Louise S. McGehee School , Head of School July 1, 2018 www.mcgeheeschool.com Mission Statement The mission of The Louise S. McGehee School is to provide a rigorous college-preparatory education to girls in an inclusive environment which fosters self-esteem, encourages high personal standards, addresses individual student needs, and emphasizes active student participation in the learning process. The program uses traditional and innovative teaching strategies to challenge students and to foster enthusiasm and a commitment to lifelong learning.

The Position

Louise S. McGehee School (McGehee), a PK-12, college preparatory, nonsectarian, independent girls’ day school in New Orleans, Louisiana, is seeking a Head of School beginning July 2018. Located in the historic Garden District, McGehee educates girls in an inclusive and engaging environment. Offered are a broad range of innovative programs in the arts, athletics, and academics designed specifically for girls. Throughout the School, McGehee uses traditional and innovative teaching strategies to challenge students, to foster enthusiasm and to encourage girls to take risks and reach their highest potential. From the TinkerLab for younger students to the independent research projects and mentorships in the Upper School, students are encouraged to explore their passions with a highly qualified and supportive faculty.

The next Head of School must be committed to continuing and expanding upon the tremendous legacy already in place.

For over 100 years, McGehee has remained true to its mission as an all-girls’ college preparatory school that meets the needs of the individual student and fosters a lifelong love of learning. The School’s community service programs, guiding principles, and student government are testaments to its founder’s vision. The next Head of School will be charged to continue executing the School’s mission while continuing to improve and strive for excellence in academics, athletics, the arts, and character education.

The School

Miss Louise Schaumburg McGehee founded the School in 1912. Her vision was to provide young women opportunities in education and leadership previously unavailable to them. The original schoolhouse was located at 1520 Louisiana Avenue and opened with an enrollment of 30 students.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 1 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Today, McGehee’s campus spans nine buildings with approximately 100,000 square feet of space, covering nearly an entire city block. McGehee has always been a leader in educating girls in the region. Among numerous firsts, McGehee was the first school in the region with an Honor Code; the first to offer laptops; the first to provide online course options; and the first to incorporate the Reggio Emilia philosophy for young children. In February, 2017, McGehee was recognized as the first Louisiana Common Sense Certified School for Digital Citizenship.

McGehee serves 489 students in Prekindergarten through grade 12. With an annual operating budget of $12 million and a strong endowment of $6 million, the School teaches girls in an inclusive environment where the focus is on the individual learner in a stimulating classroom environment that creates a culture of learners. Committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive study body, the School awarded $1.3 million in financial aid for the 2016-17 school year.

McGehee’s dedicated administration, faculty and staff are of exceptional caliber. One hundred twenty-five full-time and thirty-six part-time faculty members with advanced degrees bring passion, energy, experience, and deep commitment to their work with girls, and a student/teacher ratio of 8/1 ensures each student receives individual attention. Faculty members love working at McGehee because they are surrounded by passionate peer educators who constantly reevaluate how they can improve and excel in their teaching methods. Faculty also take full advantage of extensive professional development conferences, seminars, and scholarships made available to them.

As an all-girls’ school, McGehee provides a communal experience in a supportive culture that gives girls the guidance they need to take risks, push themselves, succeed academically and graduate well prepared for college and beyond. The School continuously challenges each student to strive for excellence and reach her potential in all areas of McGehee life. It stays abreast of current trends in education and technology and offers top level athletic programming. McGehee works to shape its students into ethical, resilient, and compassionate citizens. The Honor Code is a moral compass for girls and is instilled in students throughout their educational journey, while service remains an essential element of the School’s mission. Leadership opportunities provide critical moments for girls to develop self-esteem and grit—all crucial survival skills for the 21st century.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com McGehee is a charter member of the Online School for Girls (Now known as One Schoolhouse), which offers Upper School courses such as Intro to Computer Programming, Engineering, AP Computer Science, Forensics and AP Psychology. The option of taking online courses offers more variety and diversity in an independent school curriculum and complements McGehee’s mission of meeting the individual needs of each student.

The School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC), and complies with the NACAC Statement of Good Principles of Good Practice. McGehee is accredited by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Academics

McGehee offers its students a balanced, challenging, and reflective curriculum that produces intellectual, creative, and ethical individuals with the support of a mission-centric community. Students at McGehee are high-achieving, confident learners. With low student/teacher ratio, a highly skilled and dedicated faculty, and a campus brimming with resources, the academic program breeds success in all areas of development. The academic program is progressive and includes many highly innovative curricular initiatives.

