Assistant Head of Lower School (Interim)

La Jolla Country Day School is seeking a collaborative, thoughtful, and student-centered educational leader to join our Lower School leadership team as an Assistant Head of Lower School for the remainder of the 2026-2027 academic year. This role helps shape the holistic student experience, bringing together academic programming, student life, co-curricular experiences, faculty development, and strong partnerships with families. Working closely with the Head of Lower School, team leads, faculty, and schoolwide leaders, this individual will help create a cohesive, engaging, and mission-aligned experience for students while fostering collaboration and continuity across the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.

The ideal candidate is a reflective educator and relationship builder who combines a deep understanding of child development and teaching and learning with strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and a genuine enthusiasm for school life. They are energized by working with students, supporting faculty, partnering with families, and contributing to a vibrant educational community. A growth mindset, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning are essential to success in this role.

Why Join La Jolla Country Day School?

La Jolla Country Day School is dedicated to developing the scholar, artist, and athlete of character through a balanced, intentional educational experience. In the Lower School, academic excellence and character education are equally important, laying the foundation for students’ future academic success, personal growth, and global responsibility. Student voice, faculty collaboration, and strong family partnerships are central to building a connected and caring community.

Our students learn in a warm, spirited, and nurturing environment where curiosity, risk-taking, and growth are encouraged. We believe meaningful learning happens when students feel known, supported, challenged, and inspired to discover their strengths and develop their independence.

We are a mission-driven community committed to equity and belonging. We value educators and leaders who bring curiosity, flexibility, emotional intelligence, and a collaborative spirit to their work. This is an opportunity for an engaged educational leader to make a meaningful impact on students, faculty, and the broader school community.

What You'll Do

• Division Leadership & Operations
  • Partner with the Head of Lower School and other administrators to lead the daily life and operations of the division, fostering a supportive, orderly, and mission-aligned learning environment
  • Help establish, communicate, and implement division priorities, expectations, policies, and procedures
  • Coordinate academic scheduling, class enrollment, exploratory programming, and other academic planning processes
  • Develop and maintain the Lower School master calendar and coordinate key division activities and events
  • Communicate division programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and important information clearly and consistently to students, families, faculty, and other school constituencies
  • Maintain strong relationships and collaborate with Middle School, Upper School, and schoolwide colleagues to promote alignment and continuity across divisions
  • Keep the Head of Lower School informed of significant student matters, operational needs, and developments affecting the division
• Academic Leadership & Curriculum Development
  • Collaborate with team leads and faculty to review, develop, and evaluate curriculum, ensuring alignment with the school's mission, educational goals, instructional practices, and assessment approaches
  • Support the development and implementation of engaging, developmentally appropriate academic programs that respond to students' evolving needs
  • Oversee academic planning, student progress reporting, grading practices, and the maintenance of accurate academic records
  • Observe and support classroom instruction, provide constructive feedback, and work with faculty to strengthen teaching and learning
  • Serve as a resource to teachers on instructional methods, classroom management, assessment, and school procedures
  • Encourage reflective practice, innovation, and the ongoing evaluation of curriculum and instructional approaches
• Student Life, Well-Being & Community
  • Help cultivate a safe, inclusive, and engaging school environment that supports students' academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being
  • Establish and reinforce expectations for student behavior, attendance, citizenship, and dress in alignment with school policies and community values
  • Oversee student discipline with consistency, empathy, and sound judgment, including appropriate follow-through, family communication, and documentation
  • Support students as they navigate academic, social, and behavioral challenges, collaborating with teachers, counselors, families, and other school leaders as appropriate
  • Coordinate new student orientation and oversee new student homeroom assignments and related transitions
  • Support student leadership, character education, co-curricular activities, and student organizations in partnership with faculty sponsors and school leaders
  • Build meaningful relationships with students and foster a culture in which they feel known, valued, challenged, and supported
• Faculty Leadership & Professional Growth
  • Partner with the Head of Lower School and other school leaders to support faculty supervision, classroom observation, performance evaluation, and professional growth
  • Collaborate with team leads, faculty committees, and other teacher leaders to advance division priorities and strengthen teaching and learning
  • Support the orientation and integration of new faculty and contribute to ongoing professional development and reflective practice
  • Provide guidance to teachers on instructional strategies, classroom management, student support, and school policies and procedures
  • Lead and facilitate faculty meetings that address division operations while encouraging thoughtful dialogue about educational practice, philosophy, and school priorities
  • Contribute to faculty hiring, retention, and assignment recommendations in collaboration with school leadership
  • Foster a professional culture grounded in trust, mutual respect, collaboration, continuous improvement, and appreciation for the individual strengths of each faculty member
• Family Partnership & Admissions
  • Coordinate parent-teacher conferences, including scheduling, communication, and related recordkeeping
  • Partner with teachers, families, and school counselors to support student progress and address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional concerns
  • Communicate thoughtfully and professionally with families, navigating challenging conversations with empathy, clarity, and sound judgment
  • Participate in the admissions process by assisting with applicant testing, interviews, and evaluation
  • Help strengthen family engagement and build a sense of connection and belonging across the Lower School community
• Professional Growth & School Engagement
  • Participate actively in the life of the school, maintaining a visible and engaged presence in classrooms, throughout campus, and at school events
  • Engage in ongoing professional learning and stay informed about emerging educational practices, curriculum development, child development, and student well-being
  • Approach change with openness, adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to continuous improvement
  • Contribute positively to the culture and future direction of LJCDS through thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to the school's mission and values

