Miami Country Day School

Miami, Head of School Position Start Date: July 2019 miamicountryday.org Overview

“Every student. Every day.” For nearly eight decades, Miami Country Day School (MCDS) has lived out its motto, delivering an exceptional college-preparatory curriculum that educates the whole person. Currently serving 1,350 students in PreK3 through Grade 12, MCDS has undergone remarkable changes since its founding in 1938. Nonetheless, the faculty and student Mission body at this FCIS-accredited coeducational day school Miami Country Day School is are united in their appreciation and continued respect a college preparatory learning for the school’s mission, philosophy, and traditions. community committed to educating Across all grades and divisions, MCDS’s students the whole child. Through the core present themselves as creative, poised, confident, multi-talented, and enthusiastic—truly thriving in an values of honor, respect, wisdom, environment that nurtures their intellectual, physical, and compassion, we prepare emotional, social, aesthetic, and spiritual potentials. students to be lifelong learners. From its nationally-ranked chess club to its national- We inspire our children to develop champion girls’ team, from its environmental their intellectual, physical, aesthetic, studies center to its Comprehensive Outdoor Education social, emotional, and spiritual Program, Miami Country Day School’s offerings are as potentials by valuing every student exceptional as they are varied. every day. Today, MCDS finds itself in an enviable position, adding new facilities and enjoying tremendous enrollment growth. Core Values Just this past year alone, the student enrollment grew by At Miami Country Day School we 100 students and the new Center for the Arts and World prepare children for college and Language Center opened. The school’s strong standing for life by embracing four core and reputation are due in large part to the successful leadership of the longstanding Head of School and a values: honor, respect, wisdom, and positive, forward-thinking, and judicious Board of Trustees. compassion. Students, faculty, and parents are encouraged to live by The Board seeks a new Head of School effective 2019. a set of core values and to act as The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader and models for action and behavior. a strategic thinker who has substantial experience in a complex, urban PS-12 school. Strong candidates Fast Facts will bring a comfort level and pleasure in relationship building in a diverse, international community and the Founded: 1938 ability to nurture collaboration while bravely taking Type: Coeducational, day actions that consistently support the mission. The Grades Served: PreK3 - 12 new Head of School should be an involved presence Enrolled: 1,350 in the daily life of the school, an advocate for faculty Campus Size: 20 acres and students, and above all, a fierce proponent of the Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 school’s mission and vision as a college-preparatory Faculty w/ Adv. Degrees: 66% institution. S/he will also be prepared to support ongoing Students of Color: 47% efforts to build a culture of philanthropy. The Head will Students on Fin. Aid: 18% lead the development of curriculum and programs that will fully engage all students and prepare them for future Admission Yield: 67% academic success in a rapidly changing world.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 1 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com School History

In 1938, Mr. Luther “L.B.” Sommers and Mr. C.W. “Doc” Abele opened The Miami Country Day and Resident School for Boys in what was then still a young and developing city. Originally an elementary boarding school, MCDS grew quickly in both size and reputation. The transition to its coeducational day program came in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, as the school began admitting female students and boarding rooms were turned into classrooms to accommodate rising enrollment. The Upper School was added in the late 1970s and MCDS graduated its first senior class in 1981.

Miami Country Day School still occupies its original campus north of downtown Miami, but the facilities inhabited by the founding class of seven boys were quite different from what MCDS students enjoy today. While much has changed at MCDS since 1938, the school has retained the holistic approach to learning embraced by its founders, balancing rigorous academics with athletics and cultural enrichment to produce well-rounded and civic-minded young adults.

The School

Over the course of 80 years, Miami Country Day School has built a reputation of excellence in South Florida. The dedicated team of 130 faculty at MCDS is composed of committed stakeholders; teachers appreciate small class sizes, cherish autonomy in the classroom, and feel fully supported by the administration. Across all divisions, a classical liberal arts curriculum is enhanced by a number of specialty programs that promote hands-on learning and whole-child engagement. With the rise of new media in recent decades, MCDS has embraced technology as an invaluable tool to improve educational practices, while holding fast to its commitment to imbue every student with a lifelong love of learning.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com As students advance from their early years in the Lower School through the Upper School’s strong college-preparatory program, they not only learn the academic content and critical thinking skills necessary to lead successful lives, but also develop the core values of honor, respect, wisdom, and compassion.

MCDS is accredited by FCIS and SACS; active membership is maintained in NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS, SAIS, FKC, CASE, CRIS, ERB, American Library Association, and the College Board.

