The Steward School

Richmond, Virginia Director of Admissions Start Date: July 2019 www.stewardschool.org Mission Fast Facts To prepare our Number of students: 646 students for Target class size: 17 Number of faculty: 73 college and for life Percent of faculty who hold an advanced degree: 50% in a community Student/faculty ratio: 8 to 1 defined by robust Percent of students who identify as a person of color: 27% Number of countries represented by student body: 6 academics, inspiration, Campus size: 37 acres engagement, and care. Interscholastic athletics: 43 teams in 12 sports (grades 6-12)

Overview

The Steward School, which serves boys and girls in junior kindergarten through grade 12, is both a rigorous academic environment and a place for boundless imagination. With a college-preparatory curriculum, small classes, myriad extracurricular offerings, and an in-school tutoring program, Steward celebrates each student’s individual interests in academics, athletics, fine arts, community service, and clubs. Steward strives to empower its students to solve problems, take initiative, and become their own best selves. Perhaps this is expressed most directly through the school’s tagline: Fuel the mind. Stir the imagination. Unleash the possibilities.

Diversity is an integral part of what makes Steward a dynamic, vibrant place to teach and learn. At Steward, all are welcomed, respected, and valued. This is the way Steward community members want to lead their lives on and off campus, and, by doing so, the community has cleaved to a philosophy that allows its children and adults to lead impactful lives.

Steward is seeking a new Director of Admissions (DOA) who understands the beauty of a student’s imagination, the inherent value in small classes and care for each student, and the importance of a community that embraces diversity as one of its greatest assets. During the last application cycle, Steward received 273 applicants for 181 open spots; 118 of those students ultimately enrolled at Steward. With an admissions yield of 65%, Steward seeks a DOA who can help the school maintain its competitive presence among peer schools, while successfully facilitating the growth of a heterogenous student body.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com School History

In 1972, educational pioneer Helen Dixon founded The Steward School in a church basement in the west end of Richmond as a small, non-sectarian, coeducational alternative to the larger private schools in the area. The first class graduated a total of three students in 1977. Steward has grown to a student body of nearly 650 students in grades junior kindergarten through 12.

As this history shows, the small class size at Steward is part of its legacy. Steward today is large enough to provide the resources for students to explore diverse interests and curiosities across academics, the arts, and athletics, and small enough to give them the personalized attention they need in order to pursue these interests.

The School

At Steward, teachers engage students with hands-on learning paired with rigorous academic study. A Steward education is about more than memorizing facts—faculty recognize that in the 21st century, facts are as easy to come by as a Google search. Students not only gain knowledge, but they also learn to apply that knowledge, to create, and to innovate with it as they connect global thought leadership with interactive problem-solving opportunities. This environment helps shape today’s students into the type of learners the world will need in the future.

Experiential learning comes to life in every classroom including the Bryan Innovation Lab, as well as in demonstration kitchens, gardens, and wetlands. The Bryan Innovation Lab is a 21st-century, cutting- edge facility. Through problem solving and experiential learning in a hands-on environment, students

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com are able to grapple with real-world issues, challenging their critical thinking and resourcefulness. All students have access to the Bryan Lab, working on interdisciplinary projects such as the Growing Leaders Club and the Robotics team. Programs often merge academics with the professional world through visiting speakers and presenters.

Throughout the year and across disciplines, The Steward School celebrates the broad range of talents and abilities offered by its student population. Of course, the faculty and staff value and celebrate traditional academic achievement, but they also believe that each child is an individual and should be treated as such; embracing differences is an integral piece of becoming fully educated at Steward. Similarly, Steward’s curriculum, arts, extracurricular programming, and service opportunities serve to reinforce the concept that a genuine understanding of other cultures, their histories, and perspectives is essential to becoming a citizen in today’s global society. Steward offers a personalized educational experience through after-school care, summer camps, interdisciplinary projects, and innovative Minimesters with internship and travel abroad opportunities.

