Dean of Academics

Job Title:                   Dean of Academics

Reports To:                Head of School

FLSA Status:              Exempt; 12-month

ABOUT MERCY HIGH SCHOOL SAN FRANCISCO

Mercy High School educates women to pursue lives of spiritual and intellectual depth, determination, and daring action to improve our world as an inclusive, Catholic, college preparatory community enlivened by the Gospel of Jesus and the charism of the Sisters of Mercy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Dean of Academics, under the guidance and supervision of the Head of School, is primarily responsible to ensure that all academic activities are fully aligned with Mercy’s mission statement. The Dean of Academics reports to the Head of School and is a team member of the Administrative Cabinet.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Dean of Academics:

Administration

1. Functions as a collaborative team member with other members of the Administrative Cabinet;
2. Meets regularly with the Head of School to update and discuss academic issues;
3. Maintains open and collaborative dialogue regarding academic issues with Mercy’s faculty, families and students;
4. Contributes to planning and implementation of faculty-staff meetings;
5. Collaborates with the Dean of Student Life and School Culture in annually reviewing and revising the Student Handbook;
6. Assists in planning and implementing the school calendar, including assemblies, liturgies, parent orientation and other special events;
7. Shares in the supervision of student extracurricular activities (e.g., dances, concerts, plays, rallies);

Students

1. Assists in interviewing, testing and evaluating of applicants in the school admissions process;
2. Oversees the academic advising and college counseling program to ensure appropriate academic guidance of all students;
3. Oversees the scheduling of students, teachers and courses
4. Oversees student grading and assessment and maintains open communications with students, teachers and parents, especially when there is a need for prescriptive measures to ensure student success;
5. Monitors student academic progress and, in collaboration with counselors and teachers, supports the development of student support programs directed at helping each student fulfill her academic potential by celebrating her successes and responding to her challenges;
6. Collaborates in regular meetings with the Dean of Student Life and School Culture and appropriate faculty (e.g., grade level faculty) to support those students having difficulty;
7. Ensures that complete, accurate and up-to-date academic records are maintained.

Faculty

1. Makes recommendations to the Head of School regarding the hiring, assignment and retention of faculty;
2. Plans and carries out programs for the orientation and mentoring of new teachers;
3. Plans, implements and evaluates professional development of all faculty, assuring that all teachers grow in their use of best educational practices and are familiar with school policies and expectations;
4. Serves as a support and resource to teachers in matters such as classroom management and curriculum implementation;
5. Observes, supervises and evaluates faculty in their implementation of the school’s academic program;
6. Leads the Academic Council and department heads in a collaborative manner.

Programs and Support

1. Ensures compliance with legal requirements of the California Education Code and all school and Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA) policies;
2. Leads the school community in the WCEA accreditation process through all phases and ensures that Mercy’s program and courses have appropriate approval from University of California, College Board, and other accrediting and oversight organizations;
3. Leads faculty in reviewing and evaluating academic programs;
4. Oversees all final examinations and standardized testing (HSPT, AP, PSAT, etc.);
5. Collaborates to plan and direct summer school programs;
6. Oversees biennial Intersession program.
7. Is responsible for the supervision, coordination and evaluation of the Director of Institutional Research, Registrar, Resource Coordinator, Academic and College Counselors, the Director of Educational Technology, and Coordinators of Special Programs; s/he collaborates in the supervision, coordination and evaluation of the Executive Assistant to the Deans of Academics and of Student Life and Culture.

Performs other duties as assigned by the Head of School.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Dedication to the mission of Mercy High School;
• Leadership skills, including flexibility, sensitivity and diplomacy necessary to work collaboratively with multiple constituencies;
• Capacity to deal with multiple tasks as well as to set priorities;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as attention to detail;
• Capacity to motivate students to achieve to their potential;
• Familiarity with best practices in curriculum and pedagogy and experience in selecting, implementing and evaluating innovative and effective academic programs.
• Bachelor’s degree required; administrative or teaching credential, or Master’s or higher degree in curriculum or school leadership preferred;
• Five or more years of classroom experience; Catholic, girls’ or urban school-based experience preferred;
• Experience in academic administration including supervisory experience of classroom teachers preferred.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for a position, or ask for additional information, email a copy of your resume, a cover letter, and 3 references to jobs@mercyhs.org.  Your cover letter should explain why you are interested in a particular position and what unique qualities you would bring to the role.  Strict confidentiality will be maintained for all applicants and only finalists’ references will be contacted.  

Mercy High School San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer.