Head of School

New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) invites nominations and applications for the position of Head of School. NEIA seeks a leader who embraces its mission to prepare the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and shape a better world through passion, purpose, and innovation.

Succeeding the Founding Head of School, the next Head of School will be a highly visible culture builder with a strong sense of the complexities around the changing landscape of independent and boarding school education. A record of superior leadership and financial stewardship, a passion for engaging with students and families, expertise in spearheading innovative initiatives, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to cultivate exceptional teams are all highly desirable attributes for NEIA’s next leader. The Head of School will work collaboratively and actively with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and faculty and staff to promote the vision of a fully integrated day and boarding school student experience for students in grades 7-12. NEIA uniquely combines rigorous academics featuring extensive curriculum integration with an emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking and innovation through human-centered design. At the same time, NEIA fosters a culture of belonging, togetherness, and inclusivity in which all members of the community feel valued. The Head of School will champion initiatives that support diversity and inclusion among students and families, faculty, and staff.

Founded in 2020 and located in the heart of Massachusetts on a modern, beautifully developed new campus with room to grow in Marlborough, MA, NEIA aspires to increase its enrollment from 116 students to 300+ as it continues to develop its day and boarding programs and attract exceptionally passionate new domestic and international students. NEIA received NEASC accreditation in its third year of operation and is SEVIS qualified to issue I-20 paperwork to international students. The Head of School will serve as an ardent supporter and enthusiastic advocate for NEIA and the experience it offers students, bolstering recruitment efforts, supporting college admissions, and developing novel philanthropic approaches to support the school’s growth trajectory. This role presents a rare opportunity for an experienced education professional with an entrepreneurial spirit who is dedicated to fiscal sustainability and is interested in joining an institution that fosters innovation and thoughtful risk-taking to create an ever-evolving model for transformation in education.

NEW ENGLAND INNOVATION ACADEMY SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Four years ago, a group of education innovators created NEIA to supersede the frustrations of traditional education models by focusing on the needs of today’s students. With a mission of preparing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and shape a better world, NEIA has cultivated an entirely new educational approach for self-motivated and curious learners.

NEIA students and alumni are founding and selling companies, bringing their inventions to fruition in The Hive, the school’s makerspace; producing podcasts and new media in Storyforge, the School’s recording studio and greenroom; organizing conferences attended by students statewide; and, achieving consecutive wins at prestigious national science, robotics, and technology competitions, such as Biotrek (won two years in a row) and First Robotics Competition, where NEIA students, having won a sizeable grant from NASA, went all the way to the World Championships as a rookie team. NEIA’s first graduating class, the Class of 2024, embodies the incredible impact of this new educational model: All 15 graduates will continue to pursue their educational and personal passions at a college or university in the Fall of 2024. NEIA graduates will be found at colleges such as Mount Holyoke, Babson, University of Michigan, NYU and Claremont McKenna. Collectively, the founding alumni class received over $3M in scholarships from the institutions to which they were accepted.

SIGNATURE APPROACH, SUCCESS, AND OUTCOMES

Integrated & Experiential Curriculum | Traditional curricular programs not only separate subjects but also disciplines within a subject into its own dedicated course offering. For example, History and English are taught completely independently of one another, while science is divided into Chemistry, Physics and Biology, all taught sequentially. NEIA has found a more effective approach that integrates across disciplines and eliminates the siloing of subjects. NEIA’s Humanities curriculum brings together History, English, and Geography. Rather than separating each math subject into its own year (Geometry, Algebra, and Precalculus), NEIA’s integrated math sequence takes a holistic approach to mathematical reasoning, interweaving all those important subjects together. A principle that underlies the curriculum is that NEIA is and should always remain a college-preparatory school with the academic rigor commensurate with that.

And NEIA doesn’t stop there. NEIA takes that idea to the next level: integration across all subjects. In the real world, rarely are students just using math, science, or art in isolation. NEIA’s founding philosophy, where subjects are integrated rather than isolated, improves retention and deepens learning. In practice, these collaborations between curriculums can take form in a variety of exciting ways. A student’s language project may begin in Spanish and find its way to the Visual Arts department to make a magazine, pairing design with the written word. In Innovation Studio, students apply science and design skills to develop solutions to real-world problems. Humanities crosses over with math, and wellbeing works its way into everything that NEIA does. All areas intentionally integrate at various entry points, increasing both the relevance and authenticity of learning.

Human-Centered Design | Human-centered design—emphasizing empathy, interdisciplinary teamwork, and a structured innovation process—is a cornerstone of the NEIA approach. It ensures that NEIA students will be equipped to step into a complex, rapidly changing, globally connected world where the pressing issues of tomorrow will not be solved with the conventional thinking of today.