A small school by design, McGehee teachers tend carefully to the differing needs of each child; students are accommodated by multiple teaching methods and varied groupings in small class sections. While emphasis is placed on academic rigor, the learning environment is balanced by nurturing teachers and staff who work to encourage the growth of the whole child. Critical thinking skills, responsibility,

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com good effort, and positive attitude are encouraged and recognized in developmentally appropriate ways at all grade levels. Teachers help each girl find her voice, take risks and deliver her best.

Science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) spiral throughout the curriculum at McGehee, providing hands-on learning experiences as well as opportunities to develop skills that meet the demands of the 21st century. The School’s youngest students in Little Gate spend time in the TinkerLab, an age-appropriate maker space, exploring, creating, making, building and more, while Lower School students use their Inventor’s Lab to explore basic coding and robotics. Middle Schoolers collaborate in the STEAM Lab as part of their regular class schedule, providing exposure to the broad field of engineering and design. In Upper School, STEAM principles are integrated throughout the curriculum and girls can explore their interests through independent research and group projects. Students in grades 5-12 bring a laptop to school each day, allowing technology to enhance the curriculum and shape girls into responsible digital citizens.

With a challenging curriculum led by an ambitious faculty, attention to students’ well-being, and customized learning experiences, McGehee girls graduate, headed to some of the most prestigious colleges and universities across the country, ready to take on the world.

Early Childhood Program

Little Gate, McGehee’s co-educational preeminent early childhood program for children up to age four, has enjoyed over a quarter of a century as the premier program of its kind in the greater New Orleans area. The curriculum-based program calls Mathilde Hall, the most recent campus addition, home. Little Gate uses a Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing child-directed, experiential learning through play. The curriculum for students ages one to four, focuses on developing the “whole child”—

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com perceptual abilities, readiness skills, communication, and creative expression, as well as gross and fine motor coordination.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy sees the environment as the third teacher. Curiosity is nurtured and encouraged through the curriculum, as the faculty creates unique environments both indoors and out where students can explore, problem solve, build, create, and discover. The School’s well-equipped classrooms, playground, and one of the most beautiful and interactive butterfly gardens in the city all provide exceptional opportunities and environments for learning. Classes are kept small to maintain low student to teacher ratios, with two lead teachers as well as several support and enrichment teachers.

Each day at Little Gate begins with Morning Gathering, when students gather to welcome each other, sing songs, and delve deeper into topics of interest. Classroom and Outdoor Explorations give students opportunities to do just that—to explore the “invocations” and “provocations” that teachers have set up and to move freely throughout the School’s playground, butterfly garden, rock box, vegetable garden, and toddler yards. Students also engage in art, music, French, and other Enrichment Classes, building a foundation for learning at an early age. Communal dining and rest time round out the day for these smallest learners.

Lower School

The Lower School focuses on the social, emotional, and cognitive growth of each girl. Through a variety of long-term projects and hands-on activities, students are able to learn and grow at their own pace—developing into happy, confident, and independent learners. At McGehee, the Lower School provides a challenging education for girls in an inclusive environment that fosters self-esteem and emphasizes active student participation using both traditional and innovative approaches.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 5 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com The curriculum is highly engaging, and girls are involved in a variety of opportunities to collaborate and learn through discussion and tinkering. Classes often revolve around focus topics and teachers encourage students to discover answers and find solutions. Enrichment classes take students outside of their classroom and into spaces dedicated to science, music, language, physical education, art and library, as well as into the TinkerLab, an elementary-appropriate maker space that facilitates opportunities for students to build, explore, and experiment with simple tools and a wide range of activities.

Middle School

The strong foundation for learning built in Lower School continues to accelerate in Middle School as students are presented with new challenges and opportunities. Students continue to hone their skills while growing in independence and gaining greater confidence in their abilities.

Student-directed learning is prevalent in Middle School classrooms. Teachers challenge students to become responsible for their own learning experiences and to set high expectations for themselves. As girls become more comfortable making their own choices, teachers guide, support and push their students. The college-preparatory curriculum is also enhanced by a variety of extracurricular activities for girls to discover their talents and passions, from clubs and committees to athletic teams and service opportunities.

