Assistant Dean of Students

Do you think there is more to education than the same old same old? Do you want to be part of a team that transforms students' lives inside and outside the classroom? If you answered YES to these questions, you might be one of the few creative and dynamic professionals for whom we are looking.

As a place where everybody knows your name and where each person is genuinely accepted for who they are, Franklin Academy seeks an energetic and innovative Assistant Dean of Students. We are a friendly and welcoming community. We celebrate differences and work hard to enhance student performance, influence behavior, and build self-esteem. Our curriculum is competency-focused, incorporating hands-on, real-life applications and problem-solving.

As a boarding school with a different type of college-preparatory program that serves neurodiverse students with unique learning styles, we support thinking outside the box. We believe in making space to follow our passions and being patient with the process, even when it is messy or complex. We are building practical, real-world skills and seeing the potential in each person. We believe meeting students where they are is essential instead of making them fit into a preconceived paradigm. The bottom line is that we want our staff to have fun, enjoy their collaboration with peers, and, most importantly, be proud of helping our students succeed inside the classroom and in life!

The Assistant Dean of Students’ position at Franklin Academy requires a combination of administrative, managerial, and direct service skills. The Assistant Dean is one of three leadership positions on a team of 18-24 students and seven staff. This individual works collaboratively with the team's counselor and learning specialist to supervise faculty, and develop and balance the program in four areas of basic competency: Self-care, social skills, emotional intelligence, and executive functioning. This position requires a high level of organizational skill; an ability to understand program development from the big picture through the details; the ability to provide oversight, direction, and instruction to teachers; skill in experiential and classroom teaching; strong written and verbal communication skills; and the ability to anticipate, head off and solve complications, conflict, and crises.  

The successful candidate is expected to learn Franklin Academy's competency-based strategy for teaching students. The goal is to develop and implement specialized teaching and intervention strategies that will help our students become capable learners by focusing on improving their academic skills while also addressing each student's social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Assistant Dean of Students' maintain weekly contact with parents. This position requires full participation in the program and specific Assistant Dean of Students’ roles that include:

• Working closely with the other Assistant Deans and the Dean of Students to create a healthy community throughout the school and within the dormitory
• Working collaboratively with the Counselor and Learning Specialist to promote students' acquisition of core competencies by designing and supervising the implementation of a Residential Curriculum
• Supporting and supervising staff and creating and maintaining a strong, capable team
• Serving as the lead staff one night per week, and supervising weekends on a rotating schedule
• Fulfilling staff obligations such as teaching assigned courses, running extracurricular activities, serving on Franklin committees, and participating in the school's professional development

Contract year:  July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 

Compensation & Benefits: 

• Salary established according to Leadership level and based education and experience
• School-provided housing
• Access to participation in medical, dental, and life insurance plans
• Participation in matched retirement fund (TIAA-CREF)
• Use of school facilities, including dining services when available

Applicant Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree is required.  Degrees in counseling, guidance, psychology, or educational leadership are much preferred.  Experience with a variety of school settings, parent communication, and supervision is also helpful