Head of School – South Bay Classical Academy
South Bay Classical Academy (SBCA) is a private, secular, classical school located in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, CA. It is expected to open in the Fall of 2026 serving students in grades K-5 then adding a grade each year to become a full K-8. SBCA exists to cultivate virtuous, well-rounded students in the timeless Western tradition that emphasizes academic rigor and personal excellence. SBCA focuses on providing students with an intellectual and moral education – thinking deeply, loving noble things, and living well together in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness and Beauty.
Academic Vision: SBCA exists to instill in students moral and intellectual virtue, preparing them to be lifelong learners, good citizens, and to enkindle passion for a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Job Description
Unique Benefits of Working at South Bay Classical Academy:
- Culture: We believe that student culture is primarily a reflection of the culture of the adults on campus. SBCA provides small class sizes, transparency in leadership, polite and professional staff, strong relationships and academic excellence. Highly motivated teachers will serve as joyful and loving guides in cultivating the hearts and minds of the students.
- Curriculum: SBCA offers a rigorous, intellectually challenging classical curriculum, guided by the trivium model advanced by Dorothy Sayers. The curriculum emphasizes the mastery of core academic subjects: reading, writing, mathematics, history, science, and the arts, with a strong focus on the study of classical works, ideas, and history of Western civilization. The curriculum is designed to cultivate intellectual virtues like curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning, while also preparing students for success in further education through a structured, teacher-directed learning approach.
- Community: We foster an academic environment that promotes high standards, strong support, and provides resources for deep learning. Establishing a relationship of trust and goodwill with the parents will cultivate great satisfaction in and commitment to the success of the school culture.
- Benefits: We offer a benefits package, which includes health insurance and a 401K retirement plan.
Head of School Position Overview
The SBCA Head of School will serve as the Executive Director of the school and perform the responsibilities of that role. He or she will be entrusted to help form and maintain our school in regards to culture, leadership, academics, and the personal well-being of our staff and students. The school leader will be the public face of the school and will be responsible for the overall reputation of the school, its constituency, and community outreach. He or she will be required to ethically handle all fiduciary duties. We believe the school leader is the most impactful figure in a school and its surrounding community – the guardian of learning through truth, wisdom, and virtue.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
- A deep understanding of and commitment to the distinctly classical educational mission of SBCA.
- A person of high moral character whose leadership will generate trust and hold the confidence of others.
- Well-organized, able to delegate with clear direction and ready to assume responsibility for everything that happens under his or her charge.
- A demonstrated comprehension of the classical liberal arts and their roots in the Western tradition.
- Ability to maintain a high degree of energy and personal productivity to effectively manage the yield of others.
- A proven proficiency in personnel management principles including recruiting, hiring, supervising, and evaluating, as well as individual and organizational development.
- Proven administrative acumen, including the creation of operational systems, effective decision-making, and financial management skills such as budgeting and resource allocation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for engaging all members of the community in the full range of contexts from public address to private crucial conversations.
- Ability to lead during crises or emergencies with composure and effective decision-making.
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Strongly Preferred:
- 3 years of experience teaching classical education
- 5 years of leadership experience, including school management and administration, within classical schools
- Advanced degree in relevant area of study
Responsibilities:
- Embodies and represents the mission of SBCA to all constituents;
- Works in partnership with the Board of Directors to refine and manifest the school’s mission and strategic future;
- Communicates effectively and partners with parents in achieving the mission of the school;
- Manages all school operations, including academic, financial, personnel, regulatory and facility areas;
- Attracts, selects, hires, develops, evaluates, and retains properly qualified faculty and staff;
- Observes and effectively coaches teachers at defined intervals, documents results, and provides feedback as a mentor and supervisor;
- Provides regular reports to school board on the status of the school and plans for upcoming activities;
- Represents the school as the senior executive leader in interactions with the public, the school constituencies, and other key stakeholders;
- Models joy in their work and exhibits an enthusiastic appetite for learning.
- Cultivates impactful relationships with students.
- Ensures a consistent, clear, firm, and restorative discipline system is upheld.
- Evaluates and continually enhances the quality and content of the school’s academic program within a classical curriculum.
How to Apply: Please submit a letter of interest and a resume to Grace Liffrig: gliffrig@arcadiaed.com.
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