THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL HEAD OF THE LOTSPEICH LOWER SCHOOL - Cincinnati, Ohio Start Date: July 1, 2021 7hills.org
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THE SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL
Cincinnati, Ohio
HEAD OF THE LOTSPEICH
LOWER SCHOOL
Start Date: July 1, 2021
7hills.org
THE PLACE
Imagine a school where students truly love to learn.
Where they learn by exploring: asking questions, gathering
information, making inferences.
Imagine a school where teachers really strive to cultivate each child’s
unique potential.
Where students are celebrated for who they are and what makes
them unique.
Imagine a school where students and teachers work together.
Where learning is collaborative and engaging and fun.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Now imagine leading that school.
Where children come, each morning, eager and excited,
committed and kind.
With a passionate faculty, dedicated to best practice and keen to
learn and grow.
Imagine
Colleagues who challenge and inspire you,
Parents who appreciate your efforts and value your expertise.
Imagine a warm, inclusive Lower School division, on its own intimate
sub-campus,
but with all of the resources of a larger school community.
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Mission Statement
Seven Hills engages our students’ hearts and minds, challenging them to develop their
unique abilities and preparing each for a meaningful role in a rapidly changing world.
OVERVIEW
One of the premier independent schools in the Midwest, The Seven Hills School is a non-denominational
independent school of approximately 1,000 K-12 students with two separate campuses in Cincinnati,
Ohio. At its core, the culture at Seven Hills celebrates human complexity. The school believes that
education is relationship-based and that students learn best when teachers fully understand their
interests, motivations, and learning styles. In an open and trusting environment, teachers guide students
through every chapter of their journey. In a diverse and inclusive community, students are celebrated for
the things that make them unique. Through a wide range of classes, signature programs, the arts, and
athletics, Seven Hills challenges students to be their best selves.
The Lotspeich Lower School (Pre-kindergarten for 2-year-olds through grade 5) is one of the two Lower
School divisions of The Seven Hills School. From their first day in Lower School to their last, students’
own interests help guide their daily experiences as they explore who they are. The Lower School is
an exciting and engaging environment, with teachers who ensure students are ready to learn, live,
contribute, and thrive within the community.
Seven Hills is seeking a Head of the Lotspeich Lower School to advance the educational philosophy
and mission of the Lower School. The successful candidate will be an experienced educational leader,
dedicated to fostering a climate of achievement and personal growth among students and faculty.
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a division in a highly regarded, forward-thinking independent
school.
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Fast Facts
Founded: 1906
Total students: 1,011
Lotspeich Lower School students: 245
Students of color: 39% schoolwide
Years of average teaching experience: 18 schoolwide
Average student/teacher ratio: 9:1 schoolwide
Students who attend a four-year college: 100%
Tuition assistance: $4 million available each year
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Seven Hills’ educational philosophy is encapsulated in five touchstone documents. The school Mission
Statement expresses the school’s commitment to teaching the whole child and to using engaging,
future-focused pedagogies.
“Seven Hills engages our students’ hearts and minds, challenging them to develop their unique abilities
and preparing each for a meaningful role in a rapidly changing world.”
The Statement of Educational Philosophy spells out how that mission is achieved. The Portrait of a
Graduate and the Seven Hills Values Statement describe some of the habits of mind and heart that the
school seeks to cultivate in its students, while the Seven Hills Method delineates some of the teaching
methods that best promote those outcomes. (Visit the school’s website for more.)
SCHOOL HISTORY
The Seven Hills School has roots reaching back to 1906, with the founding of the College Preparatory
School by Mary Harlan Doherty. Just a decade later, Helen Lotspeich founded the Clifton Open-Air
School to foster natural curiosity and the joy of learning in children around Cincinnati. In 1928, community
leaders founded the Hillsdale School as an alternative private education. In 1974, the merger of the
College Preparatory School and the Hillsdale-Lotspeich School brought these learning institutions
together to form the modern incarnation of The Seven Hills School.
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THE SCHOOL
Seven Hills is one school located on two campuses. The 48-acre Hillsdale Campus houses the Lotspeich
Lower School division (grades PreK2-5), the Middle School (grades 6-8), and the Upper School (grades
9-12). The seven-acre Doherty Campus, approximately 15 minutes away, houses the Doherty Lower
School, Seven Hills’ other Lower School division (grades PreK2-5, like Lotspeich).
At each stage of their journey at Seven Hills, students are guided by caring, supportive teachers, who get
to know each child’s unique potential. Each day, students experience a host of active, engaging activities
that make learning exciting and fun. Inspired by the school’s future-focused educational philosophy, the
school’s signature programs set Seven Hills apart by providing unique and innovative learning experiences
for students, expressly designed to stimulate, challenge, and inspire them. Over time, they explore every
aspect of themselves; they learn who they are, what they love, and what they may want to do with their lives.