Academics

Miami Country Day School offers a college-preparatory curriculum that seeks to educate the whole person. Across all divisions, classical liberal arts coursework is supplemented by experiential programs that offer students the opportunity to apply their classroom instruction in real-world contexts while also developing skills essential for thinking through and tackling tough problems. From early childhood through 12th grade, students’ social and emotional intelligences are developed and nurtured in a Life Skills curriculum, while robust art and physical education programs foster students’ creativity and health and wellness.

The Lower School curriculum provides students with academic knowledge in conjunction with critical and creative thinking skills and habits of mind essential to success, such as managing impulses, empathetic listening, and clear communication. The Early Childhood program lays the groundwork for literacy and mathematical reasoning while maintaining a strong emphasis on free, play-based learning and exploration. The academic curriculum expands in Grades 1-5, as students begin to learn technology, science, art, P.E., and a foreign language in addition to literacy and math. Thematic units

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 3 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com specific to each grade level deepen students’ learning and retention. Teachers and administrators in the Lower School strive to instill in students curiosity and creativity to become lifelong learners, looking beyond quantitative assessments to prepare their young students to lead fulfilling, enriching lives.

The Middle School program at Miami Country Day School is purposefully structured to support students during the unique period of early adolescence. A challenging curriculum in the core subjects of English, history, mathematics, science, technology, and world languages is enhanced by an array of electives designed to encourage students to experiment and explore different interests. Teachers in the Middle School are deeply devoted to working with this age group and work hard to draw connections between the lessons they deliver in the classroom and the real world their students inhabit. Each year, students are required to meet a community service requirement that culminates with a written reflection on the experience. Every Middle School student also receives academic and personal support from an advisor, who serves as the primary point of contact between the student’s home and school.

Students in the Upper School are challenged in a strong college-preparatory program that encourages independent thinking, active engagement in the learning process, and the formation of strong bonds between teachers and students. The school offers 23 Advanced Placement courses, and nearly all academic courses in the Upper School are offered at the honors level. Students are required to take three years of a foreign language (French, Spanish, or Chinese) as well as at least one year in both fine arts and physical education. A breadth of electives allows students to expand their knowledge in the humanities, STEM, music, and visual and performing arts. Upper School students must also complete 25 hours of community service per year to graduate.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com College Matriculation The following is a list of schools to which the Class of 2017 matriculated. American University Arizona State University – Barrett Honors College Babson College Bard College Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Broward College Carnegie Mellon University University of Central Florida Columbia University Cornell University Duke University Eckerd College Emerson College Florida International University Florida State University University of Florida Fordham University Furman University The George Washington University Howard University Indiana University at Bloomington Lynn University The Upper School academic journey culminates with Marist College Miami Dade College the Senior Capstone Project. In alignment with the University of Maryland, College Park school’s commitment to educating the whole person, Marymount California University the Senior Capstone provides 12th graders with the University of Miami opportunity to explore a passion, potential career path, University of Michigan Muhlenberg College or intellectual interest outside the traditional curriculum New York University during a three-week, off-campus, experiential internship Northeastern University of his or her choosing. MCDS takes this program very University of Pennsylvania seriously, holding students to the highest standards as Rollins College Saint Leo University they learn the discipline and responsibilities associated San Diego State University with being a working professional. Santa Fe College Sarah Lawrence College Students in Grades 6-12 who are of average to superior University of South Carolina University of Southern California intellectual ability and have documented learning Southern Methodist University differences receive exceptional support through MCDS’s Stetson University Learning Resources program. The Learning Resources Suffolk County Community College program offers core courses in small class sizes, providing Suffolk University Tallahassee Community College students with individualized instruction and developing The University of Tampa personal and intellectual skills necessary to their success. The New School – All Divisions The program’s curriculum covers the same content as Tufts University the standard curriculum, but is taught by a highly trained Tulane University University of London staff with deep knowledge of brain research. Villanova University University of Virginia These gifted teachers differentiate their instruction Wellesley College and assessment approaches to better meet students’ Whittier College

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 5 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com specific learning styles. The curriculum integrates study skills, organizational strategies, and time management and goal-setting components, while also emphasizing the importance of self advocacy and providing support and education for parents. Working closely with the College Counseling department, the Learning Resources program strives to prepare all students to thrive in a collegiate setting that best suits their goals and strengths.

Unique Programs

Abess Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) This environmental enrichment program is designed specifically for MCDS’s Lower School. Students in PK3 through Grade 5 engage in fun, hands-on activities to learn about the natural world. From its gardens and greenhouse to its assortment of animals, ACES introduces students to concepts of biodiversity and environmentalism. ACES’s dynamic leaders have trained teachers and collaborated with like-minded programs across the globe.

