Moravian Academy Bethlehem, PA Head of School For July 2016

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1 Moravian Academy Bethlehem, PA Head of School For July 2016 Moravian Academy ( is a coeducational, independent day school, serving 730 students in grades primer through 12. The Academy traces its origins to the Moravians, who settled Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1741, and it descends from the first school for girls founded in the American colonies in The ninth oldest independent school in the United States, Moravian Academy was incorporated in 1971 with the merger of Moravian Seminary for Girls and Moravian Preparatory School. Moravian Academy is located in the beautiful Lehigh Valley in historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, approximately 50 miles north of Philadelphia, 70 miles west of New York City, and 20 miles south of the Pocono Mountains. The city of Bethlehem is over 270 years old, and many of the original 18th century buildings, as well as the 19th and early 20th century structures associated with the area steel industry remain. A cultural center with a thriving downtown, Bethlehem offers numerous opportunities to enjoy theater, music, films, and lectures. The Lehigh Valley and its surrounding communities are home to six colleges and universities including Lehigh, Lafayette, Moravian, Muhlenberg, DeSales and Cedar Crest Colleges. The Academy was founded by members of the Moravian faith, the oldest Protestant denomination. The early Moravians, guided by the wisdom of John Amos Comenius, the Moravian bishop who lived in 17th century Europe, viewed education as a sacred responsibility. Comenius envisioned an education in which all would participate, and an education that would allow each individual to develop fully in mind, body, and spirit. Moravians are known for their substantial music traditions. Moravian Academy continues in these traditions with vibrant music programs throughout each division. The Academy is located on two campuses, one in downtown Bethlehem that serves the Lower and Middle Schools and the second, the Upper School s Merle-Smith Campus, sprawling over 120 bucolic acres approximately six miles away. The Academy draws students from across the Lehigh Valley and neighboring regions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Moravian Academy seeks a Head of School for July The opportunity to serve as Head of Moravian Academy is a great opportunity to join a strong, caring community that is actively engaged in strategic planning and is eager for an enthusiastic and dynamic leader to step to the helm and partner with committed stakeholders in support of the school s future. 1

2 Mission and Philosophy Moravian Academy is a church-related school whose Moravian tradition affirms that young people best realize their potential in an atmosphere of love and understanding. We seek to promote the child's full development in mind, body, and spirit. Since 1742 the school has encouraged sound innovations to meet contemporary challenges while recognizing the permanence of basic human values Moravian Academy seeks to fulfill its mission by pursuing the following goals: Provide a strong academic foundation in preparation for college work. Help students develop self-respect, dignity, and a concern and respect for others. Promote creativity and an appreciation of aesthetic values. Help students to develop their physical skills and encourage positive attitudes about health and fitness. Engage students in experiences that will develop maturity, independence, adaptability, integrity, and love of learning. Help students to become aware of the spiritual dimension of life and further their understanding of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Encourage students and their parents to recognize their responsibilities in the educational process and demonstrate their commitment to the purposes and goals of Moravian Academy. Role of Religion The Academy welcomes people of all religious faiths and lives its religious identity in ways that honor and celebrate diversity. As a church-related school, the Academy values the beliefs and traditions of the Moravian Church, a heritage that both formed and informs its collective identity. The primary role of religion at the Academy is to foster and affirm the atmosphere of love and understanding set forth in the school s mission. Students and faculty, by division, gather weekly for chapel and several times a year the extended community is invited to celebrate a Moravian Lovefeast, a tradition dating back to 1727 that today s students cite as one of their favorite school traditions. The Academy does lease two of its downtown campus buildings from the church and 6 Board seats are reserved for members of the Moravian Church. A school chaplain serves the three divisions. Moravian Academy shares both a rich heritage as well as buildings, locations, and schedules with other local Moravian groups. The Academy benefits by having a healthy and respectful, mutual understanding and appreciation with the Central Moravian Church and Bethlehem Area Moravians (BAM), Moravian College, Moravian Village, the Moravian Archives, and the Moravian Historical Society. School Structure, Program, and Facilities Moravian has three divisions: Lower, Middle and Upper. Geography and size create challenges for communications and building cohesion among the divisions faculty and students alike. There is good community by division and a number of events bring the entire school together a few times a year. Faculty members consistently cite strong collegiality and a great regard for the students as aspects of the school for which they are most appreciative. The Academy seems to engender strong loyalty in its stakeholders, illustrated in part by many faculty members enjoying long tenures. 2

