Head of Upper School (Grades 7-12) Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child – Summit, NJ
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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 independent school 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 Fordham University 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 New York 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 Manhattan, 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.