THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL - Atlanta, Georgia Start Date: July 2022 westminster.net
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE WESTMINSTER SCHOOLS
Atlanta, Georgia
HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Start Date: July 2022
westminster.net
Westminster is a coeducational Christian, independent day school for grades
pre-first through 12, committed to creating an educational experience where
bright, curious, motivated students who are nurtured by challenge can grow
into leaders of conscience.
OVERVIEW
The Westminster Schools is one of the leading independent schools in the nation. A coeducational
Christian, independent day school serving 1,900 students in grades pre-first through 12, Westminster
is committed to creating a highly engaging educational experience for bright, motivated students. While
steeped in a tradition of excellence, Westminster continually strives to be a catalyst that inspires and
engages by providing leading-edge programs and unique experiences that spark students’ creativity
and curiosity.
Within a culture of intellectual vibrancy, Westminster’s passionate and curious students are nurtured
in an environment that develops leaders who will be a positive force in the world. Led by a highly
experienced faculty, Westminster offers a challenging curriculum, extensive co-curricular opportunities,
faith formation, and a robust service-learning program. The School’s holistic approach focuses on
helping every student reach their highest potential and build a strong foundation for a successful future
in college and beyond.
Westminster seeks a dynamic leader as its next Head of Upper School, starting July 2022. The successful
candidate will be an experienced, relational leader devoted to the School’s mission and program. The
Head of Upper School has oversight of all Upper School organizational activities and serves as the
division’s (grades 9-12) academic leader, fostering a climate of excellence and building deep community
among students, faculty, and staff. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the leadership team at an
independent school with deep roots and an unwavering commitment to student success.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 2
At a Glance
Total students: 1,900
Upper School students: 826
Class of 2020: 203
Students of color: 37%
Zip codes represented: 79
Total faculty: 325
Upper School faculty: 131
Faculty with advanced degrees: 81%
Student/teacher ratio: 5:1
Endowment: $317 million
Financial aid budget: $15.2 million
Students receiving financial aid: 38%
2021 State of the School Report: view here
THE SCHOOL
Westminster was founded in 1951 by Atlanta’s leaders as a learning community rooted in Christian
values and wholesome intensity. The School moved to its current campus in 1953 as the result of a
land grant by trustee Fritz Orr. It incorporated two girls schools, North Atlanta Presbyterian School and
Washington Seminary, into its student body early in its history. The resulting School was coeducational
until the sixth grade, with separate schools for boys and girls continuing through the grade 12 — a
practice that continued until 1986 and provided the basis of Westminster’s plural name.
The School has grown steadily in size and stature over the years. In 2006, Westminster ran a capital
campaign to raise $100 million to further increase its endowment. At the time, the campaign was the
third largest ever for an independent school.
Westminster’s tagline is “Love. Challenge. Lead. Change.” This mantra has made Westminster one
of the leading independent schools in the region and nation, with a deep commitment to academic
and programmatic excellence, cutting-edge curricula, Christian values, and diversity — resulting in an
overall reputation for excellence in precollegiate education.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 3
Westminster celebrates its growing diversity through protection and exploration of individual difference
articulated along a wide spectrum. The School has an ongoing commitment to hire and retain a passionate,
talented, and diverse faculty; to admit a gifted student body that reflects the diversity of Atlanta; and
to offer a rich and varied curriculum that prepares students to address local and global challenges
as citizens of the world. Alongside the School’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinators, affinity
groups for employees, students, and parents; professional development and work with consultants;
speakers and special guests; and cultural celebrations are just some of the ways Westminster helps
create a safe and welcoming environment.
Westminster’s Glenn Institute for Philanthropy and Service Learning provides opportunities for students
to address community and environmental needs through immersive service experiences. Westminster
also runs The Center for Teaching, devoted to helping teachers improve their understanding of the craft
of teaching.
