Head of Upper School (Grades 7-12) Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child – Summit, NJ

Dedicated to excellence in academics, the development of faith, and an emphasis on the whole child, Oak Knoll, a member of the Holy Child Network of Schools, offers a premier college preparatory program for girls in its grades 7–12 Upper School. For a position to begin in July 2020, Oak Knoll is seeking an inspiring, collaborative, Catholic educator to lead its vibrant Upper School.

Founded in 1924 by the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, Upper School enjoys a robust enrollment and attracts Oak Knoll is a Catholic, independent day school with engaging and motivated young women of faith. Recent a coeducational Lower School (K-6) and an all-girls successes in the division’s performing arts and athletic Upper School (7-12). As a member of the Holy Child programs have further bolstered the school’s profile in Network, Oak Knoll is grounded in the educational the community. philosophy of Cornelia Connelly, who valued the Current Upper School Head, Jennifer Landis, will growth of the whole child “in all learning and all become Head of School in July 2021. She will serve as virtues.” Upper School Head and Associate Head of School Located on 11 acres in suburban Summit, NJ, Oak during the 2019-2020 school year, and as Associate Knoll is recognized as a top-rated institution in an area Head of School in 2020-2021. Under Ms. Landis’s that values education. Oak Knoll draws from more leadership, the division has grown in its sense of than 65 surrounding communities. There are 325 girls community and demonstrated commitment to enrolled in the Upper School, with 192 children in the developing students academically, morally, socially, Lower School. While the student body is artistically, and athletically at the highest level. The predominantly Catholic, Oak Knoll welcomes next Upper School Head will benefit from Ms. Landis’s children, as well as faculty and staff, of all faiths. wisdom as they join a dynamic team of educators and students who are committed to sustaining Oak Knoll’s Families recognize the value of Oak Knoll’s faith-based traditions and laying the foundation for its future. education and its warm, caring atmosphere. The

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

OAK KNOLL AT A GLANCE

Mission: Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, Judeo-Christian in heritage, Roman Catholic in teaching and worship, is an for boys and girls in kindergarten through grade 6 and young women in grades 7 through 12. The Oak Knoll community commits to the education and growth of the whole child, as envisioned by Cornelia Connelly, the founder of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Engaged in the challenges of the world, the school cultivates a faith commitment that promotes and inspires a joyous personal relationship with God. In a learning climate that is based on trust and reverence for the dignity and uniqueness of each person, Oak Knoll provides an intellectually challenging and creative program of study that fosters excellence in every aspect of school life and prepares our graduates to “meet the wants of the age.” Welcoming a diverse student body, our learning community develops inquisitive students who think critically, embrace knowledge, respond with moral and ethical integrity, and make responsible choices that enrich their own lives and contribute to the lives of others.

Core Beliefs: Oak Knoll’s community believes that: God is central in our lives. Understanding and appreciating differences lead to the A nurturing educational environment supports the celebration of diversity. development of mind, body, and spirit. A cooperative spirit and generous nature are essential to A rich and engaging curriculum promotes intellectual and living the Holy Child philosophy. personal growth. Each person is called to work for principles of justice, peace, An open mind leads to a lifetime of learning. and compassion in every facet of life. All voices deserve to be heard and respected. With God working in us, we "can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20 Each person has gifts and talents that enrich the community.

Vision: Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child will be — and be recognized as — one of the finest independent Catholic schools in the country, preparing a diverse community of learners through rigorous academics, vibrant arts, competitive athletics, and service to others for lives of purpose and meaning in a global society.

Diversity Statement: Oak Knoll’s mission as a Holy Child school compels us to sustain a diverse, inclusive school community. Our mission charges us to educate students to honor the dignity of every person, to work for justice, peace, and compassion, and to make responsible choices in a complex world. We foster cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and religious diversity through a coherent system of administrative, academic, community, and extracurricular programs. This commitment to embrace our differences is fundamental to our purpose and future.

