High School Assistant Head of School

Indianapolis, IN • Administration

Herron-Riverside High School

Description

Title: High School Assistant Head of School

Job Type: Full-Time

FLSA: Exempt

Campus: Herron Riverside High School

Department: Administration

Reports To: Head of School

Managing Employees: Yes

Salary Range:  Commensurate with experience

Job Description

The Assistant Head of School is a key member of the school leadership team, responsible for fostering a strong, student-centered culture that upholds Herron Classical Schools’ Core Values and Universal Behavior Policies. This role provides strategic leadership in student conduct, attendance, family partnership, and student leadership development, ensuring all scholars are supported in order to thrive academically and socially. The Assistant Head of School reports to the Head of School and works in close partnership with faculty, families, and community members to create a safe, inclusive, respectful, and joyful school environment where every student is seen, known, and set up for success.

Job Responsibilities

Administers the student conduct code and Universal Behavior Policies and supports faculty to ensure compliance with UBPs.  

Supervises Dean of Students.   

Builds strong, proactive relationships with families to support student success, foster positive engagement, and uphold the culture and values of the school community.

Oversees student conduct concerns. Helps parents and students understand behavioral requirements. 

Promotes an inclusive and equitable school environment by using data and reflection to ensure fair and equitable disciplinary practices and support systems that foster belonging for all students.

Monitors compulsory attendance requirements and investigates student attendance concerns. Helps parents and students understand attendance requirements and problem solves attendance issues.  Establishes a protocol for notifying parents of continued truancy.

Works collaboratively with faculty to develop systems for behavioral interventions that contribute to a productive, academic environment.

Processes expulsion due process notices as required by the Indiana Department of Education.

Develops and implements proactive strategies to address emerging negative behavioral patterns such as bullying, inappropriate interactions, and alcohol and drug use.  

Uses data to identify trends in student behavior, attendance, and engagement. Partners with faculty and leadership to implement responsive strategies and track progress.

Works collaboratively with counseling department to investigate hardship, neglect, and suspected child abuse cases. Initiates referrals to community resources (e.g., court systems, law enforcement, health care facilities, child welfare services, etc.).

Establishes and maintains student leadership activities that will enhance personal development including student government, mentoring activities, internships, etc.  

Serves as sponsor for signature student leadership organization, historically Argonaut 80.

Ensures students activities embody the network’s core values and that they are  meaningful experiences for students.  

Supports and encourages students and parents while respecting and maintaining confidentiality.  

Maintains and revises, as necessary, student handbook.

Maintains bell schedules and lunch schedules for late arrivals, early releases, exam days, special events, etc.

Responds to emergency calls for the purpose of notifying appropriate parties to address immediate safety issues.

Works collaboratively with administration to establish, supervise and enforce before and after school duties and procedures. Holds faculty and staff accountability for performing assigned duties.

Helps supervise student activities as directed (e.g., arrivals/departures, parking lots, lunch periods, hall duty, extracurricular programs, etc.).

Assists the Director of Operations with oversight of the school and security programs. 

Oversees disciplinary meetings with students and parents to identify barriers to success and resources to address these barriers.

Oversees whole-school student-related communication. 

Participates in parent conferences and IEP, 505, and ILP meetings as requested.

Attends school functions to show support of students and provide a leadership presence. 

As determined by network leadership, assists with overall supervision of Summer Academy.

When assisting with supervision of Summer Academy, administers the student conduct code and Universal Behavior Policies during Summer Academy.  

Attendance at scheduled faculty meetings, professional development meetings and other sessions as determined by the Head of School. 

Attendance at evening events that include but may not be limited to Parent Orientation, Meet the Teacher Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences and Open Houses.  The dates of these events are listed on the Master Calendar. 

An expectation of professional and ethical conduct and professional growth throughout the year.  

Collaboratively works with the administration and others to support the policies, guidelines, and working procedures for Herron Classical Schools.

Performs other duties as determined necessary by the Head of School.

An assignment of 260 days with additional P.T.O. days as approved by the Head of School.  

Competencies/Skills Required 

Leadership – Take responsibility for not only their decisions and work completed, but the decision and work of the entire organization. Inspires trust and supports others through authenticity and follow through. Maintains high ethical standards and shows consistency among principles. 

Communication & Collaboration – Constant communication with leaders to stay attuned to organizational initiatives, fostering relationships across the organization to instill trust and communication across the departments.

Strategic Approach – Ability to develop a strategic plan and vision. Visualizes long-term organization’s success and works to clarify long term goals. 

Initiative – Seeks to anticipate and respond to changes in the education landscape by understanding key characteristics, issues, and factors driving them. 

Outcomes/Measures of Success 

In their first year as Assistant Head of School, the individual in this role can aim to accomplish several key objectives, given the criteria provided. These goals can help establish a solid foundation for their work and create a positive impact on the school community:

1. Strengthen Student Conduct and Behavior Management

Implement and Review Policies: Ensure the student conduct code and Universal Behavior Policies are clearly communicated and consistently applied. Revise these policies as needed based on feedback and observations.

