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HeadofSchoolSearch
PowhatanSchoolBoyce,VirginiaJuly1,2021
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Areyoualeaderwithelementaryormiddleschoolexperiencewhorecognizestheimportanceofdevelopingconfidentandcreativelife-longlearners?Doyouappreciateawell-roundedapproachtoeducationthatincludesexceptionalacademics,projectbasedexperientiallearning,criticalthinking,publicspeaking,performingarts,andathletics,liveddailythroughPowhatan’spowerfulmission“welearnnotforschoolbutforlife”?Dreamingofaleadershippositioninaschoolwithaclose-knitcommunitysteepedinrichtraditionwhileembracingmoderncurricula?Ifso,PowhatanSchooloffersauniqueopportunitythatmaybeperfectforyoutoconsider.Powhatan’sHeadofSchoolbeginseachdaygreetingeverystudentbyname,witheyecontactandahandshake.Fromthemomentastudentstepsoncampus,theyunderstandtheimportanceoftheirattendance,gainafeelingofconnectionandexperienceapridefulpurpose.Theschool’scommunity-centricfeeldatestoits1948Millwood,Virginiafounding.Locatedapproximatelytwenty-fiveminutesfromWinchester,Virginiaandpullingstudentsfromseveralsurroundingcounties,Powhatanenrollsaround236studentsingradesPK-8.NestledintheNorthernShenandoahValley,theschool’sbucolicsettingaffordsanescapefromcongestionbutaproximitytosomeofthenations’mostvibrantculturalandurbancenters.
Powhatan School: Head of School Search
“WELEARNNOTFORSCHOOLBUTFORLIFE”
THE OPPORTUNITY
THE ENVIRONMENT
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SurroundingPowhatan’scampusisanareadottedwithsmallfarmsandwonderfuloutdooropportunities.NearbyWinchester(population27,000)andsurroundingFrederickCounty(population87,000)provideasmallcity,suburban
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atmospherewithahistoricdowntown,shopping,restaurantsandevolvingvibrancy.ForbesrecentlynamedWinchesterthe9thbestsmallmetroareaforbusinessandcareersinAmerica(#1inVirginia)aswellasoneoftheir25BestPlacestoRetire.Asuperbqualityoflifeexistsfortheyoungprofessional,familyandretiree.ThecommunityiscloseenoughtoWashington,DC,BaltimoreandRichmondtobeeasilyaccessibleforamenitiesandculturewhileretainingthesmall-townbenefitsofminimaltraffic,senseofcommunityandlowerhousingcosts.Manynew,largeemployershavecontinuedtomoveintotheareasuchastheFBICentralRecordsComplex,AmazonandProcter&Gamble.TheseorganizationsblendintoathrivinglocaleconomythatcountsValleyHealth,ShenandoahUniversityandNavyFederalalongwithaplethoraofsmall,civicmindedbusinessesascommunityassets.AllsurroundingcountiesboastgoodpublicschoolswheremanyPowhatangraduatesattend.
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THE CAMPUS
Powhatan’sopen,64-acrecampusisanassettothevibrancyandlifeoftheschool’sstudentsandstaff.Thewell-maintainedphysicalplantisblessedwithbuildingsdesignedspecificallyforschooluse.Thecampusincludesafreestandingadministrationbuilding,preschool,circularlibrary,auditorium,gymnasiumandMakerSpace.Eachteacherenjoysdedicatedclassroomsalongwithtwoartstudios,twomusicrooms,virtualmedialab,languageroomsandbothlowerandupperschoolsciencelabs.Outfittedclassroomsutilizewhiteboards,projectionscreensandconnectedcomputers,tabletsorlaptops.Outdoorplayareascomplimenttheindoorspaceswithupdated,age-appropriateequipmentandspaciousathleticfields.Powhatan’sCrockerConservancysurroundsthecorecampus.Thisnatural,47-acrehabitatconsistsofacreek,wetlands,hardwoodforestandwildflowermeadowthatallprovideuniqueeducationalopportunities.Secondgradersinmuckboots,facultylookingtoteachoutsideandyoungscientistsconductinghandsonexperimentsallutilizethetwodozenbluebirdhouses,beehives,hikingtrails,gatheringpavilion,wetlandsboardwalkandcross-countrycourse.ThepotentialofthisextraordinaryspacehasonlyjustbeentappedandawaitsthenewHeadofSchool’svisionandcreativity.
