Oak Hill ScHOOlNashville, Tennessee

Head of SchoolJuly 2018

www.oakhillschool.org

The Position“A Joyful Foundation” – This is the motto of the Oak Hill School, a nondenominational Christian day school serving students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6 in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its founding over 50 years ago, Oak Hill School has built an extraordinarily vibrant and engaged community where faculty and families work together to lay the groundwork—joyful indeed!—for each student to become a lifelong learner as well as an empathetic, service-minded citizen of integrity.

Enrolling 510 students across all grades, Oak Hill School is recognized for its forward-thinking academic curriculum, robust service-learning program, and deep commitment to character education. Teachers at Oak Hill School love what they do. The average tenure among faculty at OHS is 8 years, with an average of 15 years in teaching overall. In 2015-16, OHS teachers logged 3,100 hours in professional development. Sixty-five percent hold advanced degrees. These impressive educators work closely with dedicated administrators, an active Parent Association, and a supportive Board of Trustees to advance the School’s mission and fulfill the Christian mission.

The Oak Hill School is currently seeking a new Head of School to lead this promising institution forward, effective July 2018. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a deep connection to the Christian mission and educational purpose of OHS. S/he will demonstrate proven managerial experience and exceptional communication skills, with an aptitude for building relationships across this close-knit community.

The SchoolThe Oak Hill School was founded in 1961 as a community outreach endeavor of Nashville’s First Presbyterian Church and shares its campus to this day. For over 50 years, the School’s foundation in Christian faith has guided its leaders and underpinned the mission: to build character and integrity in a Christian environment for a lifetime of learning and service. From Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6, Oak Hill students benefit from an educational program that is both tradition-rich and progressive, seeking to balance academic accomplishment and preparation for the challenges of the 21st century with the development of personal integrity and a strong spiritual foundation. Students leave OHS with the drive to pursue lifelong learning as well as the empathy to serve others.

1The Search Group | CS&A carneysandoe.com

MISSION

To build character and integrity in a Christian environment

for a lifetime of learning and service.

FAST FACTS

Founded: 1961Location: Nashville, TNType: Coed Christian DayMascot: PantherGrades Served: PreK - 6Total Enrolled: 510Campus Size: 63 acresAdmissions Yield: +90%Faculty: 65Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1Faculty w/ Adv. Degree: 65%Endowment: $7,548,889Indebtedness: $

From 8am – 2:30pm five days per week, Pre-Kindergarteners begin their educational journey at OHS. The PreK integrated program embraces best practices in early childhood learning and development, laying the earliest stones in their “joyful foundation.” The Lower School at OHS (Kindergarten – Grade 3) adopts a balanced approach to learning, seeking to provide students with a mastery of fundamental skills and content as well as to develop critical and creative thinking. Students may pursue individualized learning opportunities in the form of community events and service learning throughout the year, while also gaining an understanding of the importance of strong character and integrity. The Upper School (Grades 4-6) serves as a bridge between elementary and middle school—striving to preserve childhood in a nurturing environment while allowing students to participate in leadership activities, develop increasing levels of independence, and pursue avenues toward greater self-awareness and discovery.

Consistently recognized as some of Nashville’s most academically well-prepared and well-rounded students of their age, Oak Hill School graduates gain acceptance at the area’s best secondary schools, including Battle Ground Academy, Brentwood Academy, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Ensworth School, Franklin Road Academy, Harpeth Hall, Lipscomb Academy, Montgomery Bell Academy, and University School of Nashville. Oak Hill School is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of community leaders, alumni, and parents of current and past OHS students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

ACADEMICSThe OHS educational program emphasizes academic vigor rather than rigor: encouraging students to play an active role in their own learning journey, to receive and give grace when bumps in the road arise, and to react to every challenge with resilience and integrity. An average teacher-to-student-ratio of 9:1 enables OHS educators to approach every student as an individual. Teachers deliver dynamic instruction through hands-on, developmentally appropriate activities that nurture children’s curiosities and challenge them to think critically and creatively. With 100% of teachers engaging in professional development pursuits each year and 65% holding advanced degrees, OHS prides itself on a faculty who are as passionate as they are knowledgeable.

2The Search Group |CS&A carneysandoe.com

3

In Pre-Kindergarten, Oak Hill School’s youngest learners learn largely through self-driven exploration and play. Children in the Pre-K classroom are exposed to a wide array of materials with which they can experiment, engage, and draw independent conclusions. They are also introduced to the foundations of academic study in language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies in a thematic and engaging curriculum that includes daily reading time, interactive math and science lessons, and daily movement and musical activities as well as outdoor play.