And, in the end, students are ready to explore a wide new world of opportunity, as confident, passionate,
and engaged young people.
Equity, justice, and respect for others are driving imperatives at Seven Hills. The school embraces the
diversity of belief systems, ethnicity, and opinions that make up its community, and it seeks to help students
develop the cultural competence they will need to function in a rapidly changing global community. Within
all divisions, the curriculum includes units that engage students in exploring issues of equity and social
justice. Students are taught the importance of developing relationships and searching for the bridges
that connect us. Throughout the school, teachers and administrators foster a supportive atmosphere
where, regardless of similarities or differences, every student is an integral part of the fabric of the school
community.
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“I see my child thriving
at Seven Hills.”
- Lower School Parent
Seven Hills’ teachers are experts not only in their subjects, but in connecting with young people and
providing the unique approach that each student needs to learn and grow. They know developmental
milestones and how to motivate and inspire students. Teachers build close, supportive relationships
with their students, offering guidance and fostering confidence. They also love what they do. Seven
Hills is deeply committed to lifelong learning and dedicates considerable resources to the professional
growth and development of the faculty and to its signature Curriculum Development Grant Program,
which incentivizes collaborative program planning and curricular innovation.
Seven Hills is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the Ohio
Association of Independent Schools (OAIS) and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association
of the Central States (ISACS).
THE LOTSPEICH LOWER SCHOOL
One of the two Lower School divisions of The Seven Hills School, the Lotspeich Lower School division
has its own dedicated and very talented faculty, including not only 18 classroom teachers, but also 10
subject specialists in art, music, drama, science, math enrichment, Spanish, library, developmental
guidance, and physical education, as well as its own learning specialist and guidance counselor.
In addition to the Head of Lower School, the Director of the Early Childhood Program, Guidance
Counselor, and Co-Directors of the Enrichment and Summer Programs form the leadership team for
the Lotspeich Lower School. Additional support is provided by Curriculum Coordinators for Language
Arts, Social Studies, and Math, and by the Coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion.
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The Lotspeich Lower School serves 245 students, from two-year-olds through fifth grade, in five dedicated
buildings on the north end of the Hillsdale campus. Lotspeich students also share the use of Founders
Hall cafeteria, the Kalnow and Stoehr Gymnasia, a new four-court Fieldhouse, the 500-seat Schiff Center
for the Arts, and the school’s playing fields and tennis courts, with the Middle and Upper Schools.
Academics
In Lower School, children are excited and engaged. At every grade level, students explore topics
that challenge and inspire them. The core curriculum includes language arts, math, social studies,
science, Spanish, the arts (visual arts, drama, and music), and physical education. To make learning
as engaging as possible, expert teachers design stimulating, hand-on activities, focused on inquiry and
problem-solving. Teachers take to heart the belief that the curriculum must be relevant to each student,
and they continually evolve their curricula with new content, methods, and approaches to keep students
as active participants in their learning. Activities and lessons are created so students gain firsthand
knowledge and experiences that will stay with them for life. Teachers know their students well, and with
the support of learning specialists, they can give each student—the whole child—the care and attention
he or she needs.
Student Life
The Lower School experience is rounded out with technology and a variety of enrichment programs.
In different grades, students learn on iPads and desktop computers, and from first grade through fifth,
students make use of a wide variety of technologies to enhance their learning experiences.
Starting as early as Kindergarten, the school integrates community service into a Seven Hills education
so by the time students are fifth graders, they’ve participated in dozens of community service initiatives,
and they have begun to develop as thoughtful leaders.
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Seven Hills’ youngest students can expand their world even further with engaging clubs and activities
that give them opportunities to explore their interests, practice their leadership skills, and get involved
with their community.
The school’s signature programs give students the opportunity to expand their boundaries and learn in
the process. Signature programs in Lower School include Active Learning, Global Awareness, Design
Thinking, Learning Support, Social and Emotional Learning, Experiential Learning, Immersive Arts, and
Full-Participation Athletics.
LOTSPEICH FACILITIES
The 48-acre Hillsdale Campus houses the Lotspeich division of the Lower School (2-year-olds through
grade 5), the Middle School (grades 6-8), and Upper School (grades 9-12). The Hillsdale Campus is
comprised of 14 buildings, arranged into three sub-campuses, giving each division its own home and
providing safe, stimulating spaces for students to learn and grow. A number of shared facilities for
dining and community-building, the arts, athletics, and science and technology support the breadth of
the school’s educational program.
The Taft Early Childhood Center, built in 2016, houses approximately 100 students in PK2-K in nine
bright, well-equipped classrooms, a muscle room, a sky-lit atrium for assemblies and performances,
and two outdoor playscapes for a host of exploratory activities.
The Helen Lotspeich classroom building contains ten classrooms for grades 1-5, as well the Lotspeich
Library, a technology center, and additional classrooms for Before and Aftercare, the reading support
program, and the innovative Project Math program. The administrative wing provides contiguous
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office space for the Head of Lotspeich, the guidance counselor, reading specialist, and Co-Directors of
Aftercare and Summer Programs.