Powhatan School: Head of School Search
THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
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StudentsPoliteandconfident,studentsbuildstrongconnectionswitheachotherandwiththefaculty.Beginninginthelowerschool,Powhatan’spillarsofexcellence,civility,integrity,respectandserviceareintroducedandputintopractice.Studentsevolveasleaders.Consistentopportunitiesareprovidedforcontinualgrowththroughcross-grade“buddylunches,”studentcouncil,athleticcaptainsorserviceopportunities.Furtheringthesenseofbelonging,studentsexperienceahealthysenseofteamworkwithprogramssuchasPowhatan’sPostandRailteams.ThisHarryPotter-esque,generationaltraditionbeganlongbeforethenovels.Beginningwiththeirentrancetoschool,continuingthroughgraduationandasalumni,studentsbelongtoeitheraPostorRailteam.Throughouttheschoolyear,teamscompeteforpointsthroughacademic,serviceandathleticeventsculminatinginaspringfieldday.Teamcaptainsareselectedbythestudentbodyduringtheannualfallupper
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Powhatan School: Head of School Search
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schooloffcampusretreat.Theretreatkick-startstheyearwithanopportunityforstudentsandfacultytobuilddeeperrelationshipsandcometogetherinasharedpurpose.Faculty,StaffandAdministrationPowhatan’s55dedicatedfacultyandstaffcompriseacaring,empathetic,livelyandcommunity-orientedgroupofeducators.Theyarecommittedtotheschool,thestudentsandtheparentsthatentrustthewellbeingoftheirchildrentoPowhatan.Teachersdevelopstrongstudentrelationshipsandoftenbecometrustedadvisors.Hungeringtosetapositiveexamplethat“welearnnotforschoolbutforlife,”thefacultyseeksgrowthopportunitiesthroughconferences,coursesandworkshops.Individualstudentattention,parentcommunicationandactiverolesbeyondtheirclassroomsisevidenceofthefaculty’scommitment.ManyfacultymemberschoosePowhatanfortheirownchildren’seducation,contributingtothestrongbondsofapalpable,communitycentricatmosphere.InadditiontotheHeadofSchool,therearetwofull-timedivisionheadsandotherkeyadministrativestaffwhichoverseeadmissions,development,physicalplantandthebusinessoffice.Thisgroupformsanadministrativecouncilthatmeetsregularlytomanageoperations,workingcloselywithfacultytomakedecisionsthatwillaffectthelivesofthestudentsandtheirfamilies.ParentsAbout40percentofPowhatanfamiliesliveinthegreaterWinchesterarea.Manyparentsareprofessionalswhoworkintheregionalhospitalsystem,establishedcorporations,orservicebusinessesthatsupportthecommunity.FamiliesalsoresideinseveralsurroundingcountiesincludingClarke,Loudoun,FauquierandWestVirginia’sEasternPanhandle,contributingtotheschool’sregionalfeel.Comprehensivebustransportationservicesmostfamilylocations.About35percentofthefamiliesareofcolor,manyfromtheAsiansub-continent.AnactivePowhatanParentsAssociationprovidessupport
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fortheschoolviabothfund-andfriend-raisingopportunities.Manyparentsvolunteersignificanthourstoassistinvariousschoolactivities.BoardPowhatan’sBoardofTrusteesconsistsof17dedicatedmemberscomprisedmostlyofparentsbutalsoincludingAssociateTrusteesandcommunityleaders.AssociateTrusteesareagroupofformerparents,grandparents,alumni,facultyandcommunityfriendsthatareinvestedinPowhatan’slong-termsuccess.Trusteesgenerouslygivetheirtimeandresourcestoschoolcauses.Theyareactiveinshapingstrategicvision,fundraisingandoverallsupportfortheschool’sprogramsandHeadofSchool.Boardleadershipunderstandsitsroleinthelifeoftheschoolandworkshardtorespecttheboundariesbetweenpolicyandpractice.TheBoardisstableandappropriatelyengagedinpartnershipwiththeHeadofSchool.
