Head of School

0000 Great Hearts America; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Realon Christian Academy, a Great Hearts Academies Partner School, is hiring a Founding Head of School to launch a private classical Christian high school in Charlotte, NC. The role focuses on sustaining a joyful, faith‑filled community while upholding intellectual seriousness and moral formation for grades 9–12.

The Head of School will lead faculty, oversee operations, and partner with families and community stakeholders to achieve strategic and financial priorities as the school grows from

Qualifications

• Active Christian faith and a personal life consistent with Christian leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; advanced degree in education, leadership, the liberal arts, theology, or a related field preferred.
• At least three years of successful school leadership experience as a dean, assistant head of school, principal, or comparable role; leadership experience in a classical or Christian high school preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching and in the development, coaching, and evaluation of teachers.
• Deep understanding of classical education and a well‑grounded vision for the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of young adults.
• Experience leading high‑school academic programs, student culture, family communication, and operational functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school in faithful execution of its Christian mission, and strategic priorities.
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, develop, and retain excellent teachers and campus leaders.
• Oversee curriculum implementation and instructional program; plan faculty meetings and professional development.
• Lead campus leadership team in coaching, data review, and academic intervention.
• Ensure the academic program serves all students, including those needing extra support or advanced challenge.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding priorities, progress, events, and community life.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Strategic vision

Relationship building

Teaching excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Realon Christian Academy, a Great Hearts Academies Partner School, is hiring for a Founding Head of School for a Fall 2026 start, to lead the launch of this private, classical & applied STEM high school in Fall 2027. Opening initially to grades 9 -10, Realon provides students with a holistic learning experience that nurtures intellectual curiosity, moral integrity, and real-world problem‑solving skills. Our rigorous curriculum is designed to challenge students to think deeply, communicate effectively, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.

Position Title: Head of School Reports to: Board of Trustees School Level: Grades 9-12 Location: Charlotte, North Carolina FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt Salary Range: $100,000-120,000 Start Date: Fall 2026

Position Overview

The Head of School is the senior campus leader responsible for the academic, spiritual, cultural, organizational, and operational health of a classical Christian high school serving students in grades 9-12. The Head of School establishes and sustains a joyful, faith‑filled community marked by intellectual seriousness, moral formation, excellent teaching, and compassionate service. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, with accountability exercised through the Board Chair, the Head of School leads the faculty and campus leadership team, oversees the student experience and school operations, advances the school’s strategic and financial priorities, and represents the school to families, community partners, and other stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Classical Christian and Spiritual Leadership

• Lead the school in faithful execution of its Christian mission, Statement of Faith, strategic priorities, and commitment to classical education.
• Cultivate a Christ‑centered culture of prayer, worship, service, Christian charity, and moral formation appropriate to a high school community.
• Articulate a coherent vision for the intellectual and moral formation of students and communicate that vision to faculty, students, families, and the broader community.
• Integrate faith, learning, and service across the academic and communal life of the school.
• Lead chapel and other appropriate spiritual formation activities, either directly or through designated leaders.

Instructional and Faculty Leadership

• Recruit, select, onboard, supervise, develop, and retain excellent teachers and members of the campus leadership team.
• Provide clear expectations for excellent classical Christian teaching and a strong, collegial faculty culture.
• Observe, coach, and evaluate faculty; address performance concerns through timely support, improvement plans, or corrective action as appropriate.
• Oversee faithful and effective implementation of the curriculum and instructional program.
• Plan and lead faculty meetings, professional development, in‑service days, and other activities supporting instructional excellence.
• Lead the campus leadership team in coordinated coaching, faculty support, data review, academic intervention, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that the academic program serves the needs of all students, including students requiring additional support and students ready for advanced challenge.

Student Life, Culture, and Family Partnership

• Establish and sustain a strong student culture grounded in Christian virtue, classical ideals, intellectual engagement, personal responsibility, and respect for others.
• Oversee systems for student orientation, attendance, conduct, discipline, academic progress, and intervention.
• Address elevated student concerns and discipline matters with sound judgment, consistency, compassion, and timely family communication.
• Oversee academic advising, college and postsecondary counseling, student support services, athletics, clubs, and other high‑school co‑curricular programs.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with families regarding school priorities, student progress, events, policies, and community life.
• Build strong relationships with students and families from varied cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and remove barriers that impede student success.
• Provide active leadership in student recruitment, tours, open houses, and prospective family events.

Organizational and Community Leadership

• Set and implement short‑ and long‑term campus goals aligned with the school’s mission and Board direction.
• Lead and coordinate the teams responsible for student services, counseling, athletics, front‑office operations, and other campus functions.
• Interpret and champion the school’s mission to students, families, faculty, donors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the school with credibility and professionalism before the Board, external partners, auditors, supporters, and the wider community.
• Foster partnerships with churches, community organizations, service providers, and other organizations that advance the school’s mission.
• Plan and oversee major school traditions, ceremonies, and community events appropriate to a high school.

Operational and Financial Leadership

• Oversee daily campus operations and maintain a safe, orderly, welcoming, and mission‑aligned learning environment.
• Develop and manage the annual school budget with stewardship, accuracy, transparency, and accountability.
• Provide or support timely and accurate reporting on expenditures, enrollment, student outcomes, staffing, and other key operating measures.
• Identify and implement sound improvements to campus processes, staffing, systems, and resource allocation in collaboration with organizational support personnel.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, school policies, accreditation expectations, and other governing requirements.
• Build a service‑oriented, collaborative culture across the school.

Qualifications

• Active Christian faith and a personal and professional life consistent with the expectations of Christian leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required; advanced degree in education, leadership, the liberal arts, theology, or a related field preferred.
• At least three years of successful school leadership experience as a dean, assistant head of school, principal, or comparable role; leadership experience in a classical or Christian high school preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in classroom teaching and in the development, coaching, and evaluation of teachers.
• Deep understanding of classical education and a well‑grounded vision for the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of young adults.
• Experience leading high‑school academic programs, student culture, family communication, and operational functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication, sound judgment, discretion, organizational discipline, and the ability to build trust across a school community.
• Ability to analyze student, program, and financial information and translate findings into responsible decisions and clear priorities.

Employment Notice

Realon Christian Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination or harassment based on any status protected by applicable law. As an expressly religious, faith‑based, mission‑driven organization, Realon Christian Academy requires employees to affirm and adhere to its faith‑based beliefs and principles, including its Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct.

Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements.

Travel required: May need to travel locally for training and professional development opportunities.

This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not exclude or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Great Hearts Academies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Our purpose is to cultivate the minds and hearts of students through the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Great Hearts Academies leads the way in classical, liberal arts education. We are a growing network of charter schools and private Christian schools, expanding in existing and new regions across Arizona, Louisiana, and Texas. Whether you are seeking teaching, leadership, or campus support opportunities, we have established a mission‑driven culture and emphasis on learning and growing, professionally and personally. At Great Hearts, we provide a calling to shape the future through an education that fosters human flourishing and academic excellence. We celebrate diversity and welcome individuals from all backgrounds—inside and outside education—who bring unique perspectives and ideas to enrich our community. Through meaningful conversations and collaboration, we foster a strong, supportive cohort of educators. At Great Hearts, your passion and expertise will thrive in a supportive and dynamic environment. Learn how you can grow both in mind and heart as an employee of Great Hearts.