Head of School Position Statement Virginia Episcopal School€¦ · country’s top adventure towns...

HeadofSchoolPositionStatementVirginiaEpiscopalSchoolLynchburg,VirginiaEstimatedStartDate:July1,2020

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Steepedinarichtraditionbutforward-thinkinginitsapproachtoteachingandlearning,VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolaspirestobethebestsmallboardingschoolintheMid-AtlanticandSoutheast.VESwasfoundedin1916byDr.RobertCarterJett,theschool’sfirstheadmaster,whowasintentonmakingtheschoolavailabletofamilies“oflimitedmeans.”Theschool’smotto—“TowardFullStature”—perfectlycapturesthespiritofDr.Jett’svision:anEpiscopalschoolthatfostersexcellence,charactergrowth,anobligationtogivebacktocommunity,andtheinspirationforallVESstudentstobecometheirverybestselves.Aggressivelyseekinggiftsfromsomeoftheera’smostnotabledignitaries,Dr.Jettwasabletosecurelandandconstructthefirstcampusbuildings,bringingtolifehisgreatdreamandsolidifyingthefutureoftheschool.In1967VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolbecamethefirstboardingschoolinVirginiatoadmitAfrican-Americans.BillAlexanderandMarvinBarnardbecameoutstandingstudentsandleadersatVESandarecelebratedtothisdayfortheirgreatcourageandleadership.Soonafter,sixotherAfrican-Americanstudentsjoinedtheschoolandcontributedsignificantlytothecommunityinavarietyofways.Today,thisgroupofeightAfrican-Americangraduatesishailedasthe“Magnificent8”andallwentontoleadsuccessfullives.Dr.AlexanderandDr.Barnardwerethesubjectofa2017NewYorkTimesMagazinearticlebyMosiSecret.Morerecently,VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolwasthefirstboardingschoolinVirginiatobecomecoeducationalin1986.Today,Dr.Jett’sboldvisioncontinuestoliveon,manifestedinthemission,visionandvaluesoftheschool.TheVESmissionstates:

Virginia Episcopal School

Head of School Search

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VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolisanengagingcommunitythatguidesstudentstostriveTowardFullStatureintheiracademic,ethicalspiritual,andpersonalgrowth.Itistrulyamissionlived.Parents,alumni,trustees,andfacultytalkglowinglyaboutthestrongrelationshipsthatbindfacultyandstudentstogether.Theschool’spivottodevelopingadeeperunderstandingofhowstudentsbestlearnandtheemphasisonthedevelopmentofleadershipskillsreflectaclearcommitmenttoengagingstudents,notjustintheirintellectualdevelopment,butalso,theircharacterdevelopment.Thevisionoftheschoolfurtherdefinesthemissionandarticulatestheaspirationsfortheschool:“VESisanintentionallysmall,globallydiverseeducationalcommunitydedicatedtoexcellenceinstudentengagement,innovativelearningandfacultysupportandgrowth.OuraimistobethebestsmallboardingschoolintheMid-AtlanticandSoutheastregions.”TheCoreValuesaugmentthemissionandvisionofVES:

• ShowHumility• ActwithHonorandIntegrity• FullyEngageinBuildingCommunityand

Self• StriveforExcellenceinAllWeDo

HISTORY AND MISSION

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Finally,theschoolhasoneofthehighestretentionratesamongboardingschoolsinthecountry.



LOCATION AND CAMPUS

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Theintentionalityoftheschoolisseeninitsrecentdevelopmentofthe“PortraitofaVESGraduate.”ThePortraitemanatesfromthemissionandvisionofVESandprovidesclearguidepostsfortrustees,administratorsandfacultytomovetheschoolforward:

1. Curious,innovativethinkersandproducers2. Mindfulleaderswithcourageand

compassion3. Focusedoncommunity4. Self-aware5. Readytonavigateandcontinuetheir

personalgrowthinadynamicworld.Thealignmentbetweenmission,vision,valuesandthe“PortraitofaVESGraduate”createsapowerfulandcompellingjustificationforthe“whyandhow”oftheschool.Thiscleararticulation,alongwithdeftexecution,hasledtoremarkableresultsinthelastseveralyears.In2011-12theschool’senrollmentstoodat176.Todayitstandsat257(fullenrollment).Programshaveexpanded,fundsforprofessionaldevelopmenthaveincreasedsignificantly,andtheschool’spartnershipwithTheUniversityofVirginia’sCurrySchoolofEducationisoneofmanyexamplesofadynamiccultureofinnovationandexcellence.InthelastsixyearsgivingtoTheFundforVirginiaEpiscopalSchool—theannualfund—hasincreasedby70%,andin2016,VEScompleted“TheVision2016Campaign”andraisedarecord$36million.