Because Middle School is a time of much change, the outstanding faculty alongside the Counseling and Learning Support Services ensure girls are surrounded by a supportive and safe atmosphere as they face new academic and social challenges.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 6 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com College Acceptances In recent years, McGehee graduates have been accepted to the following institutions, among others: • American University • Miami University, Oxford • • Bard College • Middlebury College • University of Alabama • Boston College • New York University • University of California, • Boston University • NYU, Tisch Berkeley • Carnegie Mellon University • Occidental College • University of California, Santa • Colorado College • Parsons, The New School for Cruz • Columbia University Design • University of Chicago • Dartmouth College • Pennsylvania State • University of Miami • Davidson College University • University of Mississippi • Elon University • Pomona College • University of St. Andrew’s, • Emerson College • Rhodes College Scotland • Emory University • St. Edward’s University • University of Texas • Fordham University • Sarah Lawrence College • University of Virginia • Georgetown University • Savannah College of Art & • Vanderbilt University • George Washington Design • Vassar College University • Sewanee: The University of the • Wake Forest University • Howard University South • Washington & Lee • Johns Hopkins University • Stanford University • Washington University in St. • Lehigh University • Syracuse University Louis • Louisiana State University • Trinity College • Williams College • Marquette University • Tufts University • Xavier University of Louisiana

Upper School

As students move into Upper School, they experience greater independence along with the enhanced challenges and freedoms of McGehee’s college preparatory curriculum. With intentionally small class sizes, students benefit from opportunities to pursue their academic interests in greater depth as they develop critical thinking and communication skills that set them up for success in college.

Academic course requirements meet Louisiana state standards for an honors curriculum and each academic discipline offers honors designations for select courses. McGehee offers AP courses, yet the School believes the AP curriculum inhibits deeper, more individual student pursuits. Honors-level courses are offered as well and are viewed favorably by colleges and universities, and students still take AP exams—and score very well.

Creative learning styles and methods abound. Some classes use the Harkness-style cluster of tables, or students often work on the floor, out on a balcony, the front lawn, or in the hallway as the work allows. Prior to graduation, seniors are required to complete a two-week internship program that offers off-campus work experience and career exploration. Recent internships have included work in neo-natal Intensive Care Units, research laboratories, advertising agencies, governmental offices, and public service agencies, to name a few.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 7 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Mentorship Program

McGehee’s Mentorship Program allows seniors to distinguish themselves academically by exploring a topic of interest in greater depth under the guidance of a faculty member. Students design and execute an independent course of study as planned and approved in an in-depth and detailed written proposal. A senior who successfully completes a rigorous plan of independent study with her faculty Mentor graduates with “Distinction” on her diploma in her chosen field of study. For the 2015-16 school year, five seniors graduated with “Distinction.” Recent topics have included the role of antibiotics in modern medicine, the art of typography, the history and literary influence of French fairy tales, and vaccine controversies.

Arts and Athletics

For many years, the Fine Arts have been a vibrant part of McGehee, encouraging creative self- expression in all students and providing opportunities for girls to discover their passions and talents. The Lower School art program focuses on the exploration of the fundamentals of the field. Often, projects are coordinated with appropriate academic curriculum, promoting a better understanding of students’ academic studies. Students in Lower School explore the performing arts in general music classes that weave vocal music, music literacy, and performance skills together, as well as in dance classes. Their work culminates in annual class performances designed to help each student find her voice on stage.

In Middle School, the art curriculum explores two and three-dimensional processes. Students experiment with different techniques and concepts that build a strong understanding of atmospheric perspective, positive and negative space, color theory, and elements of design. Instrumental offerings are expanded in Middle School as students begin to refine their arts choices.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 8 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com The Upper School art curriculum is modeled after a college art foundations program, exploring a variety of techniques and media that help students develop visual literacy, explore personal expression, and understand the principles of design. Performing arts celebrates voice through the Vocal/Choral Program, while music classes allow students to develop their voices as singers through guided vocal technique, sight-reading, and choral rehearsals. Additional Fine Arts electives and extracurricular opportunities are offered, including ceramics, photography, A Cappella, drama, and the annual Upper School musical.

