Head of School

Southern Association of Independent Schools, Inc.; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement benefits

Disability and life insurance

Professional development support

Relocation assistance

Job summary

University School of the Lowcountry in Mount Pleasant, SC seeks a Head of School to provide decisive leadership that honors academic excellence and experiential learning. The role leads three divisions, guides curriculum and faculty, and sustains mission-driven programs in a close-knit community.

Strong candidates will have advanced degrees, senior independent-school leadership experience, and a track record in enrollment management and fundraising.

Qualifications

• Experience leading independent schools with strong curriculum oversight.
• Proven ability to recruit and develop faculty and sustain programs.
• Strong communication with families, students, and communities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief academic and executive leader across three divisions.
• Recruit, develop, and retain outstanding faculty and ensure individualized attention.
• Champion experiential programs and civics initiatives for students.
• Foster a warm, mission-driven school culture and community partnerships.
• Elevate the school's visibility and manage enrollment strategies.
• Oversee financial operations, sustainability, and advancement efforts.
• Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Curriculum oversight

Enrollment management

Education

Master's in education

Doctorate preferred

Job description

HEAD OF SCHOOL

University School of the Lowcountry | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Grades 3–12 Independent, Non-Sectarian Day School Full-Time, On-Site

About the School

University School of the Lowcountry (USL) is an independent, non-sectarian day school in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, serving approximately 70 high‑achieving students in grades 3–12. Founded in 2007, USL has grown from six students into a close‑knit three‑division community (Discover Intermediate, Middle, and Upper School) known for pairing rigorous academics with intensive experiential learning. With a 6:1 student‑teacher ratio, an award‑winning faculty (including three South Carolina Teachers of the Year), and signature programs — Learning Outside the Classroom, Civics and Citizenship, Exploration of Faiths, and dual‑language studies — USL was named the #1 private high school in the Charleston area by Niche for 2026. The school is SCISA‑accredited and holds NAIS and PAIS membership.

The Opportunity

The Board of Directors seeks a new Head of School to preserve and deepen USL's academically excellent, experiential, and deeply personal approach to education, while providing steady, inspiring leadership for the school's next chapter. This search follows a community‑wide survey of parents, alumni, and faculty — their clear message: sustain USL's excellent teaching above all, within the intimate, mission‑driven community that defines the school.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as chief academic and executive leader, holding uncompromising standards for teaching quality across all three divisions.

• Recruit, develop, and retain outstanding faculty, and ensure personalized, whole‑child attention for every student.

• Champion and evolve USL's signature experiential programs, civics initiatives, and global/leadership opportunities for students.

• Nurture USL's warm, tight‑knit second family culture, and build trust and authentic partnership across families, faculty, and alumni.

• Elevate USL's visibility and reputation in the Mount Pleasant/Charleston community and beyond.

• Lead enrollment strategy, financial operations and sustainability, and advancement/development efforts.

• Partner transparently with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, governance, and long‑range vision.

Qualifications

• A genuine, demonstrated appreciation for USL's mission, traditions, and culture.

• Master's degree in education or related field (doctorate preferred); significant senior leadership experience in an independent school (Head of School, Assistant/Associate Head, or Division Head), ideally in a small or mission‑driven school.

• Strong understanding of teaching and learning, with a track record of faculty leadership and curriculum oversight — experiential or progressive‑yet‑rigorous models a plus.

• High emotional intelligence, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to build trust across parents, faculty, students, and community.

• Experience with enrollment management, financial oversight, and/or fundraising strongly preferred; Lowcountry/Charleston ties a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

USL offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, retirement benefits, disability and life insurance, professional development support, and the opportunity to lead a distinctive, mission‑driven school in a desirable coastal community. (Health insurance is not currently included in the benefits package.) Relocation assistance may be available.

USL is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our mission and values.

Learn more: www.uslowcountry.org