Academics in the Lower and Upper Schools comprise a comprehensive core curriculum in mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science. Classroom learning is enhanced by a diverse array of enrichment subjects, service learning opportunities, and character education. The mathematics program promotes students’ problem solving and critical thinking abilities in a fluid environment that meets the individualized needs of each student, fostering authentic learning by encouraging students to absorb and apply fundamental mathematical principles through real-world applications. Similarly, the science curriculum uses hands-on activities to instill deeper meaning while applying 21st century skills of problem solving, information literacy, and critical thinking to the work of scientific inquiry and experimentation. Across all grades, language arts education is grounded in a reading and workshop model that fosters a community of engaged readers, writers, and thinkers. Through interactive and collaborative activities such as book clubs, whole-class discussions, and peer reviews, students develop a love of reading and writing that is central to becoming lifelong learners. The social studies curriculum uses a narrative approach to create meaningful and memorable learnings across grade levels. This storyline method builds empathy and, along with a variety of service-oriented activities, nurtures informed and engaged citizens.

The Search Group | CS&A carneysandoe.com

ENRICHMENT STUDIESA diverse array of enrichment classes supplement students’ core academic studies across all grades at OHS, granting students the opportunity to expand their interests and fostering a conscious commitment to serving others. Taught by specialist teachers, these enrichment classes include:

• Bible & Character Education, in which students are invited to find the voice through which they can speak their faith, build Christian character, and develop godly integrity;

• CoLab, in which students acquire 21st-century skills that are critical to their future success in a STEM program that evolves from the fundamentals of logic and problem-solving in the Lower School to basic coding and computer science instruction in Upper School;

• Technology, in which students design technology projects that relate to their classroom learning as well as build their technology literacy, information fluency, and understanding about responsible uses of technology;

• Music, in which students have the opportunity to advance their own creativity, self-expression, and imagination in twice-weekly sessions that incorporate song, movement, and instrumental music-making;

• Physical Education, in which every student is encouraged to participate in structured physical activity each day, laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits and appreciation for physical wellness;

• Visual Arts, in which students experiment with a range of artistic tools and techniques to explore their own creativity and self-expression and create original works of art, while also gaining exposure to elements of art history and culture and discovering new ways in which to perceive the world around them;

• Viva Voce, in which students study oral communication via public speaking, debate, improvisation, stage acting, and dramatic interpretation of literature while engaging with a diverse array of texts—from Greek mythology to Shakespeare to Broadway.

4The Search Group |CS&A carneysandoe.com

5

ATHLETICSParticipation in athletics is widely encouraged at OHS and is seen as an important complement to classroom learning. Panther Pride is reflective of more than winning games, however; the athletics program balances an emphasis on skill development and healthy competition with the acquisition of important values such as sportsmanship, hard work, teamwork, and leadership. The School supports 13 teams across eight sports: cheerleading, cross country, football (Grades 5 and 6), volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, and track and field.

SERVICE LEARNINGService to others is central to the OHS mission and permeates the entire school community as well as the core curriculum. Service and Leadership Together (SALT) courses are a fundamental part of the educational experience for all students, providing intentional instruction in leadership and service, and complementing the School’s character education curriculum. Students engage in critical analysis of real-world social issues such as poverty and hunger, with the goal of creating and implementing plans for action within the local community. SALT classes teach students to identify the most critical needs in their community, leverage resources available to them, plan and execute on projects, and assess and learn from outcomes.

Another noteworthy, related program at OHS is the student-led Service Learning Board. Students in Grades 3-6 are selected through an application process to serve on the Service Learning Board alongside faculty and parents. The purpose of the board is to support, sponsor, and oversee all school service projects as well as strategize new service-oriented initiatives. Recently, the board decided to implement a defined service focus at each grade level, requiring the adoption of a yearlong, grade-specific service learning project that engages every student at OHS. The board also established a schoolwide day of service, held in February of each year.

The Search Group | CS&A carneysandoe.com

6The Search Group |CS&A carneysandoe.com

PHYSICAL CAMPUSThe Oak Hill School shares its campus of 63 acres with its founding institution, the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville. The school property occupies approximately 136,000 square feet, of which the most recent new additions are the Enrichment Center and the Library Technology Wing, both of which were added in 2008. In the last six years, Oak Hill School has completed full renovations of its Dining Hall, Upper School wing, Kindergarten and First Grade wing, as well as bathrooms in the 4th grade wing, where enrichment classes are also held.

Nashville, TennesseeDubbed “Music City, U.S.A.,” Nashville is known to many as the hub of the country music industry, but the city is also a thriving center for healthcare, banking, publishing, and transportation. Multiple Fortune 500 companies have offices in Nashville’s downtown district, including Nissan North America, Hospital Corporation of North America, Dell, Dollar General, and Bridgestone. The capital of Tennessee, Nashville has the third fastest-growing economy in the country as well as one of the nation’s healthiest housing markets, according to a recent report by Freddie Mac. The city has added three new skyscrapers to its skyline since 2010 and has recently invested in a new MTA bus hub and several new public parks.