The Athletic Program at McGehee provides an inclusive environment. Faculty and coaches encourage each girl to meet her full physical, intellectual, moral, and social potential, while fostering self-esteem and inspiring high personal standards for each student athlete. The Program offers a variety of sports to provide girls with the opportunity to choose a team on which they can both contribute and succeed. The School’s no-cut policy for junior varsity teams means any student can participate in a team sport.

Seventy-five percent of Middle School girls and fifty-five percent of Upper School girls participate in at least one sport. Offerings include volleyball, cross country, tennis, soccer, basketball, softball, golf, swimming, and track and field. The Hawks have taken home numerous regional and state championship trophies, including an individual State Long Jump Championship in 2016, and State Volleyball Championships in 2008 and 2015.

School Life

In 1921, McGehee became the first New Orleans school to adopt a Student Body Government and the Honor Code. The Student Body Government is responsible for school affairs within its province

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 9 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com of authority. The Student Council is comprised of representatives elected by each class, a President and Vice President, faculty members, and the Dean of Students. If a student violates the Honor Code, she goes before the Student Council which decides if disciplinary action should be taken. McGehee believes this system encourages students to accept greater responsibility for their actions and gives girls the chance to grow and mature in an environment of trust. Numerous alumnae have commented that McGehee’s Honor Code provided them with a moral compass that has lasted throughout their lives.

Service has a long history at McGehee, with some archival materials noting the efforts of McGehee students who knitted socks and sweaters during World War I. Starting in Lower School, girls participate in a variety of community causes so that by Middle School, they are immersed in a progressive service learning curriculum that connects multiple academic subjects. Often, all three divisions will participate in school-wide service drives or service-oriented assemblies.

Aftercare offers girls in Pre-Kindergarten through 7th grade enrichment opportunities both inside and outside. Students are divided into groups to do homework, play outdoors, or participate in unique extracurriculars games and activities.

Physical Campus

McGehee’s campus is unique among independent schools. It provides a space that feels like a welcoming home in the middle of the loveliest residential area of New Orleans. McGehee’s one-acre campus footprint consists of ten buildings, six of which are historic houses that feature an appealing blend of ornate architecture, high ceilings, and tall winding staircases with modern classroom [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 10 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com amenities. Its anchor building, the 1868 Bradish Johnson House, contains the McGehee libraries and houses Upper School classrooms as well as the office of the Head of School.

The latest addition to campus is Mathilde Bernard Villere Hall (Mathilde Hall) on St. Charles Avenue, home to the school’s premier Early Childhood program, Little Gate. A $5.2 million capital campaign allowed for the renovation of the historic 5,000 square-foot building to include seven classrooms, flow spaces, a TinkerLab, play yard, and green space. The building is the perfect environment for young children and filled with light. It is adjacent to the Mary Alice Quinn ’54 Butterfly Garden. Following the opening of Mathilde Hall in 2016, the Foundation for Historic Louisiana recognized McGehee with the distinction of Preservationist of the Year.

New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the most fascinating cities in the world, unique and seductive in its charm, New Orleans celebrates its diverse culture and an exciting, engaging way of life. This major port on the coast of Louisiana, originally called La Nouvelle Orléans was named in honor of the Duke of Orleans, France’s ruling regent until the young Louis XV could take the throne.

A true melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, New Orleans began to develop its unique identity early on in its history. Today, New Orleans is a cultural hotspot. Tourists flock to the city each year for numerous reasons -- to view the unique Creole architecture of the French Quarter, Garden District and the Faubourg Marigny, to experience the nightlife, visit the boutique shops and antique stores that line Magazine Street or to try the world famous cuisine and restaurants that make New Orleans famous. Post-Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has become a powerhouse of opportunity. Focused on local economic development, the organization Greater New Orleans, Inc. provides a wealth of information on all things New Orleans. Recently its website cites Forbes Magazine and other business experts

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 11 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com who provide these ranks to New Orleans -- “#1 Business Climate, #1 Most Economical City, #1 Brain Magnet in America, #3 City for Winning the IT Jobs Battle.”

