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GRACE CHURCH SCHOOL , New York

HEAD OF SCHOOL Start Date: July 2022 gcschool.org Mission Statement School aims to establish in its students firmly rooted confidence in themselves and their abilities. Because we believe that school experience sets the foundation for lifelong intellectual and social growth, we strive to develop in each student mental keenness, physical confidence, pleasure in learning, and the skills basic to understanding one’s self and the world. Our structured curriculum, enriched with broad opportunities for creative expression, assumes as fundamental the mastery of a specific range of academic skills, especially the ability to express one’s own ideas and to appraise those of others.

Yet the educational goals of the school are broader than intellectual and social development. We nurture in our students a steady, affectionate trust in themselves and their world, made resilient by the interaction of different ethnic, religious, and socio-economic influences. We strive to help each student develop an active ethical consciousness, supported by close acquaintance with Judeo- Christian beliefs and enhanced by the beauty and faith inherent in Grace Church.

We encourage a mutually supportive relationship between family and school. We aim to have students graduate from with a strong sense of self, able to think clearly, function well academically, and embrace coming challenges with confidence.

OVERVIEW

For over a century, Grace Church School has been enriching its students’ lives by weaving tenets of the Episcopal school tradition—social justice, community engagement, ethics, and personal integrity—into a rigorous, thoughtfully evolved curriculum. Families who join Grace do so because the school offers an outstanding academic experience within an inclusive, diverse, and accepting community.

Grace, a coeducational located on two campuses in downtown , serves approximately 770 students across grades JK-12. It is a thriving and vibrant place where committed teachers and eager students are absorbed in the exciting process of learning and growing. The school is committed to excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts, and is a culturally inclusive and caring community. Grounded in tradition and open to innovation, Grace has a long history of incorporating best practices into its pedagogy and educational programs to create a dynamic and challenging experience for its students. Deeply embedded within the DNA of the school is a fundamental belief that all members of the Grace community participate toward the greater good. As one teacher said, “What I love most about this school is that every member of the community subscribes to the idea that we’re all important contributors. If you’re affiliated with Grace, you know that you’re cared for, and you care for others in return.”

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 2 Fast Facts Founded: 1894 Current enrollment: 771 Students of color: 33% Students who receive financial aid: 28% Student-faculty ratio: 5:1 Total faculty: 142 Faculty of color: 30% Faculty with advanced degrees: 75% Endowment: $41M

Long-time Head of School George P. Davison announced he will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Mr. Davison will have served at Grace for 35 years, including 28 as Head of School. The school now seeks a new Head of School, effective July 2022. The next leader will serve as educational leader of the school, collaborating with the Board of Trustees, division heads, deans, team leaders, directors, and departments while working to embrace the next chapter in the school’s rich history. It will be important that the next leader fully embraces the school’s Episcopal tradition and mission, maintaining its reputation for excellence while leading the school into the future.

SCHOOL HISTORY

The school began in 1894 as ’s first choir boarding school with an enrollment of 16 boys. In the 1930s, the school opened its doors to neighborhood boys who were not choristers. And in 1947, Grace became coeducational, enrolling boys and girls representing various religious faiths, and becoming a member of the Guild of Independent Schools of New York City. The school began to expand its facilities in the 1970s to accommodate a growing student body, an expansion that has continued into the 21st century. In 2006, the school legally separated from Grace Church, purchasing the buildings that it occupies and executing a long-term ground lease with the Church. In September 2012, Grace’s High School Division opened its doors at 46 to the inaugural ninth grade class, graduating the first class of seniors in May 2016.

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 3 SCHOOL VALUES

Since its founding, Grace Church School has integrated an ethical sensibility into its academic program by addressing the moral, personal, and spiritual development of students alongside their intellectual growth. The qualities that make Grace Church School special are evident in every classroom and activity: students take pleasure in learning, and there is a seriousness of purpose combined with an abiding respect for others.

The Episcopal school tradition recognizes the unique, intrinsic worth of every person. In this spirit, Grace welcomes families of all religions or no religion at all. Grace seeks out a rich diversity of students, families, faculty, and staff, and strives to instill in its students a deep respect for differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and culture. In practice, the school’s Episcopal identity is expressed in four key areas of school life: 1) equity, inclusion, and social justice; 2) service learning; 3) chapel and the school Chaplain; and 4) religion and ethics.