Westminster is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges. Watch this video to
experience Westminster in action.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 4
UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMICS
Upper School challenges students to integrate an evolving sense of self with the needs and demands
of the world. The curriculum is designed to meet the demands of Atlanta’s most curious and motivated
minds, and classes incorporate experiential and service learning as well as character development.
Advisories help students set and meet their goals. By graduation, Westminster students have both the
skills and the wisdom to become tomorrow’s leaders.
In the Upper School, students typically take five or six academic courses per semester within a seven-
day rotating schedule, allowing them to engage in intensive study, fieldwork, and other enhanced
learning opportunities. Honors and Advanced Placement courses represent both a challenge and a
distinction for the exceptionally talented and motivated student. Students can also take a plethora of
elective courses in every area of study.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 5
Special programs for academic credit provide students with a range of activities not found in the
traditional school-year curriculum. Independent Study is an opportunity for seniors to work in depth on a
project or topic of serious interest. Students submit written proposals in the spring of the junior year and,
once approved, pursue summer work in preparation for the fall program of study. School Year Abroad,
of which Westminster is an associate member, allows students the chance to spend their junior year
studying abroad and living with a host family. Westminster is a member school of Chewonki Semester
School, a semester-long college preparatory program in Maine for motivated high school juniors and
Oxbow School, an arts-intensive semester school in California. Finally, Westminster is a member of
the Global Online Academy, an international consortium of the world’s leading independent schools,
through which students may enroll in online courses to complement the robust Westminster curriculum.
Outside of the courses and special program offered in the Upper School curriculum, a variety of trips
and experiences give students the opportunity to learn about and understand the diversity of people
and cultures in the United States and around the world. Every Upper School student participates in
JanTerm, an innovative three-week immersion experience full of hands-on activities to utilize skills and
develop knowledge across various disciplines. Through experiences in the classroom, as well as off-
campus field trips and opportunities for overnight travel, students focus on a single topic in great depth
and at an accelerated pace. The Westminster Discovery Program is a nationally renowned experiential
education and leadership program designed to create an Upper School experience that fosters a sense
of personal accomplishment and develops leadership skills while building community.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 6
College Matriculation
Among the colleges and universities
at which graduates from the classes
of 2017-2021 have enrolled are the
following:
American University
American University of Paris
Amherst College
Auburn University
Boston College
Brown University
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Claremont McKenna College
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvard College
Howard University
Johns Hopkins University
Kenyon College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Middlebury College
Morehouse College
Mount Holyoke College
New York University
Northwestern University
Oberlin College
Westminster’s team of five college counselors takes
Spelman College
a collaborative approach to encouraging every Stanford University
student to find the best-fit college or university by Swarthmore College
helping students identify and apply to colleges Trinity College, Dublin
where they’ll thrive. Through advising with families, Tulane University
visits from college representatives, educational University of California, Berkeley
events, and more, counselors at Westminster University of California, Los Angeles
provide excellent guidance, enabling students and University of Chicago
parents to craft an appropriate path in the college University of Denver
University of Georgia
application journey.
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas, Austin
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Williams College
Yale University
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 7
ARTS AND ATHLETICS
The Upper School arts program strives to create a strong sense of discipline in the advanced learner
while encouraging creativity and exploration. The visual arts program includes drawing and painting,
as well as 3-D design and digital imaging. The popular performing arts program includes a cappella,
chorus and chorale, ensemble, the chamber orchestra, the symphonic band, and the wind ensemble,
as well as the theater and dance programs. More than 30% of the Upper School is involved in the
theater program each year.
Athletics is an integral part of Westminster’s mission and includes a high level of participation in Upper
school. The program balances athletic achievement with a commitment to essential life skills — including
leadership and teamwork — that students will carry with them throughout their lives. With more than
280 state championships, the Wildcats are the most awarded athletic program in Georgia. Numerous
athletes go on to play at the collegiate level every year.