Additionally, The New Orleans Business Alliance provides numerous power rankings for New Orleans, including:

• #2 Tech employment growth in the U.S., 2013-2016/SmartAsset, 2016 • #3 Highest ratio of women in computer and math occupations in the U.S./SmartAsset, 2016 • Top 10 Cities for Women in Tech, 2015-2016, city of New Orleans/SmartAsset, 2016 • #1 City for creatives, city of New Orleans,/SmartAsset, 2016 • #2 Percentage of Millenials living within three miles of downtown/U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “Innovation That Matters,” 2016 • Top 25 Cities Ready To Navigate the Next Wave of the Digital Economy, city of New Orleans workforce/U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “Innovation That Matters,” 2016 • Seven colleges and universities within the city limits • One of only 15 U.S. cities with two medical schools

It is also a city of museums, a symphony orchestra, opera, theater and ballet as well as home to nationally renowned colleges and universities. The city is consistently rated as a top city for live music, restaurants, antique shops, and “people most proud of their city.”

As the “birthplace of jazz,” New Orleans celebrates its history by offering almost weekly celebrations and festivals, including Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, colloquially known as “Jazz Fest.” Visitors and residents rave about New Orleans unique cuisine, which counts French, Spanish, Italian, African, Cajun, and Cuban foods among its influencers.

Sports fans cheer on the Saints (NFL), Pelicans (NBA), and Baby Cakes (minor league baseball), as

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 12 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com well as an all-female roller derby team called the Big Easy Rollergirls and the New Orleans Krewe, a women’s football team. Tulane and LSU fans celebrate their alma maters’ sports teams with gusto as well.

With its temperate climate, its varied cultural attractions, its academic and business opportunities, and its enchanting blend of the new and old, New Orleans is an extraordinary place to live, to work, to enjoy and to experience.

Strengths of the School

• A small school with a big heart and a generous support network for students • Caring and devoted faculty dedicated to giving each girl individual attention, meeting her needs and pushing her to succeed • A challenging curriculum that honors tradition while providing a progressive approach that builds 21st century skills • A mission driven school with a century long history of educating confident, successful young women • Beautiful, historic campus located in the renowned Garden District • A school with a wonderful balance of tradition and innovation • A school community that lives its Honor Code and encourages community service • A loyal, dedicated and passionate alumnae body. Graduates speak highly of their “McGehee experience.” What sets McGehee apart from other schools is its in-depth understanding of how girls learn and succeed, combined with its mission to meet the needs of the individual girl. McGehee graduates are not just well educated, they have been pushed to their greatest potential and have found their voices.

Opportunities and Challenges

The next Head of School at McGehee will face several challenges as well as incredible opportunities:

• A growing need to strategically recruit and retain students due to low- or no- cost competitive options such as local public, parochial, and charter schools • Communicating the importance of Single Sex Education for girls • An ever present challenge of competing with numerous local, independent schools • Enhance and expand funding to consistently support educational innovation • Little Gate’s status as the premier early childhood center and feeder to McGehee’s Pre-K is challenged by local competition modeling new programs similar to Little Gate • Physical space limitations inhibit growth of athletic programming • Historic buildings require intentional strategy on deferred maintenance • Endowment growth will be an essential element of future fundraising campaigns • Recruit and support exceptional faculty and staff representative of diverse backgrounds • The option of local, independent school competitors who present attractive, updated campuses with more modern performance, science and athletic facilities

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 13 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Qualifications and Qualities of the Next Head of School

The favored candidate for the next Head of School at McGehee will be/possess:

• A progressive educator with a strong academic background and advanced degree who can guide further enhance curriculum and programs • A visionary who can lead strategically and encourage innovation and creativity in programs and pedagogy • Strong communication skills and ability to connect with and navigate a variety of constituencies • Experienced and passionate about single-sex education • Highly visible on campus and engaged with students, faculty and parents on a daily basis • Keen sense of humor • Joyful, enthusiastic and optimistic in his/her approach to working within a school community • Intuitive listening skills • Empathic leader who will work to ensure that the community remains welcoming, caring, and relational • Skillful at marrying the traditions of the past with possibilities for the future • Collaborative problem solver • Appreciation for the uniqueness of New Orleans and willingness to fully embrace its culture • Financial acumen • Enthusiasm and aptitude for fundraising • Model school virtues of service, honor, and leadership • Confident risk-taker, willingness to promote learning through mistakes

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 (5) professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each to:

Amanda Riegel Search Associate [email protected]

Marlene Shaw Senior Search Consultant [email protected]

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 14 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com