Assistant Head of School

About the Academy of St. Joseph

Founded in 2007 and located in New York City's West Village, the Academy of St. Joseph (AoSJ) is a small, independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. Guided by the values of Character, Competence, and Compassion, AoSJ prepares students to thrive intellectually, spiritually, and personally. The school is entering a new chapter of leadership and growth — and is building an administrative team to match the ambition of that moment.

Who We're Looking For

The right person for this role loves being in schools — in classrooms, in hallways, at curriculum nights, at graduation. They bring a genuine passion for teaching and learning, and they know how to help other educators grow. They are steady in the face of complexity, warm with families, and honest with the Head of School. They understand what it means to serve a mission larger than themselves — and they bring genuine alignment with the Catholic educational tradition that defines life at AoSJ. AoSJ is a small school with an outsized sense of purpose. The next Assistant Head of School will help define what excellent PreK–8 Catholic independent school education looks like in New York City.

Position Summary

The Assistant Head of School is a full-time, 12-month senior leadership role reporting directly to the Head of School. The AHOS serves as the school's primary instructional leader — ensuring that AoSJ's curriculum, culture, and community reflect its mission and values and owning the academic life of the Lower School, and supporting school-wide instructional coherence in partnership with the Director of Curriculum & Instruction.

In the near term, the AHOS will carry primary responsibility for Lower School division leadership while also serving as acting division head for the Upper School during the Director of Curriculum & Instruction's parental leave (September 2026-January 2027). The role also carries the formal designation of second-in-command to the Head of School, with authority to act in the Head's absence. The longer-term division of responsibilities between the AHOS and Director of Curriculum and Instruction will be refined collaboratively when the Director returns from parental leave in January 2027.

This is a role for a seasoned educator and leader — someone who loves the work of teaching and learning, who can build genuine relationships with faculty and families, and who brings both rigor and warmth to the daily life of a school.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership & Curriculum

The AHOS serves as the school's lead instructional administrator for the Lower School, working in close partnership with the Director of Curriculum & Instruction on school-wide academic coherence.
Oversee curriculum development, scope and sequence alignment, and instructional coherence across the school.
Lead, observe, and formally evaluate Lower School faculty — providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional growth support.
Plan and facilitate Lower School division meetings focused on instruction, student growth, and school culture
Review and approve lesson plans; maintain visibility into daily classroom practice through regular walkthroughs
Design and facilitate in-house professional development aligned with school priorities; research and coordinate external PD in partnership with the Head of School
Mentor new faculty through a structured onboarding process, including monthly check-ins and an initial orientation
Track 504 plans and coordinate with service providers (SETSS, Speech) and the Committee on Special Education as needed

Lower School Division Leadership

Serve as the primary divisional leader for Lower School (PreK–4), providing consistent presence, support, and direction for students, families, and faculty
Monitor and assess the academic and social progress of Lower School students
Generate, review, and send Lower School report cards each trimester
Oversee religious education in the Lower School
Organize and communicate Lower School conference days to faculty and parents
Design and lead Lower School Curriculum Night and related family academic events
Maintain accurate student records including registration, attendance, and Article 47 compliance; fill transcript requests as needed
Represent the school in CPSE meetings with the DOE as needed

School-Wide Academic Administration

Partner with the Head of School in designing and overseeing the academic calendar and instructional schedules.
Serve as acting Upper School division head during the Director of Curriculum & Instruction's parental leave (September 2026-January 2027), providing leadership presence, faculty support, and divisional continuity for Grades 5-8
Contribute to school-wide communications related to academic programming and divisional updates
Lead the school's NYSAIS accreditation process in partnership with the Head of School — coordinating the self-study, maintaining standards documentation, tracking follow-up commitments, and managing the school's ongoing relationship with NYSAIS.
Write, maintain, and update the Lower School section of the school's regular community update
Assist with conflict resolution and student discipline in partnership with the Head of School and Dean of Student Life
Arrange substitute coverage; coordinate and maintain faculty duty schedules
Write letters of recommendation for 8th-grade students as needed
Assist with after-school programming decisions and coverage in coordination with the administrative team

Community & Family Relationships

Build and sustain strong relationships with Lower School families — serving as the primary point of contact for academic concerns, disciplinary matters, and student support
Partner with the Head of School on student discipline and academic decision-making across divisions
Attend and actively participate in all school-wide events, PA meetings, and community gatherings
Participate in admissions activities including student assessments and visiting day coordination for the Lower School

Leadership & Second-in-Command Responsibilities

Act as the formal second-in-command to the Head of School — exercising decision-making authority in the Head's absence and serving as a visible, trusted leadership presence in the building
Lead faculty recruitment and hiring in partnership with the Head of School — including candidate sourcing, interview coordination, demo lesson facilitation, and reference review.
Participate in weekly administrative team meetings and contribute to school-wide strategic planning
Provide opening supervision on designated mornings (7:30–8:00 a.m.) and after-school supervision on designated days
Lead the review and updating of academic policies, the Employee and Family Handbooks, and school-wide procedures in coordination with the Head of School.
Attend Board of Trustees meetings as invited; support Board reporting on academic matters as requested by the Head of School

Qualifications

Required

Master's degree in education, school leadership, or a related field
Minimum 5 years of classroom teaching experience, with demonstrated instructional excellence
Minimum 3 years of school leadership experience (e.g., division head, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, or equivalent)
Experience with curriculum development, faculty evaluation, and instructional coaching
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with faculty, families, and students
New York State certification or eligibility in school administration/supervision (SBL or equivalent) preferred

Preferred

Experience leading in a PreK–8 or elementary school setting
Practicing Catholic or deep familiarity with and commitment to Catholic mission and identity in education
Familiarity with the NYC independent or Catholic school landscape
Experience working in a faith-based school community
Comfort with data-informed decision-making and student assessment systems
Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $125,000–$145,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plan, and professional development support. This is a full-time, 12-month position based on-site at AoSJ's campus in New York City.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Dan Faas, Head of School, at dfaas@aosj.us. The Academy of Saint Joseph is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Anticipated start date is July 15, 2026.