeo-Christian intellectual tradition, with a flexible religious component for interested families. Faculty excellence, academic rigor, and a commitment to high moral character are expected to define the institution. This hands-on founding role requires both strategic perspective and disciplined execution, with the ability to balance envisioning the future with attending to practical details, making decisions with imperfect information, and knowing when to seek counsel.