Comprehensive Outdoor Education Program (COEP) The Comprehensive Outdoor Education Program (COEP) is an exciting, experiential education program that serves as an outstanding supplement to MCDS’s traditional curriculum in the Middle and Upper Schools. Beginning in fifth grade, all students participate in a once-per-week COEP class as a part of their enrichment studies, where they learn fundamental outdoor skills, explore Florida’s natural wildlife, and learn the principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. They also can opt to take two day-long trips to nearby wildlife and nature reserves. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders can choose to take COEP as an elective course, where they learn more advanced camping and backpacking skills, orienteering, first aid, and survival skills.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 6 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com COEP continues in the Upper School, building on the Middle School program though not requiring it as prerequisite. Classroom learning is reinforced through real-world, outdoor wilderness challenges. Both Middle and Upper School students have the option of participating in a number of field treks and day trips each semester. COEP also offers an adventure-based summer program that is funded by participants and not counted for academic credit.

GATEway (Global Access To Education) GATEway is Miami Country Day School’s experiential and academic study-away program. As a member of the GATEway family, students participate in a rewarding experience away from the Miami Country Day School campus, either in a foreign country or a city outside of the Miami area. Students earn high school credit while immersing themselves in rich and diverse cultures. Currently, the school offers a four-week academic program in Madrid, Spain, as well as opportunities to take part in programs in Nice, France; Switzerland; Italy; and Boston, MA. GATEway Jr. and GATEway Mini are programs slated for Middle School and Lower School, respectively.

Minimester This unique one-week program offers all Miami Country Day Upper School students the opportunity to explore exciting and innovative courses which fall outside the standard curriculum yet instill necessary skills for young people to be competitive as 21st century learners. This supplementary program is highly praised for exposing students to new subject matter and providing an alternative path to learning that is multi-sensory and authentic.

Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (I.C.E.) Initiative Established in 2013, The Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (I.C.E.) Initiative is designed to target students who demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit, providing a clear framework for advancing

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 7 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com their ideas into real-world innovations. Open to students from PK3 through Grade 12, I.C.E. teaches students how to apply practical business skills to a problem, leverage mentors and community members in the service of a goal, and use financial and investment opportunities to achieve that goal. The I.C.E. Initiative is broken into five phases that prompt students to progress thoughtfully from initial ideation through execution under the guidance of faculty and community mentors.

Arts

In recognition of the importance of art education to the development of the whole child, every Lower School student at Miami Country Day School is exposed to the full range of fine arts as a part of their enrichment curriculum. Students learn to draw, paint, and work with clay within thematic units that introduce various artists and the cultural and historical role that art plays in our lives. Lower School students are also introduced to the expressive value of music through song, movement, and Orff instrumentation. From the earliest age, MCDS students are given the opportunity to express themselves creatively and to display their work school-wide.

Students enter Middle School prepared and inspired to pursue art education as an elective course. (Completion of at least one fine arts credit is required.) The Middle School visual arts program offers three consecutive electives that advance in skill and sophistication. Art I and II introduce students to art history as they experiment with the full scope of 2D and 3D media including painting, drawing, ceramics, and printmaking. Art III focuses entirely on honing students’ talents in 3D sculpture and ceramics. The dance department is equally comprehensive, offering foundational classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop dance. Those with a passion for vocal and instrumental music can build a foundational knowledge of music theory, technique, and performance in the Middle

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 8 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com School music program, which features wind, jazz, percussion, and vocal ensembles as well as an orchestra, band, and “Radio Ensemble,” which specializes in pop music. Each year, middle school musicians participate in a number of district and state-level events including the annual Florida All- State Music Competition and Festival.

Every Upper School student at MCDS takes a minimum of one fine arts course, though many opt to pursue an artistic passion throughout all four years of high school. Experienced and beginner dancers alike can choose to study whatever dance style they prefer, mastering warm-up practices, learning choreographed pieces, and acquiring both the vocabulary and diversity of movements to perform before an audience with confidence. Music courses allow students to explore a range of genres and artists—including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and reggae—also with the goal of building the skill and confidence needed to perform publicly. The Upper School music program features an orchestra, jazz and pep bands, chorus, and a contemporary music ensemble as well as all levels of guitar instruction. The Visual Arts program also expands considerably in the upper division, offering the unique opportunity to learn digital and darkroom photography in addition to painting, drawing and design, ceramics, and sculpture. Students master techniques, train their aesthetic eye, and find joy in the process of artistic expression using the finest of materials and with the guidance of talented instructors. Those who demonstrate exceptional ability may enroll in AP Studio Art, where they compile a portfolio for college credit.