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VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolislocatedinLynchburg,Virginia,onabeautiful160-acrecampus.ThecampusisanchoredbyJettHall,whichtodayhousesadministrativeofficesandclassroomsbutatonetimeservedasadormitory,diningroomandclassroombuilding.ThebeautifulLanghorneMemorialChapelhostschapelservicesandassembliesand,alongwithJettHallandPendletonHallDorm,werethefirstbuildingsoncampus.HarrisonDiningHallandHightLibraryprovidestudentgatheringplacesandenhancethespiritofcommunity.TherecentlyaddedKingGarmeyTheaterprovidesastageandspacesforthegrowingperformingartsprograms.Dormitories,academicbuildings,facultyhousing,andimpressiveathleticfacilities,includingnumerousplayingfieldsandanoutdoorswimmingpool,comprisetherestofthecampus.Acomfortablehead’shouseisadjacenttoLanghorneChapel.In2018VESapprovedaCampusMasterPlan.Inkeepingwithleadership’sthoughtfulandintentionalapproachtochange,theBoardapprovedfivecoreprinciplestoguidefutureconstruction:

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1. Aplaceofcommunitywherestudentsandfacultymakelifetimeconnections

2. Acampuswherestudentscomefirst3. Acampuswherefacultyandadministratorsloveto

live,work,andgrow4. Acampusoftimelesscharacter,preservingand

translatingtheJett/Brookevisionintoamodernpreparatoryschool

5. Aresponsiblestewardoffiscalandphysicalresources.

GuidedbythesecoreprinciplestheBoardofTrusteesapprovedaplanthatcallsforanadditionalacademicbuilding,astudent-residentiallifecenter,newdormitories,renovatedspacesthatwillencouragedeeperlearningandinterdisciplinarystudies,andupgradedfacultyoffices,housing,andathleticspacessuchaslockerrooms.Planningfortheacademicbuildingandthedormitorieshasalreadybegun,andtheBoardhasengagedMarts&Lundytoprovidefundraisingcounsel.LynchburgisinthefoothillsoftheBlueRidgeMountainswithacitypopulationof80,000and300,000inthemetroarea.Likemanyonce-thrivingmanufacturingcities,Lynchburgsufferedwiththenation’sindustrialdecline.Butfueledbytwouniversitiesandacollege,thecityhaswitnessedarenaissanceinthepastseveralyears.Withagreatrestaurantsceneandburgeoningarts,thedowntownisbecomingathrivinghub.FirstFridaysprovideresidentsanopportunitytoviewworksfromlocal,regionalandnationalartistswhilepromotingasenseofcommunitywithpopularregionalcuisine.In2018,theAcademyCenteroftheArtsopenedthedoorsofitshistorictheaterafteranextensiverenovation,attractingawiderangeofcultureexperiences.WithCharlottesvilleandRoanokeonlyanhouraway,residentshaveaccesstomoreculturalofferingswhilestillenjoyingtherelaxedpaceoflifethatasmallercityaffords.Lynchburgissafeandclean.Withatemperateclimate,theareaoffersawidevarietyofoutdooractivitiesthatresidentscanenjoymostoftheyear.Thecityhasbeenrecognizedasoneofthetop10happiestandhealthiestcommunitiesintheUnitedStatesfortwoyearsinarow(Gallup),oneofthecountry’stopadventuretowns(NationalGeographic,2011),andoneofthe50BestPlacesforRetirement(Kiplinger,2018).

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VIRGINIA EPISCOPAL SCHOOL AT A GLANCE

Founded: 1916

Grades: 9-12Coeducational

Enrollment: 257Students• 70%boardingrepresenting18countriesand9statesplusWashington,D.C.• 54%male;46%female• 20%internationalstudents• 28%studentsofcolor

AverageSATandACTScores(includes20%ofclassforwhomEnglishisnotnativelanguage)

• SAT(Mid-50%):ERWB:570-670/Math:570-700/Mean:1240• ACT(Mid-50%):Composite:23-29/Mean:26

FinancialAssistance: 35%ofStudentsreceive$2.2million

AverageAward: $28,000toQualifiedBoardingStudent

Budget: $11.1million

Endowment: $21.1million

TheFundforVirginiaEpiscopalSchoolAnnualFund:

$1.56million(Alumniparticipationis33%withadrivetoachieve40%andparentparticipationispresently73%.)