The use and integration of technology with learning is essential to student growth and development. With the launch of a 1:1 program for all students in the fall of 2014, every Steward student has access to a device during the school year. In grades JK-8, iPads loaded with apps are available to every student, and Upper School students are responsible for bringing their own devices every day.

The Steward School is acutely aware that education can be costly and is firmly committed to providing access to students and families from all socio-economic levels. Steward’s Variable Tuition program adjusts tuition based on each family’s individual financial situation. Steward proudly provides more than $2 million annually (to 31% of Steward families) to reduce the tuition burden on families each year.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com “Compass 2022: Charting Our Course,” Steward’s strategic plan is designed to ensure that the school’s program will model innovation and creativity, its approaches will honor passion and engagement, and its school community will inspire pride and commitment now and for generations to come. Five specific initiatives, accompanied by milestones and guideposts, are guiding the school down a path of fearless innovation, respect for tradition, and partnership with the greater Richmond region: Steward in the Community; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Modern Teaching and Learning; Health and Wellbeing; and Steward for Life. For details of the plan, click here.

Steward is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), the Southern Associations of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE). Steward is a member of Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE), Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Independent School Management (ISM), Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC), National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), and National Business Officers Association (NBOA).

Academics

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Through play and academic exploration, junior kindergarten and kindergarten encourage students’ natural curiosity. In Steward’s program, children are actively engaged in hands-on, multisensory, and collaborative learning. This “whole child” approach engages students and helps them develop cognitive and creative skills from a very young age, as well as cross-curricular learning. Students are also encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, practice developmentally appropriate emotional

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 5 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com and social habits, and grow academically and personally. Junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes are integrated into the overall school, allowing students to actively participate in the greater Steward community.

Lower School (Grades 1-5) From an early age, Steward students discover that the world is a fascinating place. Field trips, performances, and community service are creatively integrated into the academic curriculum in Lower School to complement academics, arts, and athletics.

With Steward’s signature small class sizes and high degree of personal attention, Lower School students are introduced to a broad range of topics and concepts. In the process of exploring core curriculum topics, Steward students gain skills in asking questions, reasoning, and solving problems. By the end of Lower School, Steward students know a great deal about the world, want to know more, and have laid the foundation to become capable and caring individuals.

Middle School (Grades 6-8) As students move into adolescence, exciting opportunities for character development and academic adventure emerge. Academics, fine arts, technology, and athletics are at the center of the Middle School curriculum, and Steward’s small classes allow teachers to engage each student, closely monitor progress, and provide extra help as needed.

While Steward teachers enable each student to reach his or her potential across all disciplines, they understand that many lessons are learned outside the classroom. Accordingly, Steward students participate in community service, field trips, and extracurricular activities.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 6 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com College Placement The 52 members of the Class of 2018 attended the following colleges and universities:

Berry College Boston University The Catholic University of America Christopher Newport University Drexel University Elon University Emerson College Hampden-Sydney College James Madison University Longwood University Loyola University Maryland Lynchburg College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Old Dominion University Pennsylvania State University In Middle School, Steward’s Honor Code influences every facet Queens University of Charlotte of student life. Steward teaches students to act with integrity and Randolph-Macon College reap the benefits of teamwork, citizenship, and stewardship. Reynolds Community College Rhodes College Upper School (Grades 9-12) Roanoke College While competition is an unavoidable part of adult life, Steward Savannah College of Art and Upper School students thrive in an atmosphere that does not Design place competition above character, balance, and self-confidence. Sewanee: The University of the By capitalizing on the deeper relationships built in a small school South environment, Steward’s Upper School nurtures these traits and TOVO Academy/Barcelona strikes a balance between support and challenge. For example, Language College upon entering Upper School, the Advisory Program matches The University of Miami each student with his or her own advisor. This advisor supports University of Notre Dame that student through the complexities he or she may face during University of Southern California these important years. University of Tennessee, Knoxville Five core courses—English, social studies, mathematics, foreign University of Vermont language, and science—plus one or more elective comprise Vassar College a typical Steward Upper School schedule. To keep students Virginia Commonwealth challenged and engaged along their academic journeys, Steward University offers numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses. In Virginia Tech partnership with local innovators and business owners, the school’s Wake Forest University Entrepreneurship Studies program allows students increased Washington University in St. opportunities for entrepreneurship education. Students who earn Louis enough credentials graduate with a diploma endorsement in entrepreneurship.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 7 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com In grade-level seminars, Upper School students explore the fundamentals of design research, health and wellness, writing, and public speaking. Students create their own unforgettable and diverse experiences during a one-week Minimester program that includes internships, community service, foreign and domestic travel, and the capstone Senior Project. Extracurricular activities are especially popular among Upper School students because they allow students to explore a wide variety of passions and curiosities, which, in turn, enriches and invigorates the community.

Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to attend meetings with college representatives who visit the Steward campus and, as early as freshman year, students begin touring colleges. The overnight junior college tour is often the most important component of the application process because it exposes the students to a variety of school types. Students leverage this experience to consider what type of school really fits them, which helps guide the counselor’s recommendations through the rest of the process.

Arts and Athletics

Whether setting the stage, striking a chord, creating a masterpiece, or simply exploring individual talents and interests, exposure to the arts does so much more than satisfy a course requirement for the students at Steward. The arts are a necessary component in the overall development of a well- rounded student. Furthermore, by providing students with multiple creative outlets, Steward nurtures a broad array of talents, builds confidence, and helps students discover new callings.

In 2005, Steward’s Fine Arts Department introduced the Artist-in-Residence program, giving students the unique experience of working with and learning from artists in a variety of mediums. Through this

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 8 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com program, students work directly with professional artists, who subsequently become mentors and are available to teach, guide, and answer questions throughout the process of creating works of art, both visual and performing.

Steward’s athletic program focuses on development, both of the individual and the team. Because of Steward’s purposeful small size, coaches are able to get to know each Spartan on and off the field. At all levels, the program focuses on developing the whole athlete, emphasizing skill as well as character, confidence, leadership, and teamwork.

Currently, the athletic department supports more than 40 competitive teams, which include participation from about 80% of Middle and Upper School students. Steward’s competitive sports include , , cheerleading, cross country, , , lacrosse, track, soccer, swimming and diving, , and . The school has won state tournaments in both tennis and golf in recent years, and, last fall, all of their varsity athletic teams competed at states.

School Life

Steward’s culture is rooted in the ethic of care: care for oneself, care for others, care for the school community, and care for a cause greater than oneself. So, no matter the discipline or age-level, the Steward curriculum reinforces responsible citizenship and encourages students to care for a cause beyond oneself. Steward believes in the dignity of every individual member of its community; each child and adult should feel welcome, safe, included, and connected. The synergy between education and community is designed to help Steward students grow into adults who can facilitate positive change.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 9 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Caring at Every Level Lower School students learn the value of community early, as they participate in activities ranging from one-on-one school buddy programs to international projects, such as Pinwheels for Peace.

Each year, the Middle School adopts an organization in the greater Richmond area. Led by the Student Council, the students raise money and provide in-kind gifts and services for the chosen charity.

Each member of the Upper School spends a portion of his or her time involved in civic engagement. The program has had great success in reinforcing Steward’s commitment to the greater Richmond community, supporting diverse organizations, and providing students with hands-on, collaborative experiences while cultivating a strong spirit of leadership and public service.

LEAP The Latino Education and Advancement Program (LEAP) is the flagship program of The Steward School’s Avanzando (“moving forward”) Latino Education Initiative. LEAP has been introducing Richmond-area Latino students to the fundamentals of independent school educational and academic experiences since 2007. Moreover, this four-week summer program enriches and supports the education of Latino students no matter what school they attend currently or in the future.

