Dean Of Students Jobs

SOPHIA ACADEMY

Dean of Students

2023-24

Mission

Sophia Academy engages girls from low-income families on a joyful quest for self-discovery and opportunity through a middle school education grounded in social justice.

Vision

An equitable world where girls and women are seeking fulfillment, realizing their dreams, 

and inspiring others. 

Founded in 2001 by visionary social justice advocate Sister Mary Reilly RSM, Sophia Academy serves 60 girls in grades 5-8 in Providence, RI. The school seeks a Dean of Students to play a key role in maintaining Sophia Academy’s established excellence and helping to move the institution to the next level of growth.

Since its founding, Sophia has grown into a respected institution in Rhode Island’s K-12 education community. The faculty nurtures, challenges, and empowers young girls; Sophia prepares them to excel academically and to become engaged citizens poised to make a difference in their communities. Ninety-five percent of Sophia graduates complete high school in four years and most continue on to postsecondary education. The school is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE). Sophia’s strong social justice ethos has attracted the attention of such inspiring women as #MeToo cofounder Tarana Burke and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafsai, and its dedicated and talented faculty are recognized state-wide for their excellence.

The school is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) and is nonsectarian.

Position Overview

The Dean of Students reports to the Head of School, is a member of the Middle School Leadership Team and the Administrative Team, and works closely with students, their families and the faculty and staff. The Dean, in collaboration with the Director of Student Support and Director of the Middle School, cultivates a school environment that promotes personal growth, empathy, and community building while addressing issues–behavioral or otherwise–which arise that may be disruptive to the smooth daily operation of the school.

Major Responsibilities

• Coordinate the PE and athletics program at Sophia; potentially coach a team
• Utilize restorative justice practices and promote positive behavior in line with Sophia Academy culture
• Supervise students on-campus before and after school; monitor students during lunch, recess, passing periods, and other activities
• Coordinate monthly parent meetings pertaining to awareness/health: self esteem, parenting, time management, disease prevention, sexuality and teens, etc.
• Other duties as assigned
• Further develop, organize, and monitor the student attendance system including tracking absenteeism and tardiness on a daily basis and communicating with families and scheduling meetings as necessary with regard to absent or tardy students; provide leadership for attendance improvement efforts.
• Develop and administer a system of conduct that supports positive student decision making in accordance with Sophia’s school policies, core values, and guiding principles.
• Develop plans for emergency situations in collaboration with faculty and staff as well as public safety officers and agencies
• Create and supervise a Student Life program at Sophia, collaborating with faculty and other colleagues to offer enrichment opportunities during the school day; create and advise the student government/student council
• Provide coverage for teacher absences and supervision for field trips
• In collaboration with the Middle School Leadership Team, revise student and family policies and update the Student and Family Handbook annually
• Build relationships with families
• Coordinate monthly assemblies
• Track, monitor and record all data related to student behavior in order to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment in line with best practices
• Serve as the front line to all student conduct and behavioral issues; manage and track day-to-day incidents and communicate directly with faculty, administration, and families
• Develop and co-teach Sister Mary Reilly Justice and Gender Seminar as a weekly capstone course to all 8th grade students; cultivate and further develop relationship with Generation Citizen in support of this course

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead in a team setting. 
• Must be able to treat confidential information with discretion.
• Sets goals, institutes timelines, meets deadlines. 
• Demonstrated commitment to middle school education, urban education, and girls education
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; excellent written and verbal aptitude, exceptional ability to work effectively with a wide range of people in a diverse community
• Strong organizational and effective time-management skills
• Ability to build productive relationships with the local community.
• Discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred
• Personable, flexible, resourceful, and warm with a willingness to go above and beyond to get the job done; respectful of others; sense of humor.
• Experience with trauma-informed discipline and restorative justice practices
• Belief in and support for the mission, core values, and guiding principles of the school
• Enthusiasm for working in a close-knit, student-centered school environment
• A self-starter who works equally well on teams and independently
• Thinks strategically and creatively and formulates solid plans based on measurable objectives. 
• Highly organized planner and efficient project coordinator with relentless attention to detail and the ability to multitask without compromising quality.
• Initiative, warmth, enthusiasm, optimism, and energy. 
• Passion for, commitment to social justice, girls education, and equity
• Ability to relate to students with mutual respect while carrying out a positive and effective disciplinary program
• Ability to set objectives and achieve goals in a collaborative team setting while coordinating the efforts of multiple parties, both internal and external
• Capacity to create an environment where children from diverse backgrounds are comfortable and experience success.
• Clearances required.

Sophia Academy is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Sophia Academy is an EEO/AA employer.