THE PROGRAM
Powhatan School: Head of School Search
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Powhatan’straditionalprogramemphasizesaliterature-basedcurriculumprovidingstudentsstrongopportunitiesinliteracy,writingandcommunication.AlumniandtheirparentsconsistentlycreditPowhatanwithprovidingasolidreading,writing,andpublicspeakingfoundationascriticaltotheirfutureacademicsuccess.Athrivingmathprogramcomplementstheliteracyfocusasevidencedbystudents’regularsuccessesinregionalMathCountscompetitions.Art,music,theater,
library,STEM,foreignlanguageandphysicaleducationleverageandenhancethecoresubjects.Throughthelensofaproject-basedcurriculum,allthese“specials”playimportantrolesinthelifeofastudentandproviderobustadditionstocross-curricularprojects.TheabilitytopubliclyspeakconfidentlyandcapablyisahallmarkofPowhatan.Skillsaredevelopedandpracticedfromtheearliestages.Eachclassproducesaplayclimaxingina7thgrademusicalandthe8thgradeShakespeareplay.RichardIIIandJuliusCaesarareamongthemostrecentproductions.APowhatantradition,“ChapelTalks”areapointofprideforeverygraduate.Inthismemorablecapstoneproject,
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Powhatan School: Head of School Search
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each8thgraderchoosesatopicandgivesaten-minutetalkdelivered,withoutnotes,totheentireschool.Ahighlightforstudentsofallages,thesepresentationssetanaspirationalstandardfortheyoungergradesandemphasizetheroleofpublicspeakingintheiracademicjourney.TheschooltakesadvantageofNEAL(NatureEnhancedApproachtoLearning)opportunitiesbyutilizingitscampusandlocation.Teachersworkcollaborativelyacrossdisciplinesandgradestoincorporatetheoutdoorsintothecurriculum.Examplesofstudyincludenativefloraandfauna,butterflymigration,recyclingprograms,fieldtripsandmaintaininggardens.Participationinoneseasonalsportisrequiredofallmiddleschoolstudentsbutthefacilityandschedulemakeitpossibleforallinterestedstudentstoactivelyparticipateinmultipleseasons.Theschoolcompetesregionallyagainstotherschoolsinmostsports.Astronginterestintheartsisevidencedbythenumberofstudentswhoengageinafterschoolstring,pianoordancelessons.
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ManytraditionscontributeandbolsteraPowhatanstudent’sexperience.TheannualDecemberCarolSingreflectsalltheculturesofthoseenrolledintheSchoolandisoneofthelargestschoolcommunitygatherings,alongwithGraduationandGrandparents’Day.Schoolwidestudentbody“Gatherings”occuronMondaymorningswhereoftenPowhatan“Blue”Awardsaregiventostudentsforextraordinarydeeds.TheentireschoolcherishestheWinterTuesdayProgramwherestudents,facultyandparentsgatheratalocalskiresortforskiingandsnowboarding.Allstudentsexperiencefieldtrips.Startingfromthethirdgrade,studentsparticipateinovernight,regionallytargetedculturalexperiencesthatenhancetheirappreciationofthegreaterworld.Boththe“survivaltrip”and“ChesapeakeBaytrip”continuetobetwoofthemostmemorable.Lastly,yearlyinternationaltripoptionsduringspringbreakareofferedincludingdestinationssuchasCostaRicaandPeru.
