School Description:
The Peak School is an independent middle and high school in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Peak opened its doors in 2012 to provide the only independent school option for middle and high school students in Summit County. The school has grown since its inception to serve grades 6-12 with 70 students currently enrolled, 6 full time teachers, and an equal number of part-time adjunct teachers. For social and academic reasons, we would like to see the school’s enrollment expand to at least 112 students – 16 for each of grades 6-12.
The Peak School combines personalized progressive education with high academic expectations. The Coalition of Essential Schools’ Ten Common Principles serve as the foundation for our program. Our affiliation with the Coalition and our relationships with other progressive schools and educational organizations around the country offer us opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing with institutions that embrace similar educational practices. The Peak School is more than a school; it is a community that consists of families, educators, and community members all working toward the same mission: to ignite a passion for learning; to develop students of diverse talents and backgrounds who think critically and act with integrity; and to graduate compassionate, confident, capable students who will embrace their roles as local and global citizens.
Peak is made up of a middle school serving grades 6-8 and an upper school serving grades 9-12. Students at Peak progress through four Divisions in their time at the school: Division I comprised of sixth graders, Division II comprised of seventh and eighth graders, Division III comprised of ninth, tenth and eleventh graders, and Division IV comprised of twelfth graders. Each Division hones essential skills for students to succeed academically and civically at Peak and beyond. The Division structure allows for heterogeneous classes that encourage cognitive and social growth through multi-age interactions.
In the last several years we have refined our curricular program to include outdoor educational experiences that embrace the rich natural environment within which our school is situated; rigorous, hands-on science courses; art classes in cooperation with local artists; humanities courses that critically examine literature and art in their historical and cultural contexts; and a robust college advising program for our rising graduates.
Teachers, staff and students at Peak enjoy an inclusive community that strongly emphasizes the importance of relationship- and community-building. The culture at Peak resembles that of the surrounding Summit County community; the atmosphere is relaxed, students and teachers are on a first-name basis and can often be found in a classroom or communal space sharing stories about their weekend adventures in the mountains or nearby Denver.
Still in its early stages of growth and development, there is tremendous opportunity for innovation at Peak. Peak’s next Head of School will continue to develop the school toward its mission. To that end, in the spirit of the school’s commitment to democracy, our incoming Head of School will work in collaboration with teachers and staff to deliver meaningful educational experiences through a personalized, progressive teaching and learning model, and to develop and encourage a mutually respectful communal atmosphere among students, families and faculty.
Setting:
The Peak School is located in idyllic Frisco, Colorado in Summit County. In the midst of the Rocky Mountains, Summit County is the home to world-class ski resorts Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Arapahoe Basin. It offers the ideal home for active, outdoor enthusiasts with a deep appreciation for nature. Offering year-round outdoor activities from downhill and cross country skiing in the winter to rafting, mountain biking, hiking and camping in the summer, Summit County residents enjoy all that life in the mountains has to offer. Residents of the region enjoy a relaxed lifestyle that allows them to indulge in the activities that they truly love.
Only an hour-long drive from Denver, Summit County locals enjoy the benefits of access to an international city. Denver is home to many museums, fine dining restaurants, sporting events, music venues, and theater. Teachers at The Peak School frequently take their students on day trips to Denver to visit exhibits at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, theater performances, and to attend other cultural events hosted in the city.
Peak students and teachers embrace the outdoor activities afforded by the surrounding Rocky Mountains and the cultural and recreational opportunities available in nearby Denver. After any given weekend, Peak students and teachers share stories of their adventures playing soccer, attending a concert in Denver, or skiing all day at nearby ski resort.
Strengths and Opportunities:
One of Peak’s greatest strengths is the people who fill the building on a daily basis. Peak students and families are warm, welcoming, involved, and diverse in talents and experiences. Our school’s staff is exceptional both in their content and pedagogical knowledge, and in the individual experiences and unique personalities that they bring to the school community. Our Peak community is what makes our school truly special.