Develop Protocols: Establish a clear and effective protocol for notifying parents about truancy and behavioral issues. Ensure that this process is transparent and communicated effectively to all stakeholders.

2. Enhance Communication and Support Systems

Build Relationships: Work to build strong relationships with students, parents, and faculty. Establish yourself as a supportive resource for understanding and addressing attendance and behavioral requirements.

Create a Support Network: Develop systems for behavioral interventions in collaboration with faculty. This includes creating clear guidelines for interventions and ensuring these systems are well-understood and effectively utilized.

3. Address Behavioral Patterns and Emerging Issues

Proactive Strategies: Implement proactive strategies to tackle emerging negative behavioral patterns such as bullying, substance abuse, and other significant issues. This might involve creating awareness programs, support groups, or partnerships with community resources.

Collaborate with Counseling: Work closely with the counseling team to address and manage cases of hardship, neglect, and suspected abuse. Ensure that there is a streamlined process for initiating referrals to appropriate community resources.

4. Develop and Support Student Leadership

Establish Leadership Programs: Set up or enhance student leadership activities, including student government, mentoring programs, and internships. Ensure these programs are impactful and align with the school’s core values.

Sponsor Leadership Organization: Serve as the sponsor for a key student leadership organization, ensuring it operates effectively and provides valuable experiences for students.

By focusing on these objectives, the Assistant Head of School can establish a strong presence, address immediate needs, and set the stage for long-term success in promoting a positive and productive school environment.

Job Requirements:

5-10 years teaching experience required, preferably in a culturally diverse high school.

Experience leading groups and working in teams to achieve academic success.

Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and changing priorities.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Proficient with Microsoft Office products.

Bachelors’ Degree required, Masters’ Degree preferred

Benefits of Employment at Herron Classical Schools

Competitive market wages. Full-time employees are offered benefits through Herron Classical Schools that include; medical insurance through ICHRA marketplace, dental, vision & life insurance through United HealthCare; 403b retirement contributions through T. Rowe Price, and employer match up to 5%, optional employee health savings account contributions, short-term & long-term disability, and generous paid vacation & sick days.

Herron Classical Schools Overview

Herron Classical Schools operates two high schools – Herron High School and Riverside High School – and Herron Preparatory Academy, eventually serving grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Herron Classical Schools is incredibly proud of our network and our scholars. And, based on the data shared in the US News and World Report National Public-School Rankings for 2024, the rankings we received are a testament to our work paying off. In these rankings, of which 17,655 schools throughout the nation were ranked, based on our performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well we prepare students for college, we earned the following rankings:

Herron High School and Herron-Riverside ranked #1 and #2 Charter High Schools in Indianapolis.

Herron High School continues to be highly ranked since our first graduating class in 2010 and is currently ranked #316 in the nation.

Herron High School ranked #2 in the state for College Readiness.

Herron High School placed in the top 2% of public schools nationwide in the following:

#2 in Indianapolis/Metro Area High Schools 

#5 in Indiana High Schools

#73 in Charter High Schools

Herron-Riverside was ranked in the top 35% of public schools.

A-rated by IDOE 

#2 Charter in Indy

Compensation Negotiable depending on experience.   

Diversity & Inclusion – Embracing a Culture of Respect

Diversity and inclusion are integral to Herron Classical Schools’ mission and are embedded in its Core Values. By building a culture of respect and trust through relationships with people and ideas, HCS believes that a highly intentional diversity enriches our community. HCS is committed to creating an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are embraced, respected, and valued.

Equity Statement

Herron Classical Schools, through action and in partnership with families and community, will uphold the values, policies, and practices that promote cultural competence. We are committed to eliminating biased institutional structures, hiring practices, and practices that affect student learning and achievement. We will embrace and empower students and staff in their individual identities to establish and sustain human dignity, justice, equitable treatment, and inclusiveness in the classroom and workplace. Non-discrimination Statement

Herron Classical Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or any characteristic that is legally protected under applicable local, state, or federal law in the administration of its educational policies, behavior policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, food service, hiring practices, and athletic or other school-administered programs. Herron Classical Schools abides by the Indiana Civil Rights Laws (I.C. 22-9-1), Title VI and VII (Civil Rights Act of 1964), the Equal Pay Act of 1973, Title IX (Educational Amendments), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USCS § 12101,et.seq.). Complaints regarding acts of sexual discrimination or harassment in violation of Title IX requirements should be filed with Herron Classical Schools Title IX Coordinator by filling out a Report of Harassment form available from Student Services or any school administrator. Inquiries regarding compliance by Herron Classical Schools with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Herron Classical Schools, 110 E. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 111 North Canal Street, Suite 1053, Chicago, IL 60606-7204.