Tuition: • Seven-dayDomesticBoarding:$53,210• InternationalBoarding:$60,650• Five-dayBoarding:$41,910• DayStudent:$25,300

Accreditation: • VirginiaAssociationofIndependentSchoolandVirginia• IndependentSchoolsAthleticAssociation

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PROGRAM AND FACULTY

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Amixtureofboththetraditionalandinnovative,theVEScurriculumchallengesstudentstothinkdeeplyandcriticallyandtodeveloptheskillsnecessaryforsuccessincollegeandbeyond.Theschool’sAcademicPhilosophyguidesthedevelopmentofprogramandinspiresteacherstocontinuallygrowinthepracticeoftheircraft.Thesubstanceofthisphilosophyincludes:

1. Dynamicquestionsthatshapecontent,experiences,perspectivesandoutcomes

2. Intellectualplayfulnesswhichdrivespractice

3. Creativethinkersandproducers,committedtomakingbeautifulworkandcommunicatingeffectivelywithoneanotherandthroughouttheworld.

VirginiaEpiscopalSchooloffers16AdvancedPlacementcourses,andstudentsinanAPclassmustsitfortheexam.OverthepastfiveyearsVESstudentshavegarnered229distinctionsin

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theAPScholarProgramincludinganimpressive12NationalScholars.Inaddition,HonorsclassesareofferedinboththeMathandScienceDepartments.Reflectiveoftheschool’sforward-thinkingapproachtoeducation,theVEScurriculumhasthreenoteworthycurricularprogramsofdistinction.TheAdvancedStudiesProgramisforstudentswhohavetakenthemostadvancedcoursesinaparticulardepartment.Theseselectstudentspursueatopicofinterestandrigorouslystudyitwiththeguidanceofafacultymentor.StudentsintheprogrammustdesignaprojectandpresenttheirfindingstotheVEScommunity.Inaddition,theScienceandMathConsortiumisayear-longchallenginginterdisciplinarycoursethatculminatesincollaborative-basedgroupprojectspresentedtotheVEScommunity.The9thGradeARCCollaborativeisaninterdisciplinarycourseofstudyrequiredofallfreshmen.Studentstakethreetrimestercourses;oneintheArts,oneinReasoning,andoneinComputerScience.Thecontentofthesethreecourses“andtheskillsourninthgraderswillacquirefromthemwillbeapplicableacrossacademicdisciplines.”Thecombinationofaforward-thinkingpedagogyandachallengingcurriculumhadledtoimpressiveoutcomes.FortheClassof2019withits56students,12wereacceptedtotheUniversityofVirginia,and

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sevenwereacceptedtotheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatChapelHill—arecordnumber.OthernoteworthycollegeacceptancesfortheClassof2019includeDartmouthCollege,SwarthmoreCollege,WellesleyCollege,Vassar,theUniversityofNotreDame,DavidsonCollege,EmoryUniversity(2),WashingtonandLeeCollege(3),TheCollegeofWilliamandMary(3),UCLA,andtheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley.Mostimportantly,theCollegeCounselingOfficereceivesravereviewsforitsdiligenteffortstobuildproductiverelationshipswithstudentsinordertoguidethemtothe“bestfit.”Theathletic,arts,andvariousleadershipprogramsprovidearich,positiveexperienceforstudentsoutsidetheclassroom.Studentscanparticipatein17competitivesports,typicallyatajuniorvarsityorvarsitylevel.Theschoolcompetesagainstsame-sizeschools.VESstudent-athleteshavegoneontocompeteatthecollegiatelevel,someattheDivisionIlevel.Inaddition,VESoffersavibrantandwide-rangingprograminthearts.Drama,choralmusic,instrumentalmusic,andthefineartsdrawmanystudentsbothaspartofthecurricularprogramaswellasafterschool.Inboththeartsandathleticprogramsandinkeepingwiththemissionoftheschool,studentsareencouragedtoexplore,nomattertheirskilllevel,inordertodiscovernewdimensionsofthemselves.A