AFFILIATIONS FACULTY AND STAFF ACCREDITATION: Middle States Association of Colleges and SCHOOLWIDE FACULTY 88 Secondary Schools, New Jersey Association of UPPER SCHOOL FACULTY 60 Independent Schools, Holy Child Network of Schools US FACULTY WITH ADVANCED DEGREES 72% MEMBER: National Association of Independent Schools, STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO 7:1 New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, PHYSICAL PLANT National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, Online School for Girls LOCATION: 11-acre campus in suburban Summit, NJ

ENROLLMENT, FINANCIAL AID, & FINANCES FACILITIES: 18,000-volume library, state-of-the-art science and technology labs, a 400-seat auditorium, full-sized 2018–19 ENROLLMENT 520 gym, arts wing, and three athletic fields LOWER SCHOOL (K-6) 196 UPPER SCHOOL (7-12) 324 ENDOWMENT $14.2 million TUITION $39,500 ON THE WEB: www.oakknoll.org FINANCIAL AID $2 million to 20% of students

DEFINING STRENGTHS AND UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF OAK KNOLL

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child offers a first-rate independent school education within a warm, supportive community that reflects the school’s mission and grounding in the Holy Child Philosophy and Goals. Oak Knoll is unique in the Summit area as the only school whose mission derives directly from the educational philosophy of the Society of the Holy Child, which is committed to the education and growth of the whole child in a spiritual environment.

THE STUDENT BODY

Oak Knoll’s Upper School enrolls 325 girls and the Lower School enrolls 192 children in its coeducational program. Excellent public transportation and a school van service make the school easily accessible, and Oak Knoll draws from more than 65 surrounding communities. More than 81 percent of Oak Knoll’s students are Catholic, and the school welcomes members of all faiths. Twenty- two percent are students of color, and one in five students at the school receives some form of financial assistance.

Exceptional college preparation and a strong focus on student engagement with the learning process are characteristics of the Oak Knoll experience. Mean SAT scores for the Class of 2018 were 653 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 649 for Math. The mean ACT Composite score was 30.1. In 2018, Oak Knoll had 31 AP Scholars, 10 AP Scholars with Honor, 18 AP Scholars with Distinction, and one National AP Scholar.

Oak Knoll graduates attend many of the country's leading colleges and universities. One hundred percent of its graduates enter four-year undergraduate programs. Three or more students matriculated at each of the following institutions between 2014 and 2018: Boston College Princeton University University of Notre Dame Bucknell University George Washington Providence College University of Pennsylvania Colgate University University Saint Joseph’s University (PA) University of Richmond College of the Holy Cross Georgetown University Skidmore College University of Southern Calif. Cornell University Harvard University Southern Methodist University of Virginia Davidson College Lafayette College University Vanderbilt University Dickinson College Lehigh University Stanford University Villanova University Duke University Loyola University, Maryland Tulane University Wake Forest University Elon University University University of Michigan Yale University FACULTY AND STAFF

When students were asked what they liked best about Oak Knoll, the overwhelming response was “the teachers.” Parents, administrators, and students alike comment on the close relationships teachers have with individual students. The faculty is viewed as accessible, caring, and willing to go the extra mile.

The faculty and administration at Oak Knoll work collaboratively to ensure the highest level of academic programs. The new Head of Upper School will join a professional community of experienced educators. Nearly three-quarters of faculty in the division hold advanced degrees, and many teachers have been at the school for more than 10 years.

LOCATION AND FACILITIES

Oak Knoll’s location in Summit is desirable on many levels. Only 25 miles west of New York City, Summit is a major transportation hub with 30-minute direct access to , Newark Liberty International Airport, and major highways. More than 21,000 people call Summit home, and residents speaking more than 25 languages make it an economically and culturally diverse area. A walkable downtown, art galleries, and antique shops, along with architecturally significant buildings (some dating from the mid-18th century), make Summit a cultural destination. Acres of parkland, a municipal golf course, and a family aquatic center add to the community’s overall appeal. Summit is also home to the Reeves-Reed Arboretum, listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

Upper School classrooms are located in Connelly, Grace, and Tisdall Halls with Lower School classrooms situated in Bonaventura Hall. Additional campus highlights are the Hope Memorial Library, a multimedia facility that supports the academic life of the school; the Bonaventura Chapel; and the Grace Hall Chapel, where the Oak Knoll community celebrates mass every week. The Mother Mary Campion Center is home to the school auditorium and a conference room. On-campus athletic facilities include tennis courts and the gymnasium in Tisdall Hall, which also houses a dance studio, locker rooms, and classrooms. Upper School field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and softball are played on Oak Knoll’s state of the art turf athletic fields in nearby Chatham. Recent renovations to the grounds include a serene prayer garden open at all times for all community members, as well as turf fields at both the Summit campus and Chatham athletic facilities.