From the way that we teach our students to the way that we run our school, Peak offers a forgiving learning environment. Our emphasis is on growth and the development of new skills and ideas, values that we hold for all of our constituents from students to teachers to Board members.
The Peak School Board of Trustees has evolved over the years into a cohesive group that is deeply committed to the school’s mission and principles. The Board works together with mutual respect and cooperation; decision-making largely occurs by consensus, rather than by divided votes, a practice that has strengthened Board discourse and engagement while building cohesive support for board decisions. The Board has a shared commitment to good governance, separating strategic leadership (at the board level) from operational leadership (an administrative function). The Board has a strong partnership with the Head of School and supportive relations with other staff and faculty.
Our school has come a long way in five years, but it is still in its infancy. Peak’s youth is one of its great strengths, as it offers our students, staff and our next Head of School opportunities for growth and evolution in all areas.
Challenges:
Generally an asset to The Peak School, the Rocky Mountains produce long, snowy winters. For the ski and snowshoeing enthusiast, these winters are a major asset. However for those less familiar with life at 9,500 feet above sea level, the winters can prove to be an adjustment.
Peak faces some challenges in terms of student enrollment and retention. At the natural transition point between middle and high school, from 8th grade to 9th grade, student retention has proved to be a bit of a challenge; some of our rising high school students are enticed to attend the local public high school for a larger, more traditional secondary school experience. In the next several years, enrollment and retention must increase to improve the financial sustainability of the school and social experience for students at Peak.
Furthermore, the current stream of revenue relies heavily on tuition and large donations. In addition to being a key player in our student recruitment efforts, our next Head of School will be heavily involved in fundraising efforts including securing funding from grants and other sources to ensure Peak’s financial stability.
Peak embraces a growth-mindset for our program and all of our constituents, teachers, students, and board members alike. As such, still in its early years of existence, Peak has evolved every year since its inception to meet the shifting demands of our school community and strengthen our program. Since 2012 Peak has expanded to accommodate one additional grade per year while remaining committed to its mission and principles. These annual changes have caused procedural and cultural shifts from year to year. Now that the school is fully operational for grades 6-12 we hope to steady those changes while remaining faithful to our commitment to critical self-reflection and adaptability to best meet the needs of our school community.
Qualities Sought:
The Peak School is seeking a dynamic educational leader with strong administrative experience and a commitment to progressive education to be our next Head of School for a minimum 3-year term. Reporting to the chair of the Board of Trustees, the Head of School will have overall responsibility for academic quality and institutional strength at Peak. Our Head of School will be an active member of both The Peak School and the surrounding Summit County community.
We are looking for a candidate who possesses the leadership, presence and experience that will help Peak to continue to grow and fulfill its mission.
The Peak School is seeking a Head of School that is a:
- Team builder who attracts and develops talent, delegates effectively, and empowers teachers, administrators, and others to provide leadership to their respective groups. The Head will also build a strong partnership with the Board of Trustees.
- Visible presence and accessible counselor who is approachable, caring, a great listener, and who makes a special effort to know and be known by members of the Peak community.
- Strategic thinker who sees the big picture and identifies major potential opportunities for advancing the mission of the school.
- Articulate ambassador and advocate who unites Peak’s current constituencies and attracts prospective families by telling Peak’s story persuasively in person and through various media.
- Educational innovator who is attuned to the major new trends in education and will want to foster innovation at Peak.
- Fiscal shepherd who ensures that the school enhances, develops and carefully manages its financial and capital resources.
Head of School Responsibilities:
● Setting the Tone:
○ In close collaboration with the faculty, staff and Board of Trustees, uphold the mission and vision of the school.
○ Be the educational leader of the school while also leading the school as a business on the path to success.
○ Create an orderly environment in which learning can take place; foster a school climate that is supportive and reflects high morale.
○ Be aware of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the students in the school and develop plans for meeting those needs.
○ Be a visible presence in all areas of the school; work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique - as they arise; keep the Chair of the Board aware of all issues as needed.
○ Work closely with the Board of Trustees and the Board Chair.
● Leadership of Faculty:
○ Retain, hire, and assign all staff and faculty.