Athletics

Miami Country Day School is home to an outstanding athletics program that offers Middle and Upper School students the opportunity to compete on any of its 38 athletic teams. Grounded in the values

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 9 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com of teamwork, sportsmanship, tradition, dedication, and self-esteem, MCDS’s student athletes benefit from an experience that is both fun and educational.

A total of 14 sports are offered at MCDS—football, cross-country, cheerleading, , basketball, soccer, , , , , , , and . Students compete interscholastically in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and hold numerous district and regional championships. The central goal of the program, however, is to foster in every student the skills and confidence that come with playing a sport, as well as to instill an appreciation for the value of being physically active throughout his or her life.

Auxiliary and Extracurricular Programs

Opportunities for students to further diversify their educational experience at MCDS abound. The Lower School offers a highly enriching series of After School Clubs geared intentionally toward children in PreK3 through Grade 5. Ranging from cooking and coding to acting and DJ’ing, these clubs may be athletic, creative, adventurous, or simply fun.

Students of all ages can take swim lessons through the Miami Country Day Aquatics (MCDA) program, which also supports the school’s competitive swimming and water polo teams.

Also noteworthy is the School’s impressive Chess program. Led by a FIDE International Grandmaster, the program features private chess lessons as well as an after-school chess club, summer camp, and an accomplished competitive team. In 2016, the MCDS chess team won first place at the Florida State Tournament and took third place at Nationals in Indianapolis.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 10 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Students in need of additional support—whether in the form of test prep, academic tutoring, athletic coaching, speech or occupational therapy, or other one-on-one help—benefit from the School’s Student Success Network (SSN).

Other organizations on campus include Thespians, yearbook, student government, literary magazine, chorus, and various political awareness organizations. Honor societies—including National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, English Honor Society of MCDS, Honor Society for Excellence in Science, John C. DuBois History Honor Society, Art Honor Society, French Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society—are selective in admission and requirements.

Campus

Miami Country Day School is located on 20 acres approximately 10 miles north of downtown Miami near the village of Miami Shores. The attractive campus features exceptionally maintained facilities, including a state-of-the-art media and resource center with a broadcast studio; a new World Languages Center and four-level parking garage, both opened in 2016; and the J. Calvin Rose Athletic Center, which houses athletics staff offices as well as a collegiate-size basketball court, three volleyball courts, training facilities, and updated boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. The Aquatic Center features a ten-lane pool, expansive spectator seating, and Colorado Timing Scoring System. The Koch Athletic Fields are outfitted with professional-grade lighting for the school’s softball, baseball, football, soccer, and lacrosse teams as well as the Miami Shores football team and several international and professional sports teams.

The most recent and exciting addition to campus is the new Center for the Arts, opened in May 2017.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 11 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com This 45,000-square-foot facility includes a 630-seat auditorium, Blackbox Theater, arts classrooms, faculty offices, dance studio, ceramics studio, and cafe.

Miami, Florida

The fourth largest urban area in the nation, Greater Miami is home to over 5.5 million people. The majority of Miami’s residents have immigrated—or are born to parents who emigrated—from Hispanic countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America. The result is a uniquely eclectic and vibrant community amidst a tropical landscape unlike any other in the country. From its food and music to its art and architecture, Miami is truly a cultural melting pot.

One of the busiest port cities in the world, Miami is a major economic center of commerce, finance, and international trade and business. Downtown Miami’s Brickell Avenue is home to the largest concentration of international banks in the U.S. The city’s diverse economy also boasts strong entertainment, arts, media, fashion, and tourism sectors. The Port of Miami has served as the #1 passenger cruise port in the world for over 20 years, and the city as a whole is the second most popular tourism destination in the country after New York City.

More than 30 million people flock to Miami’s beaches, conventions, festivals, and events every year. These include Latin-infused favorites like Calle Ocho Festival and Carnaval Miami, the Miami Open, the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, Art Basel, and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami, which is held in the revitalized Wynwood Art District. The Art Deco district of South Beach is an international fashion mecca as well as a premier destination known for its world-class dining and nightlife. The newest addition to the Miami arts scene is the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 12 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com Arts—the second-largest performing arts center in the nation after NYC’s Lincoln Center and home to the Florida Grand Opera. Other arts venues include the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Colony Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, New World Center, Actor’s Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Jackie Gleason Theatre, Manuel Artime Theater, Ring Theatre, Playground Theatre, Wertheim Performing Arts Center, and the Bayfront Park Amphitheater. The city is home to a number of museums as well, many of which are in the downtown district. These include the very recently opened Frost Museum of Science, Perez Art Museum (PAMM), HistoryMiami, Miami Children’s Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and the Miami-Dade Cultural Center, home of the Miami-Dade Library.