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OPPORTUNITES AND CHALLENGES
ThenextHeadofPowhatanSchoolshouldutilizeeffectivecommunicationstrategiesandbepreparedtoworkinpartnershipwiththeBoard,faculty,staff,administrationandparentsto:Furtherstrengthenthededicated,experiencedandcommittedfacultybyrecruiting,retaining,andcompensatinghigh-qualityfacultywhilesupportingprofessionalgrowth.ApproachPowhatan’s75thanniversarybybuildingupontheschool’scherishedtraditionsandstrongfoundationoflearning.Continuetoevolveawell-roundedandcontemporaryacademicexperiencethatincludeslanguagearts,STEM,projectbasedexperientiallearning,NEAL,music,artandathletics.Sustainandappropriatelygrowastableenrollmentbyarticulatingacoherentandcompellingvaluepropositioninanincreasinglychallengingenrollmentenvironment.Leadandunifyallstakeholdersinsupportofacollectivevision,includingfaculty,parents,trusteesandthecommunity.Lookbeyondthecampusforpartnershipsandactivitiesthatdeependiversity,involvethegreatercommunity,fulfillasenseofpublicpurposeandenhancethestudents’educationalexperience.Capitalizeonaconsiderablephysicalplant,soundfinancialsandlimiteddebtbyhelpingtosetavisionaryroadmapfortheschool’snearfuture.ImprovefundraisingbyinspiringPowhatan’sschoolcommunitytogive,diversifyingthedonorbaseandstrengtheningthedevelopmentofficetherebygrowingtheendowment,assistingintheschool’scontinuedfinancialhealthandensuringlong-termsustainability.
Powhatan School: Head of School Search
THE CANDIDATE
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Theidealcandidatewillpossessastrongprofessionalbackgroundandengagingpersonalqualities.Whilenocandidatewilllikelypossessallthebelowmentionedqualities,thestrongestcandidateswillhavemostofthem.ProfessionalBackground
• Pastclassroomteaching• Strongadministrativeexperienceinan
independentschoolattheelementaryormiddleschoollevel
• Evidenceoffacultyleadership• Participationorleadershipofan
administrativeteam• Experienceinfinancialmanagementandthe
capacitytohandlebudgeting• Fund-raisingexperienceorakeeninterest
andpotentialinthiscriticalarea• Clearandeffectivecommunicationhabits
acrossadiversearrayofconstituencies• Experienceworkinginacollaborative
environmentwithevidenceofdecisivenessanddecision-makingaccountability
• Familiaritywithbothtraditionalandcontemporaryprogramminginacompassionate,student-centricsetting
• Experienceindesigninganddeliveringinnovativeexperientiallearningmethodologies
• Bachelor’sdegreeinappropriatefield;Master’sdegreepreferred
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APPLICATION PROCESS
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PersonalQualities• Loveofchildren• Warmthandempathy• Highemotionalquotient(EQ)• Outgoingpersonality• Unquenchableoptimism• Resilienceandenergy• Curiosity• Senseofhumor• Unquestionedintegrity• Decisiveness• Strongcommunicationskills,bothwrittenandoral• Communitymindedness• Analyticalacumen
Interestedcandidatesmayapplyonlineathttps://rg175.com/candidate/signupTheapplicationincludesa:
• Coverletter• Currentresume• Personalstatement• Fivereferences
Forquestions,pleasecontactthesearchconsultantsfromResourceGroup175:
DeborahE.Reed [email protected] [email protected]
ApplicationDeadline:May1,2020PowhatanSchoolisanequalopportunityemployerthatdoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofgender,race,religion,sexualorientation,ornationalorigin.
Powhatan School: Head of School Search
AT A GLANCE
• 236studentsandstableenrollment• 55facultyandstaff• $5million-dollar(approximately)endowment• Limiteddebt• $5million-dollar(approximately)operatingbudget