The school believes that antiracism, equity, and belonging are not only the hallmarks of a just society, but also virtues essential to an ethical . To this end, Grace is intentionally inclusive. A reverence for the dignity of each individual informs all aspects of school life. The school’s efforts in these areas are supported by a variety of groups, including the Institutional Culture Committee (which provides oversight at the Board level), the Office of Community Engagement (Dean of Equity and Inclusion, Deans of Student Life and Community Life, and Divisional Faculty Liaisons), and the Diversity Council (parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees). The school’s programs include alliance and affinity groups, Safe Space Advocates specially trained to support students, extensive professional development for faculty, special events, a book club, discussion groups for parents, and additional resources.

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 4 ACADEMICS

Grace has a long tradition of high academic expectations. The curriculum is designed to impart consistent values across the divisions while providing developmentally appropriate opportunities and subject matter to each student. The school seeks traditional outcomes while encouraging teachers to use innovative practices to best serve each student. The Pedagogy of Joy—a commitment to each student that they feel safe, connected, have a sense of fulfillment, and that they develop a positive self-concept—is the driving spirit of teaching at Grace. Students at Grace develop an active ethical consciousness, which pushes their learning from the classroom to the school community and beyond.

Early Childhood The educational experience in Junior Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grade 1 fosters the foundation of ethics and goodness. Grace’s goal is to instill a joy of learning and an appreciation for the ideas and feelings of others. The classrooms offer a safe, language-rich environment where children learn through play and experience. Creativity is nurtured, friendships are strengthened, new learning opportunities are explored, and individual—as well as group—accomplishments are celebrated.

Lower School In Grades 2 through 4, students begin to develop a true love of learning as they assume more responsibility and become engaged and independent thinkers. Grace offers a rich elementary school experience with a wide-ranging approach to academics. Cognizant of the many learning styles students bring to the classroom, lessons intertwine a variety of multi-sensory teaching approaches to foster thinking and learning in varied ways. Children are encouraged to take risks as they learn and progress, thus reinforcing the value of mistakes in enriching the learning process.

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 5 College Matriculation The following is a selection of the colleges and matriculated to by the classes of 2016-2020:

American Connecticut College Elon University George Washington University Lafayette College McGill University Middlebury College Northeastern University Middle School Oberlin College Students in Grades 5 through 8 learn to assume greater Pennsylvania State University responsibility and feel confident in the face of more Pitzer College complex academic and social experiences. The value of Pomona College self-discipline and good study habits are reinforced as they are introduced to new areas of intellectual, artistic, Rhode Island School of Design and social challenge. Classes in character education and service learning in all Middle School grades contribute to the personal growth of students. In addition, cultural Smith College diversity and global viewpoints are incorporated St. John’s College throughout the curriculum. In each of the three trimesters, Syracuse University students choose from a long and varied list of elective courses, ranging from the arts to languages to current events. Beginning in Grade 5, students change classes for each subject and assume the responsibility of following their individual programs. University of Miami High School High School students receive the skills, knowledge, University of Wisconsin and experience they need to live in the world they will inhabit. To that end, the program has been designed to Wake Forest University meet the particular needs of adolescents including a six- Wesleyan University day rotating schedule with a fixed “Lab Day” each week. Williams College The curriculum is rigorous and provides each student a broad base of learning about human cultures across

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 6 history, geography, and literature, as well as strong math and science courses. The program affords each student the opportunity to develop and pursue individual passions and interests through the year-long sophomore independent project, “majors” in the arts and sciences, and the opportunity to take advanced classes at and NYU. High School students at Grace Church School distinguish themselves as leaders and innovators after graduating and moving on to leading colleges and universities.

ARTS AND ATHLETICS

The arts program at Grace provides a comprehensive education in visual art, dance, music, and drama. The curriculum teaches art for art’s sake, valuing all that artistic expression has to offer. It focuses on individual thought and the development of creativity while teaching the necessary skills to produce art that is both meaningful and aesthetically pleasing. Music and musical theater remain particularly strong programs at Grace. Using New York City as a cultural resource, classes regularly visit museums, galleries, and architectural sites, and attend theater, music, and dance performances.

