Westlake Academy is looking to fill the role of Head of School, a position that is hired by and reports directly to the six-member Board of Trustees, chaired by the Board President. Members of the Board of Trustees also serve as the Town Council for municipal operations, chaired by the Mayor.
This is a confidential search, only the lone finalist will be revealed.
Founded in 2003, Westlake Academy is a K-12 International Baccalaureate World School located in Westlake, Texas. It is the only municipally owned and operated open-enrollment charter school in the State of Texas. Primarily funded by the Texas Education Agency, there is no tuition associated with attending Westlake Academy. The Academy is also one of very few schools in the United States offering the internationally-recognized college preparatory continuum of all three International Baccalaureate programmes – Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme – within a single campus.
The Head of School will directly supervise, mentor, and develop the team of principals, assistant principals and coordinators who are responsible for each Programme area of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. They will also indirectly supervise the teaching staff in each programme as well as the co-curricular staff who direct the art, music, athletics, library programs, among others.
This individual is further responsible for:
- Overseeing the Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan processes to shepherd the growth of the school;
- Directing and maintaining procedures to ensure the school is in consistent compliance with all Texas Education Agency (TEA) regulations and State educational mandates;
- Directing and maintaining procedures to ensure the school is in consistent compliance with all International Baccalaureate standards and meeting or exceeding Evaluation requirements;
- Developing and managing the annual school budget in conjunction with the Board of Trustees/Town Council;
- Stewarding the financial resources of the school for the future; and,
- Ensuring adequate and resourceful staffing of all offered programmes, courses of study and co-curricular activities.
This position requires extensive school leadership as a Division Head, Head of School, Principal or Superintendent at a charter, traditional public school, independent school, IB World School, or international equivalent. The successful candidate must also have a solid commitment to the IB curriculum, citizenship development, the concept of lifelong learning, and a global educational mindset. They will be able to understand and work within the reporting structure of the Town Council/School Board form of government, as well as the Town of Westlake’s shared- services model. The successful candidate will be proficient in educational laws, codes and state mandates, and will be able to steer Westlake Academy competently through both the IB and TEA evaluation processes. It is preferred that the candidate hold an advanced degree in Education or a related field. Salary is expected to be between $200,000-230,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and track record of career successes.
Westlake Academy has retained Diversified Search Group (DSG) to assist in candidate recruitment, screening and selection. Screening of candidates will begin in November 2023 and continue until an appointment is made. Applications must consist of a CV; a cover letter addressing interest, leadership philosophy, and documented successes in educational leadership; and five professional references.
Applications should be submitted using DSG's candidate portal.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, The Town of Westlake and Westlake Academy are committed to assuring equal opportunity to all persons and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, age, or disability in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment practices as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, other applicable statutes and Board policy.