As a school the world needs next, NEIA escapes the stubborn inertia of old educational models. NEIA incorporates human-centered design into the curriculum and all aspects of school life so the approach becomes part of a student’s reflexive response to solving problems.

Passion & Purpose | NEIA believes that encouraging learners to follow their passions is the key to unlocking active student engagement. The curriculum and structure are built to be applicable, relevant, and future-focused, and students have the time and resources to build upon, nurture, discover, and pursue passions. Here are some of the ways NEIA goes about doing just that:

• Passion Dives: The Passion Dive (a form of independent study) provides 11th and 12th-grade students with the option to develop their own learning plan centered on a topic of personal interest related to one of NEIA’s subject areas. Through research, experiences, and creative modalities, innovators deepen their knowledge and understanding of their chosen topic while at the same time building critical thinking skills and personal responsibility. Whereas the coursework and products created throughout the Passion Dive are largely guided by the topic of interest, innovators must explore their passion through the lenses of the NEIA Pillars. Outlined coursework is approved and supported by a staff member with regular benchmarks and workshop meetings to refine and analyze processes and provide feedback. This is an opportunity for innovators to have extensive voice and choice related to their learning.
• Flexible Scheduling: NEIA’s design, unlike more traditional schools, is flexible for a student. NEIA’s 7-day cycle, rather than a set daily schedule, supports this flexibility since it allows students to pursue opportunities like internships.
• Learning Extensions Policy: Teachers strive to assign an “average” of 30 minutes per class of Learning Extensions or learning outside the classroom. The in- and out-of-class schedule is designed with intention and leaves students time to pursue their interests and develop their passions. By giving students time and space to explore, NEIA creates a community of empowered, energized students.

Belonging | As a new school founded at the end of a pandemic, NEIA places great importance on belonging and togetherness, and has developed a unique culture where each member of the school community feels valued. NEIA Innovators are empowered by the IDEAS program: Inclusion in a Diverse community, which strives for Equity by putting into Action relevant Social Justice programs. Grounded by this platform, the NEIA community intentionally comes together to do the work. NEIA adults and students have visible and invisible diversity. Each innovator has an individual experience before coming to NEIA.

Competency-Based Education | NEIA is a competency-based education system with 16 “pillars” (competencies) that stretch across all subjects. Each curriculum has 3 subject-specific competencies. Students are assessed on competencies through a system of four measures that inform the status of the skills on a particular task or at points during the learning process: Surface, Immersed, Deep, and Unknown.

CAMPUS

Located at the forested end of a quiet street, NEIA’s newly renovated campus invites students to pursue and explore their passions in an incredibly warm and open environment. Designing a school for future innovators requires a fresh approach, and through human-centered design, NEIA built a physical campus where learning thrives. Classrooms, labs, and meeting spaces boast floor-to-ceiling windows, and the auditoriums are flexible spaces that allow students, faculty, and staff to shift and change the space to meet their needs and embolden creativity. The campus also boasts a top-of-the-line filtration system to help ensure community members’ wellness.

The Hive is a state-of-the-art makerspace that rivals similar spaces on college campuses nearby. The Hive comprises three areas: The Woodshop, The CNC Space, and The Free Space all are fully staffed, feature a full complement of professional making equipment, and are open to students and faculty from all disciplines. NEIA students are conceptualizing, testing, building, and bringing their ideas to life in the Hive at all hours of the school day for both class projects and passion projects, always in partnership with faculty.

In 2023, an additional building renovation was completed to add classroom space, study areas, a computer lab for eSports, a workout gym, and Storyforge, a digital storytelling space that houses a recording studio and green screen room. Student feedback informed the design process and will continue to do so as further physical plant improvements continue alongside NEIA’s enrollment growth.

In September 2024, NEIA expects to break ground on a new, $15 million, state-of-the-art 25,000+ square foot Athletic Center, featuring a gym with two basketball/volleyball courts, an indoor running track, a dance/yoga room, a fitness center, a training room, boys/girls locker rooms and administrative offices. The plan also includes a 350 x 225 square foot outdoor playing field. The Athletic Center will expand NEIA’s appeal to prospective students in addition to enriching the quality of residential life.

LOCATION

Located at the crossroads of New England, Marlborough, MA boasts a central location in one of the fastest-growing communities in the region and has become a hub for biotech and other high-tech companies in New England. With access to Boston, Worcester, and Providence, RI in less than an hour, as well as five local airports, Marlborough is easily accessible and provides ample opportunities for students to explore all that New England has to offer. Marlborough itself boasts a wide variety of amenities, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, sports, and recreational facilities, green spaces, bike trails, beaches, ponds, and creeks.

For those seeking an active lifestyle, Marlborough has a number of premier indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and leagues for all ages. The 5.6-mile Assabet River Rail Trail also provides a wonderful nature escape for runners, cyclists, and walkers. Marlborough is also home to Apex Entertainment, the area’s largest indoor entertainment facility.

THE ROLE OF THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Head of School serves as the chief executive officer overseeing all aspects of NEIA’s programs and operational functions. The Head of School currently leads an administrative leadership team of 10:

• Assistant Head of School
• Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
• Director of Branding
• Director of College Counseling
• Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning
• Director of Innovation
• Director of Human Resources
• Head of Collaboration and Strategic Partnership
• Head of Operations
• Head of Student Life
• Head of Teaching and Learning

The Board is open to suggestions for organizational restructuring made by the Head of School.

OPPORTUNITIES & AMBITIONS

The next Head of School will embrace the following opportunities and ambitions:

• Refine, advance, articulate, and bring to life a powerful strategic vision. As a new institution, NEIA has balanced its guiding vision of innovation and human-centered design with necessary flexibility and responsiveness to market pressures and student and family feedback. The next Head of School will utilize outcomes data, community feedback, and a deep understanding of the national and international independent school landscape to shape a powerful strategic plan and visionary campus plan for NEIA’s future. Through the articulation of specific enrollment, financial, curricular, and outcomes goals, the next Head will galvanize the incredibly passionate and committed trustees, faculty, and staff of NEIA toward the School’s next iteration and sustainable success.
• Build the reputation, visibility, and demand for NEIA’s unique educational program in a crowded national and international market. The Head of School will work closely with enrollment leadership to identify, recruit, and retain talented students to increase enrollment. The new campus has capacity both for day and boarding students and the next Head will continue to focus on attracting new students and families to the community. They will be a visible, enthusiastic, and confident champion for NEIA both domestically and internationally and offer a genuine perspective on educating adolescents in an ever-changing world.
• Develop a philanthropy program to support investment in strategic priorities and initiatives. While the Founding Trustees will continue to provide generous support to the school for the immediate future, the next Head of School will lead the charge in developing a philanthropy program for the long-term sustainability of the institution. The Head will be energized to build relationships with a global community and communicate the case for support in ways that are persuasive and inspiring.
• Actively foster a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive school environment. The Head of School will embrace and accelerate NEIA’s efforts to build a culture where individuals can bring their best selves forward and know that their perspectives and lived experiences are valued. Simultaneously, the Head will be tireless in guiding the community toward an environment of mutual respect, cultural competence, and unwavering standards.
• Embrace NEIA’s central location in the heart of Massachusetts and cultivate meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships to enrich the learning experience. The Head of School will continue efforts to identify and nurture regional partnerships (including institutions, individuals, and experiences) to enhance the student and teacher experience while raising the visibility of the school in its home region, as well as using the resources that nearby Boston and Worcester have to offer.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

A successful candidate should possess many of the following qualities and characteristics:

• Commitment to embracing and advancing NEIA’s core values, vision, mission, and strategic goals.
• Ability to work with a broad array of constituencies, both in terms of identities and roles – students, parents, faculty, staff, board members, alumni, prospective donors, and community members – to drive support for NEIA’s priorities.
• Powerful and inspirational communication skills and a collaborative, yet decisive, leadership style.
• A high level of cultural competence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students, faculty, and other community members.
• Proven track record in building and developing teams that work effectively together.
• A spirit of innovation to develop and deepen programmatic offerings that align with NEIA’s core principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting faculty in the areas of compensation, professional development, and overall well-being.
• Proactive, hands-on leadership, strong problem-solving skills, and initiative.
• High emotional intelligence and genuine interest in working with middle and high-school-aged students.
• Demonstrated success in organizational leadership and fiscal and risk management, especially in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Entrepreneurialism in building and sustaining philanthropic relationships to support both short-term priorities and long-range strategic goals.
• A successful track record with enrollment management, including recruitment and retention.
• Previous experience working in independent school or nonprofit leadership with a track record of innovation and increasing responsibilities.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Massachusetts. The salary range for this role is highly competitive and commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS

New England Innovation Academy has retained Storbeck Search to assist in candidate recruitment, screening and selection Evaluation of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the Head of School is named.

Please send all nominations and inquiries to [email protected]. Interested candidates should submit a résumé and a cover letter electronically through the talent profile. All application materials will be considered in full confidence.

New England Innovation Academy is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate nor condone discrimination against any member of the school community on any basis, including race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, ancestry, status as a veteran, age (40 years and older), military status, or handicap.