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varietyofleadershipopportunitiesareavailabletostudents,includingmembershiptotheHonorCommittee,selectedbystudentvote.TheschoolhasatraditionalHonorCodethatistakenseriouslybyallmembersofthecommunity.Allstudentsmustparticipateinanafter-schoolactivity.Aformalchapelserviceisheldonceaweek,reflectiveoftheschool’scommitmenttothespiritualgrowthofitsstudents.ThefacultyatVESiswidelyseenastheheartandsouloftheschool.Teachersembracetheirrolesnotonlyasclassroominstructorsbutalsoasmentors,advisors,coaches,andclubsponsors.Thefacultycultureexudeswarmthandcollaboration.Parentslaudtheconnections

betweenteachersandtheirchildren.Studentsareeffusiveintheirpraiseofteacherswhonotonlyhavehighexpectationsforthembutalsoarewillingtoworkwiththemoutsideofclass.Ofparticularnoteisthe“growthmindset”ofteacherswhoseetheirprofessionaldevelopmentascriticalinhelpingtheschoolachieveitsambitiousgoals.ArecentlyimplementedfacultyevaluationprogramalongwiththeestablishmentoftheDeanofFacultypositionhasenhancedfacultymorale.TheteachersatVESlive“TowardFullStature”and,asaresult,providepowerfulmodelsoflife-longlearningtotheirstudents.

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ParticularlylaudableforasmallboardingschoolisVirginiaEpiscopalSchool’scommitmenttofacultyprofessionalgrowth.Theinvestmentinprofessionaldevelopmentstemsfromthe2018StrategicPlanandreflectstheschool’sbeliefthatfacultygrowthengendersapositiveanddynamicculture.In2018-19theschoolspentover$150,000onfacultyprofessionaldevelopment.Inaddition,in2016VESestablishedapartnershipwiththeUniversityofVirginia’sCurrySchoolofEducationforthepurposeof“drivingexcellenceinteachingandlearning

ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE

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InAugust2019TommyBattlewillbeginhistenthandfinalyearasHeadmasteratVirginiaEpiscopalSchool.Tommy’sbusinessacumenhasbeeninstrumentalintransformingVES.Herecruitedatalentedseniorleadershipteam,managedfinancescarefully,andworkedwithstakeholderstodevelopacompellingstrategicplan.In2016theschoolsuccessfullycompleteda$36millioncapitalcampaign.Withastrongfoundation,VESispoisedtocontinueitsupwardtrajectory.TheHeadmasterhasfivedirectreports:AssociateHeadofSchool,theDirectorofAdmissionsandFinancialAid,theDirectorofDevelopment,theDirectorofMarketing,Communications,andAdvancementOperations,andtheDirectorofBusinessAffairs.ByallaccountsthisLeadershipTeam,alongwiththeDeanofFacultyandtheDeanofAcademics,isviewedashard-workinganddevotedtotheschoolanditsmission.AllhaveplayedpivotalrolesintherecentsuccessofVES.Likemanyadministrativestructures,thereisanidiosyncraticqualitybasedontheparticulartalentsofadministrators,butnonetheless,theresultsareimpressive.Aftersomeperilousyearsoffinancialinstability,VESisinsolidfinancialshape,endingwithsurpluseseachofthelastthreeyears.

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amongourVESfaculty.”CurrySchoolprofessorsobserveVESclassesandprovidefeedbacktoteachers.Theseprofessorsalsointroducetoteacherswell-researchedpedagogicalpracticesdesignedtoengagestudentsandenhancelearning.In2018VESbegantheSummerCollaborativeforExcellenceinTeachingandLearning—“atwo-dayworkshopdesignedforK-12teacherstolearnabouttoptrendingtopicsineducationfromthetop-nameCurrySchoolfaculty.”

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VirginiaEpiscopalSchool’sBoardofTrusteesconsistsof28members,18ofwhomaregraduatesoftheschool.TheBoardmeetsthreetimesayearandhasactivecommitteesthatmeetthroughouttheyear,eitherface-to-faceorbyphone.TheBoard’sloveoftheschoolispalpable.Thetrusteesareengagedinthelong-termhealthandstrategicdirectionofVESandhaveastrongunderstandingoftheessentialchallengesfacingtheschool.Theyhavebeenextremelygenerous,providingexcellentleadershipinthecompletionofthemostrecentcapitalcampaign.Workingwiththeadministration,theBoarddevelopedastrategicplanin2018withfivechoices:

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1. Deliver“programswithpurpose”ineveryaspectoftheschoolthatpromotehappy,healthyyoungadultsstrivingtowardtheirhighestlevelofpersonalachievement.

2. Deliveracurriculum,anchoredtotheVESAcademicPhilosophy,thatinspiresanddevelopscurious,innovativethinkersandproducers.

3. ExpandaccesstoVESandenhancediversity,equityandinclusionwithintheschoolcommunity.

4. Promoteanexceptionalcultureforfacultyandstaff.

5. Driveoperationalexcellence,innovationandstewardship.

Eachchoicehasalistofmorespecificobjectives,anditisquiteclearthatthestrategicplanistheunmistakableNorthStarfortheschool.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

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studentsandstrengthenitsbrand,especiallyinlightoftheheadwindsmanyboardingschoolsarefacinginthedomesticboardingmarket.Becauseoftheneedoverthepast10yearstobejudiciousinexpenditures,deferredmaintenanceatVESremainsaconcern.TheBoardandadministrationrecognizetheissueandhaveplanstoaddressit.ButitwillbenecessaryforthenewHeadtonotlosesightofthisprioritygoingforward.AlthoughVEShasmadesomerecentstridesindiversifyingthefacultyandadministration,moreneedstobedoneinthisarea,especiallyinlightofthegrowingdiversityofthestudentbody.Ofparticularimportanceistheabsenceofcollaborationandteamworkwithintheadministrativeteam.Althoughthereisageneralsentimentthateachsenioradministratorbringsvaluableskillstohisorherindividualdomains,thereislittleevidencethatthegroupasawholeworkswelltogether.TheabsenceofcollaborationiswellknownwithintheVEScommunityofteachersandstaffmembers.Inparticular,inconsistentandineffectivecommunicationandafailuretolistencarefullytoemployeeconcernsfostersacultureofmistrustandasensethatmembersoftheinternalVEScommunityarenotvalued.ThenextHeadwillneedtoaddressthisissuetoestablishastrongfoundationforfurthergrowth.

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VirginiaEpiscopalSchoolhasexperiencedremarkablegrowthandbyallaccountsispoisedtotakethenextstepsinordertorealizeitsvision.Likeallindependentschoolsitfaceschallenges,mostofwhichrepresentopportunities.Whatfollowsarethemostsignificantissuesthenextheadwillneedtoaddressinpartnershipwiththefacultyandboard.Despitethegrowthinenrollmentandtheschool’sfundraisingsuccess,thereisstillmuchtodointheseareastoensurethefinancialsustainabilityoftheschool.Inparticular,theschoolismovingforwardinitsplansforamajorcapitalcampaign,anditwillbeimportantforthenextHeadtoplayaleadershiproleinthisendeavor.Moreover,VESwillneedtocontinuetodevisestrategiestoattractmission-appropriate

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QUALITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Thislistofqualitiesoftheidealcandidateisnotmeanttobeexhaustive.Thereiscertainlyabaselineofleadershipandmanagementskillsthatanyleaderneeds.ButthefollowingqualitieswillbeofparticularimportancetotheSearchCommitteeasitreviewsapplications:• Astrongbeliefintheeducationaldirectionof

theschoolandthemotivationtoturntheambitiousVESStrategicPlanintoareality;

• Adeepappreciationforboardingschoolandtheadvantagesitbringstostudents;

• Astrongdesiretoembracefundraisingasanessentialaspectofthejob;

• AwillingnesstocontinueintegratingVESintothelargerLynchburgcommunitynotonlytoenhancetown-gownrelationsbutalsotostrengthenthedaystudentmarket;

• AnoptimisticandpositivecommunitybuilderwhoconnectswithallthestakeholdersandengendersconfidenceinVESanditsfuture;

• A“peopleperson”withahighEQ—someonewhoisbothapproachableandwillingtoholdpeopleaccountable;asuperbcommunicatorwhocanbebothdirectanddiplomaticasthecircumstancesrequireandinspirestakeholders;

• Aneffectivemanagerandteam-builderwholeveragestheteammembers’strengthstoaccomplishgoals;

• Apersonwithstrongself-awareness,understandinghisorherstrengthsandweaknessesandabletoidentifykeyadministratorswhocanappropriatelycompensate.

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APPLICATIONPROCESS

Interestedcandidatesmaycontact:

[email protected]

or

ArlyceSeibertResourceGroup175arlyceseibert14@icloud.com248-703-6913

Toapply,candidateshavetwochoices:

1. Onlineat:https://rg175.com/candidate/login

OR

2. Emailthefollowing—InasinglePDF—tobothTomandArlyce:

• Coverletterdetailinghis/herinterestintheschool

• Resume

• Statementofeducationalorleadershipphilosophy

• Threeconfidentialreferenceswithcontactinformation(Pleasenote:additionalreferenceswillberequiredforallfinalists).

APPLICATIONDEADLINE:August20,2019

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Head of School Position Statement Virginia Episcopal School€¦ · country’s top adventure towns...

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