In addition to the business district, which lies north of Broadway, Nashville’s downtown features Capitol Hill, the Bicentennial Mall, cultural and architectural attractions, entertainment venues, nightclubs, and restaurants. Nashville also has a large number of colleges and universities, which adds significantly to cultural life in the city. Popular historical attractions include Fort Nashborough and Fort Negley, the Tennessee State Museum, and a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens. Visitors also flock to the Hermitage—the residence of President Andrew Jackson—as it is one of the oldest presidential homes still open to the public. The Nashville Repertory Theatre, the Nashville Opera, the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Nashville Ballet are all located at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, while the Nashville Symphony has been housed at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center since 2006.

The country music industry has a strong impact on Nashville’s economy; the Big Four music labels and numerous independent labels have offices in the city. The Country Music Awards festival draws thousands of visitors to Nashville each June. The city hosts numerous other festivals and events throughout the year as well, including the Nashville Film Festival, Nashville Oktoberfest, the Tennessee State Fair, and the Rock N Roll Nashville Marathon. Also noteworthy for music fans are the Live on the Green Music Festival, a free concert series held in Public Square Park each summer, and Let Freedom Sing!, Nashville’s 4th of July celebration in Riverfront Park that features one of the country’s largest fireworks displays.

7

Opportunities & Challenges With the support of a dedicated Board and an engaged parent body, combined with a deeply committed faculty and the support of the First Presbyterian Church, the next Head of School will have an opportunity to support and further the mission of this warm and faith filled Pre-K-6 school. OHS has deep community roots and is identified by exceptional academics, strong enrollment, financial stability, and a commitment to Christian faith and traditions. The current facility is a bright and welcoming state-of-the-art educational space, and the 21st century curriculum includes a social/emotional learning component and Bible studies at all grade levels. OHS proudly celebrates its traditions, including a daily flag raising ceremony led by the students. Located in Nashville on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church, the oldest church in Nashville, OHS is a vibrant and welcoming school.

In addition to a strategic plan outlining the vision and mission of OHS, the Head of School at OHS will have the programming support of the two divisional leaders: Head of Lower School and Head of Upper School. The HOS will be embraced by a faculty dedicated to the Christian mission of OHS and to providing outstanding academic programming for students.

The Head of Oak Hill School will be charged to:

• Develop and foster a joyful educational community committed to Christian beliefs;• Provide visible leadership and build a vibrant school culture;• Realize a holistic vision of OHS as one Pre-K-6 school;• Partner with the First Presbyterian Church leaders on school/ church relations;• Further develop and evolve the recently conceived strategic plan in order to fully realize

the vision and mission of the School;• Commit to working to diversify the student body and faculty;• Support, develop, and lead the division heads in their work to provide exceptional academic

instruction;• Oversee the daily operations of the School and advance OHS’ vision for the future;• Be an active networker in the Nashville educational scene to support marketing, fundraising,

and placement of graduates into their high schools of choice.

The Search Group | CS&A carneysandoe.com

Qualities & Qualifications of the Next Head of SchoolStrong candidates for this position will bring many of the qualifications and qualities listed below. In addition to being a visionary leader, strategic thinker, and a skillful manager, the successful candidate will have a background, characteristics, and skills that include the following:

• A commitment to faith and an ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively communicate the best of Oak Hill’s School culture and traditions while continuing to move the School forward in preparing the children for success in the 21st century;

• Embodiment of the OHS’s community and faith based mission, and a deep love for children;

• Effective, transparent and excellent communicator (up, down, and across);• A connector and a bridge-builder;• Visionary leader who is wise, courageous, decisive, and an astute manager of change;• Good faculty/staff/administrator recruiter;• Fundraising and friend-raising skills/comfort;• Good manager: collaborative team builder, supportive of faculty, develops leadership;• Interpersonal skills: people person, comfortable with all constituents, socially adept;• Current with pedagogy, new ideas, and effective use of technology;• Visible and approachable leader with an appreciation for the committed parent body and

their input;• Integrity and commitment to the educational purpose of the School, married with a sense

of empathy and compassion for children;• An ability to work closely and comfortably with the Board of Trustees to build a true

partnership.

8The Search Group |CS&A carneysandoe.com

9

How to ApplyInterested candidates should submit the following materials as separate PDF attachments in one email:

• Cover letter expressing interest in the Head of School position at OHS;• Current résumé;• Statement of educational philosophy and practice; • List of 5 references with name, phone number, and e-mail address of each to:

Marguerite Lloyd | Burke ZaloshSenior Search Consultant | Senior Search Associate

marguerite.lloyd@carneysandoe.com | burke@carneysandoe.com

Carney, Sandoe & Associates200 High Street, Boston MA 02110

www.carneysandoe.com

The Search Group | CS&A carneysandoe.com

THank yOu fOr yOur inTereST in Oak Hill ScHOOl!