The school owns a house adjacent to campus that may be available for the next Head of Upper School to occupy should it suit their circumstances.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE UPPER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Oak Knoll’s academic program is rooted in the guiding principle of all Holy Child schools, that the school must “meet the wants of the age.” Oak Knoll’s faculty are aware that classroom instruction must adapt to new needs and technological advances. The curriculum and teaching at Oak Knoll is continually evolving, informed by the spiritual context of the community. The school strives to keep the “whole child” at the center of its educational project and prepares each individual for a lifetime of faith, wisdom, and service. To that end, Oak Knoll offers a rigorous education and recognizes that every student has gifts and talents to share with the community.

Oak Knoll’s Upper School offers an intellectually challenging college-preparatory program that recognizes the needs of girls. As a single-sex school for young women, Oak Knoll pays close attention to gender issues in the classroom, in the curriculum, and in the wider world. A strong emphasis on developing leadership opportunities and capabilities exists across the program, and in recent years, the division has placed an increased emphasis on the health and well- being of its students.

Oak Knoll is known for its strong culture of community service. Every student is asked to reflect on the needs of others and answer the Christian call to justice. School-wide service days, domestic and international service trips, and ongoing relationships with local service organizations offer myriad opportunities for students to do good and connect with the mission and values of the school. Upper School students play a lead role in sustaining the culture of service at Oak Knoll. For example, they work with Lower School teachers to plan donation drives and activities for younger students.

Because the Upper School serves girls in grades 7 through 12, it has devised unique programs that reflect age- appropriate offerings. In fall 2015, the Upper School moved from a trimester system to a semester system with 42- minute classes each meeting five times on a six-day cycle. Prompted by in-depth study of recent research on adolescent behavior and brain development, the division implemented a block schedule, with each academic class meeting for 75 minutes every other day on an eight-day cycle, beginning in fall 2016. For a detailed look at Oak Knoll’s Upper School Curriculum, visit https://www.oakknoll.org/academics/upper-school-all-girls-7-12. Here are some highlights:

THE SEVENTH- AND EIGHTH-GRADE PROGRAM

The seventh and eighth-grade program at Oak Knoll prepares students for the academic rigors of high school while fostering individuality, self-worth and a sense of community. Recognizing that early adolescence is a crucial developmental stage for girls, Oak Knoll has created a special program of study for girls in grades seven and eight that meets their unique needs. While these students are fully integrated into the life of the Upper School — enjoying the benefits of close proximity to their older peers — the seventh- and eighth-grade girls have their own activities, sports teams, and guidance program. All students in the middle grades study Spanish, French, or Latin, in addition to English, history, mathematics, theology, science, computer science, creative arts, physical education, and health. Hands-on activities and social interaction are emphasized across the curriculum, and students are paired with older “sisters,” who help guide them through their transition to upper school.

THE NINTH-THROUGH-TWELFTH-GRADE PROGRAM

For girls in grades 9 through 12, Oak Knoll offers a comprehensive program that prepares students for admission to the most selective colleges and universities. A wide range of Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered in addition to Oak Knoll’s college preparatory curriculum.

Graduation requirements include four years of theology and English; three years of a world language, mathematics, laboratory science, physical education, and history, with one year devoted to American history; two years of creative arts and health; one year of computer concepts & digital media and driver education; and nine credits (or three years) from a rich array of elective course offerings. A highlight of the elective offerings is Honors Engineering Science; Oak Knoll is one of the few all-girls schools in the country to offer engineering. Technology is an essential piece of the Oak Knoll curriculum and is seamlessly integrated throughout. Students in grades seven through 12 are provided laptops for their four years of high school. An early one-to-one laptop school, Oak Knoll continuously evaluates and revises its technology offerings.

In the spring of 2017, Oak Knoll launched its Global Learning Initiative. The School offers exchange programs with Jesuïtes Sarrià Sant Ignasi and Jesuïtes Lleida Collegi Claver Raimat in Spain, as well as Lycée Sacré Cœur in France, for sophomore, junior and senior French and Spanish students in level III or higher. For two weeks every fall, Oak Knoll welcomes students from its sister schools through a home-stay program. Upper School students then visit schools in Spain and France for two weeks in the spring.

The culminating event of an Oak Knoll education is the Senior Capstone Project, introduced in 2010. During the month of May, after several months of planning, seniors individually explore areas of interest beyond the classroom walls. Projects may be academic, creative, professional, or service-oriented in nature, and students gain real-life work experience, collaborating with a professor, specialist, or manager in an internship position. Seniors are required to devote a minimum of 60 hours to their projects, demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and time management skills. As part of Oak Knoll’s endeavor to promote the growth of the whole child, the Senior Capstone Project helps to further the development of mature students capable of making and acting upon responsible choices, which enrich their lives and contribute to the lives of others. In June, students make oral presentations, sharing their experiences with peers, faculty, and the junior class.