The campus of Miami Country Day School is located just north of downtown on the edge of Miami Shores. A primarily residential, independently governed community, Miami Shores is home to Barry University and features its own country club, golf course, historic library, community center, and beautiful waterfront views of Biscayne Bay.

Opportunities and Challenges

Miami Country Day School is one of the oldest independent schools in the Miami area and also one of the most dynamic. Recent investments in the school’s physical plant have transformed the campus and allowed the school to grow to 1,350 students. The school’s faculty has embraced these changes and seized the opportunity they represent by simultaneously upgrading the school’s academic and extracurricular programs—even while holding true to the school’s long-term commitment to the holistic education of “every student every day.” The next Head of School will have the opportunity to maintain the forward-looking momentum of the past several years focused particularly on the school programs while working in partnership with the school’s President, who will lead the day-to-day business and financial operations of the school. This great school seeks a new Head who can ensure that MCDS becomes a nationally recognized leader in independent school education.

As MCDS has grown dramatically, a shared sense of meaning in the school’s core identity has become, quite naturally, less precisely defined among the various constituencies of the community. The primary challenge awaiting the next Head will be to forge a shared communitywide understanding of the school’s mission, purpose, identity, and direction. More specifically, the next Head will be challenged to:

• Direct and guide school management that is unified, mission focused, and effective in delivering a comprehensive program (PreK3 through Grade 12) built on mutually agreed upon and intentional student outcomes. • Develop, through cross-divisional collaboration, continuity, and consistency in the philosophy and programs offered by the school’s three divisions. • Lead MCDS through a smooth adjustment to the many changes that have occurred—including a new administrative structure, a new Upper School Director, and new buildings—while continuing to develop and enhance programs that will serve the needs of the students in an ever-changing and increasingly interconnected world. • Improve the school’s internal marketing so that everyone in the community is “on the same page” regarding the mission. • Ensure that all school programs—academics, arts, athletics, extracurricular—aspire to and perform at a shared commitment to excellence. • Consider the school’s administrative structure and staffing to ensure efficiency and top-level delivery

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 13 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com of all programs. • Recruit, support, and retain dynamic teachers of the highest quality. • Foster a community of stewardship, outreach, and philanthropy.

MCDS will adopt a new leadership and governance structure in July 2018 and welcome Interim HOS Jim Connor. The current COO/Associate HOS, Gary Butts, will become President of the school. In that capacity, he will serve as the institution’s chief executive officer and the sole employee of the school’s Board of Trustees. The Head of School will serve as the school’s chief academic officer, reporting to the President and through him to the Board of Trustees. The Head will have complete jurisdiction over the school’s curricular and co-curricular programs, student services and discipline, as well as all faculty hiring and evaluation. Miami Country Day School expects that the President and the Head of School will work in a very close leadership partnership.

Like all leaders of independent schools, the Head of MCDS will ultimately be charged to ensure that the school’s value proposition remains exceptionally attractive to current and future students and their families.

Desired Qualities and Qualifications

The Head of Miami Country Day School will be an experienced and dynamic school leader prepared to manage the day-to-day programs of a sophisticated independent school in a major urban center. S/he will also be eager to serve as an inspirational visionary for the school and the community of education nationwide. The next Head will be excited to embrace the distinctive climate and culture of Miami, a vibrant metropolis with deep historical roots and also profound influences from Europe and South America. More specifically, the next Head will exhibit:

• Proven capacity for team building and dynamic leadership through transition challenges. • Great integrity and a commitment to the best interests of every student every day. • Commitment to academic excellence that comes from deep knowledge of educational philosophy and practice. • Demonstrated experience as a teacher and in senior leadership roles at complex PK-12 schools. • The ability to build and support a strong team of administrative leaders with vision and strategic planning. • A willingness to be visible and present in the day-to-day life of the school by visiting classrooms, joining students and colleagues at lunch, and attending athletic contests, arts performances, etc. • Demonstrated experience at fundraising for an independent school. • Superb communication skills. • Excellent work ethic and energy. • Outstanding interpersonal skills that foster community-building within the school and also in the international community that is Miami.

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 14 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com 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 the Head of School position at Miami Country Day School; • 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 (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission) to:

Peter Philip Senior Associate [email protected]

Marlene Shaw Senior Consultant [email protected]

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 15 [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com