Who You Are

• Student-Centered & Developmentally Attuned: You understand the academic, social, and emotional needs of Lower School students and are committed to creating an environment where children feel known, supported, and encouraged to grow.
• Collaborative Educational Leader: You build trust, work effectively with colleagues, and understand that strong schools are built through shared responsibility, clear communication, and a common vision.
  
• Reflective & Growth-Oriented: You embrace feedback, approach challenges with curiosity, and seek opportunities to learn, improve, and help others grow.
  
• Emotionally Intelligent & Thoughtful: You demonstrate empathy, self-awareness, and sound judgment. You navigate complex situations with care, maintain appropriate confidentiality, and balance individual needs with the well-being of the broader community.
  
• Decisive & Organized: You bring creativity and initiative to leadership while managing operational responsibilities with attention to detail, efficiency, and accountability.
  
• An Exceptional Communicator: You listen with empathy, speak with clarity, and write with precision. You can engage meaningfully with children, adolescents, adults, and families and navigate challenging conversations with professionalism and respect.
  
• Adaptable & Resilient: You respond constructively to change, manage competing priorities, and remain composed and solutions-oriented in a dynamic school environment.
  
• A Community Builder: You value diverse perspectives, foster equity and belonging, and contribute to a culture of respect, integrity, inclusion, and shared purpose.
  
• Engaged in the Life of the School: You enjoy being present in classrooms, connecting with students and colleagues, attending school events, and contributing to the broader LJCDS community.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field preferred
• Successful teaching experience, ideally at the Lower School level, with a strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate teaching practices
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an independent school or comparable educational setting; experience as a dean, department chair, team lead, grade-level leader, or in a similar role preferred
• Knowledge of curriculum development, instructional practices, assessment, and academic planning
• Experience supporting school operations, including scheduling, class placement, and student academic planning
• Experience with student life programming, character education, student leadership, advisory programs, or co-curricular activities preferred
• Ability to support faculty through collaboration, instructional feedback, classroom observation, and professional development
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful relationships with students, families, faculty, and administrators and to navigate sensitive situations with discretion and sound judgment
• Commitment to professional growth, inclusive practices, and the school's mission and values
• Willingness to be an active and visible member of the LJCDS community, including participation in school events and activities

Work Environment & Schedule

• Full-time, on-campus leadership position within the Lower School.
• Work takes place in a dynamic school environment, including offices, classrooms, and other campus spaces.
• Responsibilities require regular interaction with students, faculty, families, and school leaders, as well as movement throughout campus.
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments may be required for parent-teacher conferences, school events, and other school responsibilities.
• The role requires the ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions, and respond flexibly to the changing needs of a school community.
• Physical demands may include prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, standing, walking throughout campus, bending, reaching, and occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Additional Employment Requirements

All school personnel must successfully complete a fingerprint background check through Live Scan and provide current tuberculosis clearance.

Salary Range

$104,000-128,000 annualized. The salary offer to the successful candidate will depend on factors including experience, education, training, and relevant skills.

To be considered, please submit

• Your current resume or CV
• A cover letter describing your interest in the position and how your experience and leadership approach align with the needs and mission of La Jolla Country Day School

We value authenticity in the application process and ask that candidates refrain from using AI tools to generate their application materials.