In addition, the guidance program at Oak Knoll is designed to help girls navigate Upper School life. Group guidance classes meet once per cycle for every grade level in the Upper School. A Dean of Teaching and Learning and two Deans of Student Life provide a range of support services. Members of the senior class at Oak Knoll are seen as role models for underclasswomen, and the school has developed an impressive framework for student leadership – especially the school’s Peer Leadership program and expansive Student Council. The goal is for every member of the senior class to take on a leadership role for her final year at Oak Knoll. Leadership training is part of the academic curriculum and supported by the guidance program and the Athletic Department’s new LEAD program.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

Oak Knoll takes seriously its mission to “foster a faith commitment that engenders a joyous personal relationship with God in addressing the challenges of the world.” Campus Ministry is a vibrant aspect of student life, described in Oak Knoll’s literature as “the experiential aspect of the religion and theology programs—practicing Catholicism in light of Holy Child traditions into the areas of liturgy, prayer experiences, reflection days, community service, and outreach.” Oak Knoll also offers a special opportunity to seniors to apply to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

While community service hours are not required at Oak Knoll, service is an essential part of the school’s life. Students are involved in a wide range of programs throughout the school year, and maintain a service portfolio for reflecting on their personal experiences. An annual Service Day finds Upper School students and faculty working at more than a dozen different sites, each member of the community sharing a morning of service. That afternoon the community gathers for reflection at an assembly and prayer service focused on the call to service at Oak Knoll and beyond. The Holy Child commitment to the principles of justice, peace, and compassion is alive and well at Oak Knoll.

ARTS

Students cite participation in Oak Knoll’s performing and visual arts programs as one of the most meaningful aspects of their experience at the school. Guided by a basic philosophy that, “It is essential to our development as a society that we embrace the artist’s creations because the arts serve to make our lives more complete,” Oak Knoll requires that its students take four fine arts courses. Many students further their commitment to the arts by taking elective courses in their junior and senior years. Each year, approximately 100 students participate in the choral program and approximately one-third of each senior class chooses to take art, dance, music, or photography courses in addition to a full course load. Newly enhanced facilities, including a light-filled studio space, a 400-seat performing arts center, a tiered choral music room, and a dark room with a photo lab offer impressive showcases for student exhibitions and performances. Oak Knoll’s selective dance clubs and vocal ensemble are noteworthy for the range and quality of their performances. The school’s Ensemble chorus performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009 and has since traveled to Italy, Ireland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.

ATHLETICS

At Oak Knoll, athletics enhance the development of the whole child; student athletes, on 13 varsity and seven junior varsity teams, demonstrate discipline, loyalty, and teamwork. Every season more than 50 percent of Upper School students participate on teams, which include basketball, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, and volleyball. Girls in grades seven and eight participate in interscholastic basketball, cross-country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, and softball. Oak Knoll is proud of its strong athletic tradition and regularly fields championship teams in field hockey and lacrosse. Teams play in the New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

The next Head of Upper School at Oak Knoll will step into a division with an exciting academic program, an enthusiastic faculty, and a strong enrollment. The school’s clear mission and the community’s commitment to supporting that mission have created a warm, faith-based environment. Current Head of Upper School, Jennifer Landis, is well-liked and highly respected by students, parents, and faculty alike. Since arriving at Oak Knoll in 2014, Ms. Landis has helped the division strengthen its identity and enhance its academic offerings to be more rigorous and forward thinking. Her successor will have a unique opportunity to be part of a thoughtful leadership transition that will begin with Ms. Landis’s promotion to Associate Head of School in 2020 and culminate with appointment as Head of School – replacing the long-serving Tim Saburn – in 2021.

Among the opportunities and challenges awaiting the next Head of Upper School are:

 Oak Knoll’s limited space (the school is landlocked) has inspired the school to rework its schedule with an eye toward maximizing facilities use while improving teaching and learning. Recently, the Upper School not only moved from a trimester system to a more traditional semester system, but it also switched to a block schedule. Predictably, the changes have led to some frustration as students and faculty adapt to a new routine, but the incoming Head of Upper School will be in an excellent position to leverage the strengths of the new schedule to improve the overall teaching and learning experience. Teachers enjoy more overall classroom time and opportunities to develop cross-curricular courses. Students have increased flexibility when it comes to co- curricular activities, and they benefit from a more varied and balanced school experience.