LEAP is targeted to Latino students entering grades 8-12. The program offers a rigorous, enriched college-preparatory curriculum in ESL, Spanish for native speakers, math, and technology, with segments on study skills and English language skills. The program also focuses on SAT preparation in English and math, as well as college counseling for rising 11th and 12th-grade students. The ultimate goal of LEAP is to offer opportunities to Richmond-area Latino youth that enable—and empower—these students to prepare for the future.

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Located in Richmond, Virginia on 37 acres, The Steward School has a stunning campus that boasts five academic buildings including Steward’s most recent addition in 2013, the Bryan Innovation Lab; a $10 million Center for the Arts; a world-class athletic center; three athletic fields; a state-of-the-art baseball stadium; and tennis courts.

The Steward School relocated to its current campus at Gayton and Ryandale Roads in January 1973 from its humble beginnings in a church basement. The original structure, Dixon Hall, included classrooms, a library, a multipurpose room, and administrative offices and is now home to the Lower School.

G. Thomas Taylor Hall was completed in 1993 to serve as the math/science building, followed by Cosby Hall, a major addition to Taylor Hall, in 1999. Taylor and Cosby Halls now house the Upper School, which was renovated and expanded again in 2009 as a part of the capital campaign, Building a Legacy. One Steward at a Time.

The original gymnasium, built in 1977, was torn down after the completion of the current Athletic Center during the summer of 2000.

The Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts opened in the fall of 2002, establishing a dramatic focal point for The Steward School’s rapidly growing campus. Completed in the same year, Wilton Hall includes administrative offices, a boardroom, and the Middle and Upper School Library.

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The Richmond region is a dynamic meeting of the city of Richmond, the town of Ashland, and the four counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan. In a few short minutes, one can go from bustling downtown streets to rolling hills on farms, gorgeous trails in state parks, wineries, or world-class shopping. With sports facilities, walkable neighborhoods, restaurants, and a budding craft beer scene (over 15 breweries) across the region, you’re never far from something fun and delicious.

The metropolitan Richmond region, also known by the term RVA, is home to 1.3 million people and is often recognized as one of America’s most vibrant and thriving cities. For example, Time magazine recently named RVA the #2 living destination for millennials, U.S. News and World Report ranked it in the top 25 best places to live, and Richmond was recognized as a top 25 “most exciting food city” by Zagat. By many accounts, Richmond’s future is extremely bright.

Why is RVA now recognized as one the best places to live, play, learn, and work in America? There are a number of interconnected answers.

The area’s quality of life is exceptional by almost every measure. Richmond boasts more than 40 parks comprising more than 1,500 acres within the city. Outdoor recreation abounds, helping the region progress toward its stated goal to become the most physically active community in the nation. The James River winds around the region and runs right through the downtown area. Miles of rafting, fishing, birding, biking and walking trails contribute to Richmond’s designation as the “best river town in America” by Outside Magazine (2013).

Richmond offers world-class visual and performing arts. Residents and visitors enjoy nationally acclaimed museums, such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with more than 22,000 works of

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 12 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com art from around the world and noteworthy collections of Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Modern and Contemporary American art. The Richmond region also offers a year-round schedule of musical, theatrical, artistic and dance performances, including the Richmond Ballet, Richmond Symphony, and Virginia Opera.

Richmond’s growing number of eclectic restaurants and galleries and a bountiful series of food, wine, street art, murals, and music festivals make the city even more attractive. Numerous events, such as Fire, Flour, & Fork (a four-day festival) or the South of the James Farmer’s Market, satisfy foodies of all types. Some of the best street art in the country can be found in Richmond while taking a stroll past vintage shops and specialty boutiques.

RVA is home to eight Fortune 500 headquarters and dozens of 21st-century industries, including biotech, logistics, health and wellness, education, information technology services, and entrepreneurial startups. An established financial, legal, and governmental infrastructure provides hometown support. The region’s growing and diverse economy brings in workers statewide and attracts firms from around the world.