Students at Grace participate in physical education classes starting in Early Childhood and may compete on interscholastic competitive teams beginning in Grade Five. Team sports include soccer, volleyball, , , and . Individual sports include , fencing, , swimming, track and field, and cross country. At the High School level, there are full Varsity and Junior Varsity programs. Grace Church School is a member of both the ACIS (Athletic Conference of Independent Schools) and the PSAA (Private School Athletic Association).

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 7 SCHOOL LIFE

Families choose Grace Church School for its strong academic tradition and its welcoming community. In addition to challenging academics, creative expression through the arts, and a commitment to athletic excellence, students grow in an environment of active, ethical learners. Life at Grace Church School is full of opportunities for self-exploration, learning across ages, and seeing the world through a diverse lens.

Life outside the classrooms is rich. There are endless opportunities for students to develop new interests and pursue their passions. Extra-curriculars include competitive athletic teams, musical and dramatic productions, Middle and High School student government, and producing the literary magazine or yearbook. Programs like Book Buddies (Middle Schoolers read to younger students), Cross-Grade Connection (informal weekly discussion group for students in grades 5-8), and Peer Leadership (juniors help lead Cross-Grade Connection and seniors help advise ninth graders) offer opportunities for students across grade levels to connect, interact, and learn from one another. The longstanding Grace International Exchange Program offers school exchanges between Grace and schools abroad for students in Grades 7-12. Students have studied in Japan, China, India, the UK, and France, among other countries. Finally, a variety of clubs are offered in High School, which are student-designed, and an 80-minute period is devoted to clubs each week. Current offerings include Improv, Students Active for Gender Equality (SAGE), World Issues, DIASPORA, and Amazing Grace.

The Chapel program serves students of all faiths and no faith. Chapel provides a space apart, a still point in the day where all may slow down, reflect, relax, think, feel, or pray. Chapel takes place in Grace Church and four times per year serves as the one central gathering place for the entire school community during All School Chapel. Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 students attend chapel once a week while High School students attend chapel once every other week and have a community-wide gathering in the alternate weeks. Families are welcome at Early Childhood and Lower School Chapel. High School students play important roles in the planning of their Chapel gatherings. CARNEYSANDOE.COM 8 Service is an integral part of life at Grace. It is a community that serves; therefore its students are encouraged to extend their academic learning to improve their world via an extensive list of local and global opportunities and experiences. Students in each grade work to develop and carry out a class service project. Additionally, Middle School students begin in-house community service in Grade 5, graduating to a service learning program with local and global organizations in Grades 7 and 8. High School students participate in a service learning program that culminates in a team-based independent project completed in their junior or senior year. Families are invited to join in service efforts through Family Community Service Day, organized by the Parents Association every year. The Parents Association itself is an example of the active and committed parent body. They plan multiple community events throughout the year including the annual Auction for Financial Aid.

CAMPUS

The downtown location of Grace Church School sets it apart from other independent schools in New York City. The school’s culture is infused with the hum and activity of its /Union Square setting. While the school leverages all the benefits of being part of a large city, Grace also values the more relaxed and neighborly feel of where its campus is located.

Grace occupies two separate physical campuses: one at 86 Fourth Avenue (Junior Kindergarten-Grade 8) and another at 46 Cooper Square (Grades 9-12). Combined, these two campuses offer all of the resources students and faculty need to realize the school’s mission and prepare graduates for life beyond Grace. There are seven science labs (with dedicated labs for biology, chemistry, physics, and research) in addition to two computer labs, as well as a Design Lab for Robotics, , and Technology. All classrooms are equipped to leverage smartboard and tablet technology.

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 9 The Stokes Library (86 Fourth Avenue) is home to books, periodicals, and online resources and is an invaluable resource to students and faculty across disciplines. The same goes for the Library and Information Center (46 Cooper Square), which houses books, periodicals, and essential e-resources and databases.