 The academic program offered at Oak Knoll has grown considerably over the past few years, and the community has embraced the changes with open arms. Still, faculty and parents believe that there is more work to be done to ensure that it represents the best of contemporary education and prepares students well for life in college and beyond. The division has been led well by Ms. Landis and is well prepared for a new leader who is eager to build on the unique strengths of the Upper School and maintain its innovative spirit. However, the Upper School is a high-functioning, tightly knit community, and an aggressive change agent would likely be met with some skepticism. The incoming leader will need to respect the division’s existing momentum and strengths while fulfilling the Oak Knoll’s commitment to innovation.

 The Upper School’s outstanding arts and athletic programs are significant assets to the division. Many families cite the strength of these programs as key to their decision to enroll their daughters in the school, but there is some concern among parents and teachers that the level of competition and drive to excel are placing undo pressure on students during a formative chapter in their lives. Though the Upper School is generally unified, there are a range of views regarding the importance of co-curricular activities – particularly athletics – to the identity of the division. Some members of the community are seeking assurances that the school’s core academic program will maintain its strength as opportunities for student growth, learning, and leadership beyond the classroom continue to expand.

 With a unique 7-12 grade configuration, the Upper School is always mindful of the opportunities and challenges that come with serving students across a wide range of ages. The needs of young women can vary greatly during their adolescent and early adult years, and the division has advisory and wellness programs in place to address many of them. The incoming Head of Upper School will need to ensure that these programs are evolve and expand to deliver on the school’s promise to educate the whole student and support their overall wellbeing.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

The Head of Upper School reports to the Head of School, serves as a member of the senior leadership team, and assumes the comprehensive responsibility for all activities involving students and faculty in the division. Her/his direct reports include the Deans of Students, Department Chairs, and the newly created Dean of Teaching and Learning. Specific responsibilities include the following:

 Upper School Leadership and Operations  Moral and Spiritual Development of Students  Hiring, Evaluation, and Retention of Faculty and Staff  Curricular Development and Review  Admissions

LEADERSHIP STYLE  A personable and engaging leader who strives for unity and harmony and relishes working with girls, knowing them as individuals, and celebrating their successes in an atmosphere of warmth and compassion.  An active and committed Catholic who embraces the goals and core values of the Holy Child mission and is able to act as the spiritual leader of the division.  An inspiring educational leader who will motivate and support excellence in teaching, while respecting and trusting the skill and passion of the faculty.  A visionary leader who is thoughtful, collaborative, and accessible to members of the Oak Knoll community and able to energize the division towards a common purpose.  An outgoing, dynamic leader who will be an appealing and persuasive advocate for Oak Knoll and its programs, within and outside the school community.

PERSONAL QUALITIES  Successful experience in teaching and administration, ideally in an independent school of high quality.  Experience in a single-sex school or a demonstrated interest in all-girls education is essential.  Excellent academic credentials, including an advanced degree; evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning; and engagement in curriculum planning for 21st century teaching.  Willingness to provide moral and spiritual leadership within the Oak Knoll community.  Integrity, strength of character, and sound decision-making skills.  Exceptional communication and listening skills, high energy, warmth, compassion, and a terrific sense of humor.  Cultural competence and a genuine appreciation of a variety of perspectives.  Enthusiasm for participating fully in the external aspects of school leadership, as well as attending student games, performances, and exhibitions.

ANTICIPATED SEARCH CALENDAR

Application deadline: September 25 Selection of semifinalists: October 7 Semifinalist interviews: October 19-20 Finalist visits: Late October and early November Appointment: November Starting date: July 2020

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SEARCH PROCESS

Acting on behalf of Oak Knoll, Wickenden Associates is actively recruiting outstanding leaders for this exceptional opportunity. The lead consultants are Jim Wickenden ([email protected]) and Nancy Kanach. Jim may be reached at (609) 683-1355.

Candidates should submit no later than Wednesday September 25 an application package including the following:

 A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position.

 A current résumé.

 A statement of educational philosophy.

 The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.)

 Optional: Other supporting material (e.g., articles, speeches, or letters of recommendation) that would be useful to the Search Committee.

These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to [email protected].

After an initial review of applicants, the Search Committee will interview selected candidates over the weekend of October 19-20. Shortly thereafter, finalists will be invited to Oak Knoll for a more comprehensive series of interviews. An appointment is anticipated by mid-November. Wickenden Associates will keep all applicants informed of their status throughout the process.

1000 Herrontown Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-7716 Tel: (609) 683-1355 Fax: (609) 683-1351 www.wickenden.com [email protected]