Virginia in general, and the RVA region in particular, is home to a large number of colleges and universities, including the nationally-renowned Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond, which both supply the region’s growing workforce pipeline. The quality of life and cost of living (6% below the national average) keep talent here and attract other young people to the region, fueling RVA’s rise as a millennial magnet.

On top of all of this, RVA is located just two hours from Virginia’s beaches, the Blue Ridge mountains, and Washington, D.C.’s cultural amenities. With big-city amenities and southern charm and ease, greater Richmond is ready to impress.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 13 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Director of Admissions is to manage all aspects of the JK-12 admissions experience and process in an effort to maintain capacity-level enrollment in Middle and Upper School and increase student enrollment in Lower School, while also maintaining commitment to the mission and philosophy of the school (programs, policies, and curricula). The DOA reports directly to the Head of School.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Manage the Admissions Department. • Maintain a warm, welcoming, and efficient Admissions operation. • Oversee the admissions process from inquiry to application to enrollment. • Work with Admissions colleagues (Associate Director and Assistant Director) to: o Create and ensure efficient management of and timely responses to all inquiries (phone, email, records management in HubSpot, etc.), as well as the effective set-up and management of all applicant files. o Provide personal and group on-campus tours for all inquiry and applicant families. o Coordinate assessment of all applicants in cooperation with the Center for Advancement of Learning, educational psychologists, and/or SSAT website. o Manage Robson Scholarship and Merit Grant application process for rising 9th grade applicants. o Manage recruitment of and training for all volunteers (parents, student ambassadors, etc.). o Provide school administrators, faculty, and staff important information on all new students families. o Facilitate the Buddy Family Program to assist with the transition of new families. o Evaluate processes, programs, and events continuously to ensure effectiveness. o Develop and implement new programming and activities for prospective families and potential students as needed to increase interest and yield. o Oversee calendar of admissions events: open houses, yield events, orientations, retention events, off-campus feeder school visits, off-campus recruitment fairs, and other related events. • Develop and maintain all feeder school relationships and other applicant-generating community organizations. • Organize and facilitate Lower, Middle, and Upper School Admissions Committees: selecting committees, establishing meeting schedules and agendas, reviewing decision-making criteria, managing all file reading, and other Committee related tasks. • Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Department to develop and maintain admissions website pages, digital media, printed materials, mailings, and publications. • Collaborate with the Business and IT departments to manage annual student reenrollment. • Collaborate with the Advancement Team to create and cultivate community relationships. • Collaborate with the International Program Coordinator in an effort to recruit and enroll international students, maintain all SEVIS records for nonimmigrant F-1 students, and serve as the Designated School Official (DSO). • Collaborate with Events Coordinator, Food Service, and Maintenance for all events and programming. • Attend professional conferences and events to assist with recruitment of students and seek innovative ways to further strengthen and support existing programs. • Research and identify current enrollment trends and demographics within the educational industry.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 14 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com • Report admissions and enrollment statistics to Head of School (weekly), Board of Trustees (monthly), and accrediting agencies (annually). Secondary responsibilities include:

• Serve as a member of the Executive Council, Advancement Committee, Divisional and International Admissions Committees, Merit Scholarship Committees, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Financial Aid/ Variable Tuition Committee, and the Richmond Admissions Group.

Qualifications

• Education: bachelor’s degree (minimum); master’s degree preferred. • Experience: has served as Director or Assistant Director of Admissions. • Interpersonal Skills: warm, enthusiastic, and friendly to best represent the school’s culture. • Leadership/Integrity: effectively communicates the school’s mission and shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments. • Team Player/Commitment to Cause: understands the big picture and manages areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the school’s mission and values. • Productivity/Organizing/Planning: effectively tracks and communicates data, meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time, and handles multiple assignments simultaneously. • Willingness to Acknowledge Areas for Growth: understands the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback. • Knowledge or Skill Set: Blackbaud/Education Edge (or similar CRM); Microsoft Office including PowerPoint, Word, and Excel; Google Docs.

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:

Leslie Ganson Search Associate [email protected]

Lisa Parsons Senior Associate [email protected]

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