○ Oversee the coordination of co-curricular and extracurricular activities, including the recruitment of community members to offer these programs.
○ Work with the faculty and appropriate administrative and support staff, colleagues and administrative colleagues regarding the support and retention of students and families.
○ Oversee preparation of a master class schedule.
○ Strive for unity, harmony, and cooperation through respect, helpfulness and recognition of individual differences and the special abilities and strengths of each teacher.
○ Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, teaching methods, and general school procedures.
○ Observe, supervise, and help evaluate the faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; supervise the teaching process; review and evaluate the academic programs.
○ Ensure that the school’s mission is articulated through school goals, departmental goals, course objectives, materials, methods and means of assessment.
○ Establish programs for the orientation of new teachers, in-service training of all teachers, and evaluation of classroom teachers, to ensure that teachers are familiar with and adhere to school policies and mission.
○ Conduct regular meetings with the faculty that deal both with routine school matters and with the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern.
● Academic Support for Students
○ Provide for academic guidance.
○ Maintain complete academic records on all students; oversee the grading and reporting of standards and methods used by teachers in measuring student achievement.
○ Assure that all students meet the credit requirements for graduation and generate transcripts for students as they move into post-secondary educational environments.
○ Assume responsibility for working with the Peak community, faculty, parents and students, to determine, communicate, and uphold expectations for student conduct that is aligned with the school’s mission and principles. The Head of School will work with all constituents to establish guidelines for proper student conduct and dress; maintain student discipline consistent with the school’s mission and philosophy; monitor, along with other school community members, students’ adherence to established school rules; maintain accurate records of student attendance and citizenship.
○ Assist in the admission process for testing, interviewing, and evaluation of applicants for enrollment.
● Communication with Parents:
○ Maintain timely and relevant communication with parents and facilitate faculty communication with parents regarding routine matters and unique situations.
○ Organize parent education meetings to discuss issues that are timely and relevant to The Peak School educational program.
○ Develop a trusting relationship with parents, and assist in the management of volunteers and the parent organization.
● Administrative Responsibilities:
○ Collaborate with and oversee all school business operations with the Business Manager.
○ Oversee all recruitment and student retention programs in collaboration with the Admissions Director and Marketing and Public Relations Director who also supports recruitment efforts.
○ Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies; maintain the educational standards established by the State of Colorado and by those agencies that examine and accredit the School.
○ Lead the faculty and staff to comply with recommendations from our accrediting agency and prepare evidence for our second accreditation review.
○ Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Trustees.
● Community Relations:
○ Develop relationships with Summit County community organizations.
○ Attend Summit County community events as a representative of The Peak School.
○ Cultivate and maintain relationships with schools and school leaders both locally and across our nation-wide network of progressive schools.
○ Lead, alongside Board of Trustees, fundraising and development efforts, including grant writing.
Requirements: The Head of School will have experience in middle or high school classrooms, school leadership, management (e.g., principal, vice principal, department chair) and a deep commitment to progressive education. Peak is also seeking a Head of School with a background in budgeting, grant writing and fundraising. Experience with interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential education, project-based learning, the Coalition of Essential Schools and, the accreditation process are also preferred.
Education: The successful candidate will have earned a Bachelor’s degree with a Master’s degree preferred.
Relocation Costs: Negotiable
Application Materials:
Candidates should submit the following to applications@thepeakschool.education for consideration:
● Cover letter
● Resume
● Statement of educational philosophy
● Salary requirements and start date availability.
● List of three professional references who can comment on your abilities, character, and achievements. At least one reference should be a recent employer or graduate school instructor if applicable. If you have been a school administrator or department chair, one reference should be from a teacher who worked under your leadership. Other references may be colleagues, students, or parents of students.
● Response to the following prompt: Of the Ten Common Principles (see The Peak School website: http://thepeakschool.education/about/mission-philosophy), which do you feel best able to support through your daily work as a Head of School? Briefly describe how you would support this principle as the leader of The Peak School.
● Any additional credentials that you see as relevant to your application.