The Meckel Building provides classroom space for specialists in art, music, and Spanish. The Red Barn
provides classroom, rehearsal, and performance space for the drama program. The Leyman Science
Center houses a well-equipped science classroom/laboratory and a garden for hands-on exploratory
activities.
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Resting along the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is Ohio’s third largest city with a population of
around 300,000 in a greater metropolitan area of 2 million. Known for its street art (there are 100 murals
in the downtown area alone), thriving food and beer scenes (with over 40 different breweries), and
gorgeous architecture, Cincinnati is a great city to live and play in.
Cincinnati enjoys a diverse mix of unique neighborhoods, each with a culture of its own. From upscale
Hyde Park and the unique Clifton Gaslight District, to the incredible views of Mt. Adams and hip culture
of Northside, to the vibrant activity at The Banks, trendy vibes of Oakley, and everything in between,
each neighborhood in the city has its own personality.
Residents enjoy a low cost of living relative to other major cities around the country. In fact, U.S. News
& World Report ranked the city as the 10th most affordable city in the entire country for 2019. Cincy
is also very livable, despite being a busy city, with vibrant green spaces, public areas with dog parks,
nature centers with miles of hiking trails, parks with beautiful lakes like Sharon Woods, and hidden
gardens like Glenwood Gardens.
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The city is home to two major hospital systems that offer employment in the area in the form of UC
Health and TriHealth. Several financial institutions are based in Cincy, two of the larger ones being
Western & Southern Financial Group and Fifth Third Bank. In addition, the city is also home to several
major retail companies including Macy’s, The Kroger Company, and Proctor & Gamble.
A noted cultural center, Cincinnati has a symphony orchestra and ballet and theater ensembles. The
Cincinnati Opera is the second oldest opera company in the country. The Cincinnati Museum Center
includes a children’s museum and museums of history and of natural history and science. The Cincinnati
Art Museum and Taft Museum of Art have noted collections. Cincinnati is home to several colleges and
universities, including University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, the College of Mount St. Joseph, and
nearby Miami University.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The last several years have been a time of rapid growth and development for Seven Hills as a whole
and for the Lotspeich Lower School in particular. The school has a talented faculty, a strong, innovative
program, and ample, well-designed facilities to support student learning. Here are some of the
opportunities and challenges for the years ahead.
• The new Head will follow a retiring school leader with a long and productive tenure at Lotspeich.
While we expect that the new Head will honor the school’s history and traditions, this is an exciting
opportunity for a strong new leader to bring a fresh, innovative perspective.
• Seven Hills operates two strong Lower School divisions on two different campuses. The next Head
of Lower School at Lotspeich will have an opportunity to work alongside the Head of Lower School
at Doherty to coordinate the two Lower School programs even more closely.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 10• Newly appointed Lotspeich curriculum coordinators for Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math
have been charged with working alongside their Doherty colleagues to align the curriculum between
the two schools. The new Head will work closely with the Head of Doherty to guide and support that
process.
• Like many independent schools, Seven Hills has experienced enrollment challenges in its Lower
Schools. Though the Lotspeich division has enjoyed strong demand, the next Head will have to
work closely with the admissions and marketing teams to articulate the school’s unique “value
proposition,” especially to families considering options in resurgent public schools.
• As with any new Head, the next Lotspeich Head must earn the respect and admiration of Lotspeich
faculty and staff, sustaining and building upon a culture that supports their growth and development,
both as individuals and as members of a high functioning team.
• The new Head will need to find ways to improve communication both between teachers and individual
families, and between the school leadership and the parent body as a whole.
DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
For its next Head of Lotspeich, Seven Hills seeks a/an:
• Community Builder – someone who is able to create a sense of welcome for students and parents
alike, and in doing so has the cultural competency to make all feel included and uplifted.
• Educational Expert – someone whose knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning stems
from experience teaching at grade level and is supported by academic study and professional
development.
• Confident Leader of People – someone who listens to understand first, who has a collaborative/
supportive leadership style, particularly vis-à-vis faculty, and who possesses sound judgement.
CARNEYSANDOE.COM 11• Communicator – someone who speaks and writes clearly and can adjust his or her style to the
varying needs of a wide range of constituents.
• 21st Century Educator – someone who has grappled with how to best incorporate technology into
the curriculum, and who has ideas and experience with experiential education, social-emotional
learning, student wellness, etc.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Practitioner – someone who displays cultural competency in hiring
and retention, program development, and relationship building.
TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents
(preferably PDFs) the following materials:
• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A one-page statement of educational philosophy and practice;
• 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) to:
John Faubert
Senior Consultant
john.faubert@carneysandoe.com
Namita Bhattacharya
Assisting John Faubert
namita.bhattacharya@carneysandoe.com
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