Upper School Dean of Students / 11th + 12th Grade Dean

Upper School Dean of Students / 11th +12th Grade Dean

Reports to: Director of Upper School

William Penn Charter School (Penn Charter) is a Quaker, all-gender, pre-K-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented, and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts, and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement, and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators, and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Position Summary

Penn Charter is seeking a dedicated and experienced educational leader to serve as Upper School Dean of Students and 11th and 12th Grade Dean. This position is twofold:

• The 11th and 12th Grade Dean serves as the primary administrator and point-person for students in the 11th and 12th grade as they move year-to-year through the Upper School. A Grade Dean's first priority is to support the progress and well-being of each student in the grade.
• The Upper School Dean of Students oversees and administers the division's (grades 9-12) student conduct policies as articulated in the school’s Community Code and helps promote a positive school culture through proactive student support and restorative practices. Under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Upper School, this position partners with the 9th and 10th Grade Dean and works with all members of the Upper School Leadership team to oversee the coherence and successful integration of the academic, social/emotional, and extracurricular components of Upper School students’ lives. This individual will serve as a thought leader and advocate for students and the Upper School community at large, helping to foster a positive, accountable, responsive, inclusive, and healthy environment for all community members.
  
  

Essential Functions

Student Conduct

• Oversee the student infraction process for grades 9-12, ensuring accountability, clear communication and thorough documentation
• Act as the primary lead for all major conduct concerns including investigating and documenting violations of the community code
• Provide education and training related to student conduct best practices
• Collaborate with the Community Council, serving as the Upper School administrative lead
• Support students and families as they navigate conduct issues, providing guidance and support to understand the process and implications
• In collaboration with the Upper School holistic restorative coordinator, serve as the administrative lead to investigate and address bias incidents reported through PC’s Bias Response Protocol
• Regularly collect and review data to inform programming and school policies and to communicate trends with the greater community
  
  

Administrative Support and Supervision (for Grades 11 and 12)

• Participate in planning and implementation of daily and yearly operation of the Upper School
• Communicate frequently and consistently with students, faculty, and caregivers
• Plan, organize, and execute grade-level programming, meetings, and events
• Collaborate with other faculty, staff, and departments to advance the priorities of the Upper School and PC, generally
  
  

Academic Support for Students in Grades 11 and 12

• Review, monitor, and attend to academic, attendance, and social emotional concerns of all students in the grade
• Collaborate and communicate with relevant stakeholders as needed in support of students in grades 11 and 12
• Review and edit formal academic reports for students in grades 11 and 12
• Support the Director and Assistant Director with course planning
• Holistic Support of Students in Grades 11 and 12
• Monitor the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students in grades 11 and 12 and communicate clearly and timely with relevant stakeholders
• Provide leadership to grade-level advisors in order to support students through the year and build out appropriate advisory curriculum
• Serve as a key member of the Wellness Team
  
  

Student Programming, Clubs, Activities, and Trips

In Collaboration With The 9th And 10th Grade Dean

• Oversee Upper School assemblies, clubs, and activities
• Mentor and support Student Council
• Collaborate with relevant grade student leadership on general and specific grade-level projects (e.g., proms)
  
  

Upper School Leadership Vision Work

• Prepare for and engage in rotational Upper School leadership team meetings
• Lead Upper School projects (e.g., study hall revision, grade-level experiences)
• Advocate for needs of the specific grade and provide guidance, feedback, and support to other grade deans
  
  

Responsibilities For All Members Of Upper School Team

• Maintain a daily presence in the schoolhouse and attend key Upper School after school events
• Provide support, guidance, and feedback to all members of the team
• Collaborate with relevant community members to support and enhance the integration of restorative practices in the Upper School
• Exercise discretion, regard for privacy and maintain confidentiality
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Upper School, Assistant Director of Upper School or their designee
  
  

Competencies

• Proven experience and competencies in educational leadership, specifically in managing student conduct
• Demonstrated ability to develop and iterate school policies and protocols in data-informed ways
• Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage inclusively and constructively with students, staff, and families from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated commitment to the education and well-being of adolescents and familiarity with the unique challenges and opportunities at the high school level
• Warmth, kindness, humor, and empathy for adolescents and their caregivers
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students and other community members
• Demonstrated capacity to inclusively and collaboratively plan and implement long-term projects that lead to clear and measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to solicit, analyze, and implement feedback in all areas of work
• Flexible approach and ability to organize multiple tasks and conflicting time constraints while maintaining an attention to detail
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and collaborative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, regard for privacy and maintain confidentiality
• Proficient use of computer software applications (e.g., Google Tools, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• Previous experience overseeing student conduct at the middle or upper school levels or in higher education
• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior teaching experience
• Knowledge of restorative practices
  
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism and Quaker education
• Master’s Degree in Education or a field related to the position
  
  

Physical demands

• Intermittent or prolonged periods of sitting and standing
• Ability to lift approximately 10 pounds
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions
  
  

Salary And Benefits

• William Penn Charter School offers competitive salaries and comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• William Penn Charter School is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.
  
  

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.