ACADEMY PRINCIPAL

PUNAHOU SCHOOL

Honolulu, Hawai‘i

Punahou School seeks an innovative, experienced leader to serve as its next Academy Principal (Principal). The Academy Principal, synonymous to a Head of Upper School, will join one of the world’s leading independent schools at a pivotal moment, as the School engages in ambitious planning for its future. With a strong collaborative bent, the Principal will build upon the Academy’s excellent foundation and history of success to drive discussion and advance teaching and learning at Punahou.

Situated on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu, Punahou is the largest independent K-12 school in the United States on a single campus, with 3,780 students and nearly 30,000 alumni worldwide.  Punahou is a leader in experiential, hands-on learning, with an emphasis on producing socially responsible, global citizens committed to lifelong growth. At its core, Punahou’s educational philosophy emphasizes the unique path of each child and the many ways one can live a meaningful life. The School has enjoyed strong and stable leadership, enabling it to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape with strong enrollment and a robust financial outlook.

The Academy (9-12) is one of two academic divisions at Punahou and is closely intertwined with the Junior School (K-8). The scale and complexity of the Academy are substantial: the division enrolls 1,780 students and has just over 170 faculty members. The Principal oversees a large team of assistant principals, deans, chairs, and directors and is a member of the senior leadership team that reports to the President. The Academy offers a rich array of curricular and co-curricular programs and, in recent years, has pursued innovations in alignment with the School’s commitment to interdisciplinary study and social-emotional learning.

Looking ahead, the division’s next leader will bring a proven record of administrative leadership, including experience with faculty development, curricular and strategic planning, community building with colleagues and families, and a passion for delivering unparalleled educational opportunities to students. Punahou seeks a seasoned, inspiring voice for the division, an educator who – in collaboration with the President and other members of the leadership team – will continue the work of stewarding and strengthening the Academy.

The Principal will, in particular, serve as the central figure for the Academy in the School’s ongoing, iterative strategic planning process; lead divisional efforts to solidify and define the Academy’s curriculum and academic vision; partner with the Junior School to establish a more seamless K-12 continuum; advance the division’s commitment to excellent teaching and professional development; sustain and develop a diverse community; and serve as an integral member of the President’s senior leadership team. Significant experience in K-12 education is essential, as is a resonance with the mission of Punahou School.  

Punahou has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of the next Academy Principal. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to the search firm, as indicated at the end of this document.

Punahou School, in accordance with state and federal laws, does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or other grounds protected under state or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.