Grace has 10 art studios for 2D and 3D visual and digital arts, plus a wood shop, and performance spaces and practice rooms for dance, music, and drama. Grace has two outdoor playgrounds where students can hone gross motor skills. The school just added a new 12,000 square foot gymnasium, fitness room, and golf simulator at the Cooper Square campus, which is a fantastic complement to its 10,000 square foot athletic center that contains a climbing wall and batting cage, as well as full size regulation basketball court and volleyball court. Grace further ensures its students learn how to care for themselves and their environment with its Rooftop Greenhouse, a laboratory for students to explore how plants and food are grown in an urban environment, and a Teaching Kitchen.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

New York City, with an estimated population over 8.5 million, is the most populous city in the and is situated on a massive natural harbor. The metro area of New York truly offers something for every type of interest. New York is home to some of the best entertainment and arts venues in the world, including theaters, concert halls, and sports stadiums. With every type of culture represented in its expansive five boroughs, each of which has a distinct identity, truly is an American melting pot.

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 10 New York is a global power city with significant influence in nearly every sector, from finance to the arts. Any resident or visitor will attest that the attractions offered in its quarters are, quite literally, unparalleled. The City offers stunning views from the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, and One World Observatory. For those who prefer to keep sightseeing at ground-level, the City has an ever- changing rotation of shows and a breathtaking range of permanent exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum, and New York Hall of Science, as well as at countless small-scale galleries. Additionally, adults and children alike can enjoy thrilling performances on Broadway, and at the Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Barclays Center, among other venues.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Grace Church School seeks a Head of School who will embrace its mission and enthusiastically join this special school community. The school provides an experience that sets the foundation for lifelong intellectual and social growth, and it strives to develop in each student mental dexterity, self-confidence, and a proclivity toward civic engagement and social justice.

In addition to being actively engaged in the daily life and operations of running a complex JK-12 school, the new Head of School will be expected to:

• Serve as a visible and approachable presence in the lives of students and families in each division on both campuses; • Nurture the strong sense of connectedness that has characterized the school community for generations;

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 11 • Review and refine the academic through-lines of the school from the lower grades up to the high school with a commitment to sustaining the school’s core strengths while also initiating certain changes to foster growth and long-term viability; • Embrace the school’s relationship with Grace Church and with its Episcopal identity which is expressed in four key areas of school life: social justice, service, Chapel, and religion and ethics; • Enthusiastically champion fundraising and advancement initiatives with an eye toward long-term financial sustainability; • Reassess, in conjunction with the Board and school leadership, the school’s strategic plan to determine how to most productively position the school moving forward; • Promote a robust commitment to social justice and inclusion throughout every dimension of the school, including admissions and hiring; • Advance the school’s commitment to improving the physical plant, buildings, and grounds; • Create an environment that nurtures, evaluates, and supports the school’s outstanding faculty as they commit to improving the learning experience.

DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Search Committee will consider a wide range of accomplished educational leaders for this role. Candidates who are most likely to advance will offer many of the following qualifications and qualities:

• Integrity, and a steadfast moral compass, which embodies Grace’s ethical values; • Proven track record of strong and successful leadership experience; • Commitment to academic excellence; • Commitment to the Episcopal values and traditions of the school and an openness to embracing the school’s spiritual identity;

CARNEYSANDOE.COM 12 • Demonstrable experience in advancing antiracism, equity, and belonging, and a genuine passion to advance these values across constituencies; • A financial acumen and a capacity to navigate complex budgeting matters; • A forward-looking perspective with respect to educational best practice and innovation with an eye toward enhancing the school’s academic experience; • A leadership style that is characterized by both empathy in terms of connecting with a broad range of perspectives and also backbone in terms of the capacity to make strong and difficult decisions; • An inspiring communicator who can elevate the discourse both externally and internally; • An enthusiastic fundraiser and storyteller who will raise the profile of the school and advance philanthropic initiatives; • A steadfast eagerness to engage on a regular basis with students, faculty, parents, and alumni, and an openness to hearing all perspectives.

TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position; • A current résumé; • A writing sample (e.g., article, speech, blog post, etc.) pertaining to leadership and/or educational issue.

Should you advance in the search, you will eventually also be asked to share a list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission). Materials should be sent to:

Rachel Friis Stettler Senior Consultant [email protected]

Brandon Jacobs Associate [email protected]

Devereaux McClatchey President [email protected]

Robert Vitalo Senior Consultant [email protected]

Jessica Wright Director of School Services, President’s Office [email protected]

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