Westminster fields 86 athletic teams in sports including cross country, football, cheerleading, softball,
volleyball, basketball, squash, swimming and diving, wrestling, baseball, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis,
track and field, rowing, and gymnastics.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 8
SCHOOL LIFE
Westminster students lead, serve, learn, and grow in an exceptional roster of campus activities. When it
comes to traditions, the Pigskin Picnic is one of the community’s favorites. This outdoor dinner and pep
rally takes place before one of the first football games every year and draws students, parents, faculty,
staff, and alumni to campus. Blessing of the Backpacks is an Upper School tradition where students
circle together around their backpacks — surrounded by parents, siblings, and faculty — and begin the
year with prayer.
As an inclusive Christian school, Westminster honors the substance and practice of other religions and
seeks to support and encourage students of all faiths, beliefs, cultures, and backgrounds. The School
welcomes and learns from community members of many different religious traditions and believes
that such inclusion and respect for the dignity of all people are at the heart of Christianity and are
manifestations of a thriving and vibrant beloved community that produces lifelong learners who lead
with compassion and integrity. Westminster provides rich opportunities for spiritual growth, presenting
students with a variety of worship, service, fellowship, and leadership opportunities that enable students
to practice and strengthen their faith.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 9
Students in Upper School participate in a wide variety of clubs and activities that span a range of interests,
including academics, the arts, STEM, community service, languages, religion, sports, hobbies, student
government, social awareness, technology, and more. There are more than 60 student-led clubs in all.
Upper School students are offered numerous opportunities for leadership in all areas of student life,
such as serving as club officers, athletic captains, and on leadership councils. WCAT — Westminster’s
student-run and award-winning student broadcast program — is the recipient of the 2019 National
Student Production Award for Live Sports from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Service is part of the DNA at Westminster, as demonstrated by the School’s Glenn Institute for
Philanthropy. Through service learning tied to the curriculum and voluntary service to the community,
the Glenn Institute is a vital part of the School’s mission of creating leaders of conscience. Philanthropy
education is woven into the advisement curriculum, and rising seniors can enroll in the four-week
Philanthropy 101 summer program for an immersive look at philanthropy in Atlanta.
Much like on a college campus, Upper School students are given significant freedom. There are no
class bells, and students enjoy a variety of gathering spaces across campus and around the quad.
While academic and co-curricular expectations are high, students also benefit from support structures
including close student-teacher relationships, four-year advisories, a peer-run Writing Center, affinity
groups, and a student support team including counselors and learning support. Accordingly, Westminster
students feel safe to take the personal and academic risks that lead to growth.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 10Love. Challenge.
Lead. Change.
CAMPUS
The stunning Westminster School campus is set on 180 wooded acres in the residential Buckhead
community of Atlanta, located just 15 minutes north of downtown. Upper School classes are housed in
six buildings around the quad.
Westminster is in the final stages of implementing an extensive campus renovation to enhance
teacher-student connection. Campbell Hall received a complete renovation, with larger and brighter
classrooms and social spaces, offices, and learning areas that all exist in harmony. Hawkins Hall, a
new 28,000-square-foot Upper School academic building, includes additional spacious classrooms;
the Catalyst STEAM Lab promotes hands-on learning, integrated studies, and innovative pursuits of
all kinds; and grab-and-go dining. Wildcat Community Plaza, an outdoor gathering space, was recently
added, as was a new parking deck. Thompson Stadium was enhanced to include improved accessibility,
new seating, and improvements to concession and restroom areas. Barge Commons, the new “front
door” to campus, opened in 2021 and includes ample space for conferences and events alongside
classrooms, meeting rooms, and administrative offices.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 11ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Atlanta — the capital of Georgia and its most populous city with just over 500,000 residents (5.8 million in
the metro area) — is a beloved gem of the Southeast and one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
In recent decades, the city has attracted business from both domestic and international corporations
and greatly expanded its civic and cultural venues and activities; the city is home to the nation’s busiest
airport. As a major business center, Atlanta has the country’s third-largest concentration of Fortune 500
companies. Delta Air Lines is the city’s largest employer and operates one of the world’s largest airline
hubs. Media powerhouses based in Atlanta include Turner Broadcasting Company, which began in the
city, and CNN. Cox Communications is the nation’s third-largest cable service provider and publishes
over a dozen newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The city is a healthcare hub with
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory Healthcare, the largest hospital system in the area. Atlanta
is also home to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), as well as Coca-Cola, UPS,
and Home Depot.
