Head of School

Elk Hill Farm Inc; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking non-profit organization dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of children and families. As the Head of School, you will create a nurturing environment that fosters educational success and emotional well-being. This role involves overseeing a dedicated team, managing school operations, and ensuring compliance with educational standards. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of youth in Central Virginia. If you are passionate about education and making a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Competitive benefits

Pet insurance

Generous time-off package

401(k) plan with 5% employer match

Tuition assistance

Qualifications

• Post-graduate licensure in education with special education endorsement required.
• Strong leadership skills and experience working with special education populations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and support teachers and counselors in daily operations.
• Manage school budget and maintain high standards for student care.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and training of staff.

Skills

Leadership

Special Education Experience

Communication

Education

Post-graduate professional teacher licensure in Virginia

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Would you like to work for a non-profit organization where your contributions make a major impact on the lives of children and families?

Elk Hill Farm, Inc. is looking for a Head of School for our Staunton School!

Elk Hill's private day schools prioritize individual student needs to enhance social and emotional well-being, enabling students to engage effectively with the academic curriculum. At Elk Hill, we believe every child is unique and deserves a secure, caring, and a safe environment to grow and mature. We provide intensive services tailored to students' social, emotional, and academic needs, utilizing specific strategies and tools to foster a sense of well-being. This approach ensures students are ready for blended learning opportunities, including computer-based, small group, and large group settings.

Elk Hill was honored as a 2025 Top Workplace USA and 2025 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace. These awards are based solely on employee feedback and recognize the great culture that exists at every level of the organization.

If you want to work for a Top Workplace USA and a Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace organization where your decisions can impact youth and families of Central Virginia, then Elk Hill Farm, Inc. is the place for you!

We are an organization that:

• Is honored as a 2025 Top Workplace USA and 2025 Richmond Times-Dispatch Top Workplace
• Is a Top Workplace Meaningfulness Award recipient
• Has talented, hardworking employees
• Advocates for mental health issues
• Offers competitive benefits, pay, and pet insurance for full-time staff
• Provides a generous time-off and holiday package
• Offers a 401(k) plan with a 5% employer match for full-time staff
• Provides tuition assistance
• Elk Hill is celebrating 50+ years of supporting youth and families across the Commonwealth of Virginia! Stability. Adaptability. Longevity.

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

To create and maintain an environment that will enable adolescents and their families to achieve educational goals and make positive changes in attitude, values, and behavior. Responsible for the daily operation of the school.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise Teachers, Counselors, IEP Coordinator and Dean of Students.
• Recruit, hire, and train Teachers, Counselors and other support staff.
• Manage and oversee school budget and maintenance.
• Maintain a high standard of student care and supervision during the school day.
• Lead the student application and admissions process for the school.
• Maintain budgeted student enrollment.
• Serve as positive role model for staff and students.
• Build positive, caring, healthy relationships with students.
• Work closely with referring agencies and parents, keeping them informed of school related matters and student progress both verbally and in progress reports.
• Make sure that the needs and concerns of the staff are effectively addressed.
• Represent Elk Hill at FAPT, VAISEF and other organizations, as requested.
• Attend IEP meetings as needed, and coordinate Transition/Discharge plans as well as wrap around services that Elk Hill and other agencies can provide to students with cooperation of IEP Coordinator.
• Model high professional standards in interactions with students, families, agency workers, and staff members.
• Work towards annual goals for personal and professional development.
• Work cooperatively with staff to improve the quality of the total program and ensure inclusive programming for youth.
• Work to promote an atmosphere of openness, honesty, and understanding among students, staff, and other Elk Hill colleagues.
• Assure that the school meets VDOE licensing and VAISEF accreditation standards.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence, motivation, and commitment to educational programming, staff cooperation and development, and student success.
• Maintain knowledge of all curriculum materials for the school.
• Designate an individual to be VAISEF representative for the school.
• Responsible for the annual evaluations of the dean of students, IEP coordinator, teachers and school counselor.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance to all laws and regulations applicable to all operations of the school.
• Responsible for assuring the facility meets state and local standards regarding sanitation.
• Responsible for coordinating the implementation of transportation policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.

MINIMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

• Post-graduate professional teacher licensure in Virginia with an endorsement in ED, LD, Special Education-General Curriculum, or Administration and Supervision
• Leadership abilities
• Experience with special education population

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is at the forefront of what we do at Elk Hill, and we enforce respectful communication and cooperation between all. Elk Hill does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. It is the policy of Elk Hill to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for Elk Hill. Contact Human Resources for more information.

** Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities or actions may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Elk Hill Farm, Inc. reserves the right to change or reassign job duties or combine positions at any time.**