Head of School

POSITION SUMMARY

This position maintains and advances the mission of Christ Academy by providing overarching leadership of faculty, families, facilities, finances, pedagogy, and culture.

Location: Salem, Oregon
Division: K–12
Status: Full-time
Reports to: Board of Directors
Direct reports: Campus Coordinator, Business Administrator, Marketing and Admissions Director, Development Director, and full- and part-time teachers
Key partnerships: Board, faculty, parents, Evergreen Church, area churches, and donors
Start Date: Summer 2027 (or earlier, if feasible, for smooth transition)


WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

As a classical Christian school, Christ Academy’s mission is to form students to display the surpassing goodness of Jesus Christ through thoughtful, articulate, beautiful, and virtuous lives.

Founded in 2023, Christ Academy launched with 19 students K-12, a handful of dedicated part-time teachers, and volunteer leadership. Now with 62 students, we have more than tripled our original enrollment, employing a Head of School, 16 full- and part-time faculty, and various other staff members. Last year, we graduated 6 students into the work force and higher education. Notably, our current student body draws from 14 area churches, and we are Salem’s only K-12 classical, Christian school.

As Christ Academy enters the next season of growth and development, the Head of School will strengthen the school’s vibrant culture while uniting educational credibility with disciplined enrollment growth and financial judgment. We seek a leader who combines executive vision with an articulate delight in the distinctives of classical, Christian pedagogy—a warm-hearted, intellectually curious, organizational leader.


SIX CORE OUTCOMES

1. Unified Mission & Leadership Culture—The Head of School stands as the chief exemplar of Christ Academy’s mission to form students in the surpassing riches of Jesus Christ, collaborating with the Board and the Leadership Team to develop a unique culture of united purpose amongst all stakeholders.

2. Faculty Excellence—Teachers model virtue and exhibit growth in the prudent use of pedagogy that fosters wisdom, character, and human flourishing. They are genuinely equipped through meaningful coaching and clear expectations. The classical program is delivered with consistency and joy across all grades.

3. Student Formation & Outcomes—Teaching and student life consistently express Christ Academy’s mission. The academic program produces measurable growth in literacy, reasoning, articulation, and subject proficiency.

4. Family Confidence & Partnership—Christian parents understand the school’s mission of student formation, receive constructive communication, and encounter wise, timely follow-through on concerns.

5. Sustainable, Mission-Aligned Enrollment Growth—Christ Academy grows from 60 to 180 over the coming years. Re-enrollment rates are strong. Families who have not yet encountered classical, Christian education choose to enroll because of the compelling vision of beautiful education for life transformation.

6. Financial Stewardship & Operational Integrity—The school operates within its budget and follows a strategic timeline toward a sustainable operating balance. The Head of School partners transparently with the board on financial health, and the organization runs with clarity and discipline, stewarding donors, families, and staff that God brings.


ROLE CONTEXT

Board Authority and Reporting—The Head of School reports to the Board of Directors. Regular reports include updates on missional success, finances, enrollment, faculty development, and strategic progress. The Board provides regular direction, support, and evaluation for the Head of School.

Delegated Execution—The Head of School partners with direct reports on shared functions including some marketing and recruitment tasks, financial administration and reporting, fundraising, and facilities planning.

Decision Rights—
● Own: faculty hiring and termination, curriculum and pedagogy, family partnership, day-to-day operations, budget management, fundraising initiatives, and community representation—all within the framework of Board-approved policies and consistent with the vision of the Board

● Recommend: budget and major capital expenditures, significant policy changes, and strategic direction and growth targets


QUALIFICATIONS

Education
● Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or higher preferred.

Personal Qualities
● Vibrant, mature faith in Jesus Christ
● Complete support of Christ Academy’s theological commitments
● Broad vision for maintaining the ethos of Christ Academy
● Wisdom, cheerfulness, proactivity, and discretion

Experience & Skills
● High capacity for leadership through the cycles of:
○ Envisioning the missional needs of Christ Academy
○ Empowering others to meet those needs via their unique roles
○ Executing assigned tasks with godly excellence
○ Evaluating wise adjustments to established and developing processes
● Facility with written, verbal, and public communication
● Delight in the distinctives of classical, Christian pedagogy


PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The Board of Directors will evaluate the Head of School’s effectiveness across the core outcomes, qualifications, and strategic priorities outlined in this position description. Additional evaluation criteria may be established by the board in conjunction with the Head of School.


TO APPLY
Send CV and cover letter to Board Chair, Christopher Bechtel.