With more than 30 colleges and universities located in the city, Atlanta is a center for higher education.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia State University are some of the city’s
most prominent institutions. Atlanta also has the largest consortium of historically black colleges,
comprised of Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of
Medicine, and the Interdenominational Theological Center.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 12Atlanta’s cultural offerings are rich. Highlights include the High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Center,
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and The
Center for Civil and Human Rights. The Carter Center was founded by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to
advance human rights worldwide and alleviate human suffering. Atlanta’s performing arts scene includes
the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Alliance Theater, Atlanta Opera, and Atlanta Ballet. Parks — like
Piedmont Park in Midtown, Downtown’s Centennial Olympic Park, and the Beltline that surrounds the
city — are prevalent throughout Atlanta, and it is common to see people taking advantage of these
urban oases with a game of Frisbee or a family picnic. The parks also provide the perfect locations for
Atlanta’s numerous festivals that bring people out in droves.
Atlanta residents are also avid sports fans, flocking to Truist Park to cheer on the MLB’s Braves, to State
Farm Arena to support the NBA’s Hawks or to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to root for the NFL’s Falcons
or the MLS’ Atlanta United. Meanwhile, families have access to a number of attractions including the
Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 13OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The next Upper School Head will have the opportunity to work with a talented, curious, and engaged
student body and faculty; strategic and supportive President; experienced and committed Upper School
leadership team; and tremendous institutional resources. The priorities, opportunities, and challenges
ahead include:
• Further nurturing the social and emotional wellbeing of the student and adult communities and
fostering a community of connection, care, and joy;
• Embracing and furthering Westminster’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing
the critical importance of nurturing student belonging as a prerequisite for student success;
• Designing and implementing systems and structures to ensure effective communication between
and among parents, faculty, and students;
• Carefully balancing 70 years of history and tradition with a commitment to evolving best practices,
innovation, and openness to new ideas;
• Nurturing students’ development as people of character, integrity, and service, who have the civil
discourse skills, grace, and compassion to engage and serve beyond Westminster’s gates; and
• Unifying the academic and co-curricular programs, working towards an even more fully integrated
student experience.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 14DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
The most competitive candidates will offer most or all of the following qualifications and qualities:
• Capacity to keep pace with a highly intellectual and high achieving community and the EQ to modulate
the pace to support and care for others;
• A thorough and demonstrated understanding of and affection for working with Upper School students
with energy, warmth, and humor;
• A desire to support the School’s Christian Mission and articulate it for the Upper School community;
• Personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the requisite skillfulness
to support student and faculty growth in this area and to facilitate critical conversations in the design
of more inclusive curriculum and programs;
• Demonstrated skill in building and maintaining connections and community between colleagues,
divisions, parents, and students; ability to prioritize visibility amidst the demands of a busy professional
schedule;
• Experience leading and managing adults in a complex organization;
• A history of thoughtful innovation moderated by a skillful and sensitive approach to change;
• The confidence and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite disagreement, and welcome feedback,
engaging in challenging conversations with grace;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with inspiration and clarity across a
wide range of audiences; and
• Classroom teaching experience and a track record of supporting and developing teaching faculty.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 15TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably
PDFs) the following materials:
• A cover letter expressing interest in this particular position; and
• A current résumé.
Selected candidates will also be asked to provide the following:
• Responses to writing prompts specific to this position; and
• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each.
(References will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission.)
Candidates are invited to contact the consultant in confidence and to submit a résumé and cover letter to:
Marsha Little
Search Consultant
marsha.little@carneysandoe.com
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 16You can also read
