Director of Upper School

Director of Upper School

William Penn Charter School invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of Upper School to begin July 1, 2022. Penn Charter is a Quaker, coeducational, 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.

Reporting to the Head of School, Dr. Darryl J. Ford, the Director of Upper School is responsible for implementing the mission of the school within the Upper School Division, grades 9-12. Overseeing the day-to-day operations of Penn Charter Upper School, the Director serves as the educational leader for approximately 460 students and 80 faculty within an Upper School curriculum that is vigorous, rich, and college preparatory. The next Director will work in partnership with other members of the Upper School leadership team as well as a cohort of talented and dedicated educators to oversee the continued implementation of the school’s strategic vision focusing on excellence, innovation, and collaboration within the educational program. Moreover, they will both model and foster positive relationships between all constituent groups and nurture a culture of continuous growth and learning.

Desired qualifications and characteristics for the next Director of Upper School include a comprehensive understanding of the field of education and a demonstrated willingness to explore and embrace new pedagogical practices, technologies, and developing trends. This position requires a leader with a deep sense of emotional intelligence; confident and competent, with strong skills in management and leadership; one who understands the subtleties of motivating and directing a diverse group of individuals. Additionally, this role demands a high level of cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students, faculty, and other community members.

The search committee for Penn Charter’s next Director of Upper School will begin accepting nominations and reviewing applications immediately. Requested application materials include a letter of interest, current resume, statement of educational philosophy or leadership, and a list of three to five professional references, including contact information. References will not be called without explicit permission from the applicant. Although applications will be welcomed until a new Director of Upper School is selected, for best consideration all candidates should submit materials by January 21 to the following address: PennCharterUSDirector@storbecksearch.com

William Penn Charter School is being assisted in this search by Storbeck Search. For additional information, please contact:

Sherry Coleman, Managing Director

Nishant Mehta, Managing Director

Christopher Bernard, Search Associate

Storbeck Search

PennCharterUSDirector@storbecksearch.com

For more information about William Penn Charter School, please visit https://www.penncharter.com/.

Prior to hiring, we ask all potential employees to be vaccinated and protected from the life-threatening impact of COVID-19. At Penn Charter we have supported our community's efforts to eradicate the spread of COVID-19 by facilitating access to COVID-19 vaccinations for all current employees and eligible students.

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.