3 The Leadership Team is comprised of the Headmaster, Assistant Head of School, Lower, Middle and Upper School Directors, Directors of Institutional Advancement, Athletics and Physical Education, Business and Financial Affairs, Marketing and Communications and Plant Operations. The Head s administrative assistant attends in order to take minutes. A Headmaster s Advisory Council (HAC) comprised of two elected faculty representatives from each division meets with the Head of School monthly with the purpose of facilitating communication across the school. Moravian Academy has created an educational program that prepares students to thrive in a changing world, and faculty continue to examine how to best educate their students. While the academic curriculum at each level is rigorous, care for the whole student is evident with strong arts and athletic programs and a pervasive commitment to encouraging students to be good people. Faculty members genuinely care about the well being of the students they teach, and many teachers have chosen to come and remain at Moravian because of the focus on the whole child. Middle and Upper School students express an obvious and authentic gratitude for the care and attention they receive from their teachers. Lower School begins with a, new-this-school-year, Primer class (for three-year-olds) and continues through Grade 5. In the school year, the Academy launched a Spanish Immersion Program in Kindergarten, and students will have the opportunity to continue through fourth grade in a Spanish Immersion section. 40 faculty and staff work with the 240 children in the Lower School, which traditionally had three sections per grade level starting at Grade 1 but declining enrollment has eliminated one section per grade level except at grades 3 and 4. The Lower School curriculum is built to inspire confidence, critical thinking, creativity, and reasoning through cooperative learning, small-group instruction, and discussion. Educational opportunities beyond the classroom are important to the curriculum, and students enjoy field trips to a range of places and performances. Starting at Third Grade, Moravian Academy students do an overnight trip by grade. Specials include physical education, art, music, science lab and library; highlights include laboratory science for all students highlighting STEAM initiatives, and Suzuki Method violin and cello instruction starting in Kindergarten. The Middle School, grades 6-8 with 180 students, is supported by more than 25 faculty and staff. The Middle School experience strives to provide challenge and support, guiding students in becoming confident learners and promising leaders. In Middle School the program builds thoughtfully on the foundation of Lower School, and prepares directly for the demands of the Upper School. Students develop the skills and discipline to manage a growing workload and to plan and carry out longer-term projects. The faculty work to engage students through hands-on collaborative projects and active exploration, from delving into Pennsylvania history at the Lackawanna Coal Mine, to experiencing Shakespeare, and from the study of the Renaissance in Europe to the study of atomic structure of matter. The Middle School curriculum includes music and arts offerings, and each student chooses 3

4 French, Chinese, or Spanish for all three years of Middle School and all students study Latin beginning in Seventh Grade. Students can begin participating in interscholastic athletics during Middle School. The Upper School, grades 9-12, enrolls 314 students who are taught and supported by 50 faculty and staff. This year s 9 th grade class is one of the biggest in years, reflecting independent school enrollment trends seen nationally. Moravian Academy s college preparatory program not only provides students with the necessary tools to thrive in college, but also nurtures skills within them, skills they will carry beyond their educational pursuits. The curriculum includes a mix of traditional college preparatory offerings, including numerous AP offerings, and a rich array of electives that reflect forward-thinking, 21 st century instruction. Moravian Academy is committed to educating the whole person and an array of programs are focused on fulfilling the school s commitment to these tenets: Developing Cultural Insight and a Global Perspective; Communicating Skillfully in Varied Media; Unlocking Powers of Imagination and Self-Expression; Meeting Complex, Open-Ended Challenges, and Growing in Character and Leadership. Candidates are encouraged to delve into the details offered on the school s website about these programs which include global exchanges, a strong focus on writing, the Moravian Academy Broadcasting Company, a week long film festival, Handbell Choirs at each division, a Woodworking Studio run by a nationally recognized artist, opportunities for in-depth research projects (some in conjunction with Lehigh University), and a school-wide commitment to community service and sustainability. The Athletic Program offers a wide variety of interscholastic options for students beginning in Middle School. In any given year 80% of the students join at least one athletic team with the only requirement being that all ninth grade students must participate in at least one season of either athletics or the Outdoor Education Program. Moravian Academy athletic teams compete as members of the Colonial League and the school is also a member of District XI and of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). In order to support a larger number of teams than could be fielded with the school s student population, the Academy and nearby Notre Dame High School co-sponsor football, lacrosse, wrestling, field hockey, track & field and girl s volleyball, a relationship that has proven to be very positive. Moravian Academy also co-sponsors swimming with the Wilson School district. The school colors are gold and red and the mascot is a lion. The Fine and Performing Arts have a very strong presence at the Academy. Students are offered a myriad of opportunities in the visual, musical, and theater arts at each division and tours of each campus underscore both the commitment and the quality of the arts at Moravian. Moravian Academy hosts Lehigh Valley Summerbridge (LVS). More than 80 middle school students from throughout the Lehigh Valley enroll in two summers of enrichment classes and two years of after-school tutoring. LVS assists those middle school students with academic potential and limited resources to enter and succeed in college preparatory programs. Through the years over 650 students have actively participated in the program and 95% of the graduates go on to attend college. 4

5 As noted earlier, the Lower and Middle Schools are adjacent to each other in downtown Bethlehem while the Upper School is on its own campus. The Lower School is comprised of four buildings, two of which are leased from the Moravian Church. The gymnasium is a historic, well-preserved building and one of the oldest school gymnasiums still in operation. The Middle School is in two buildings across the street from one another. It is fair to note there is limited outdoor play space and designated school parking at the Academy s downtown campus, which create some challenges. The Upper School s 120 acres includes a seven-acre solar farm which provides most of the upper school s electricity. In addition to the new LEED certified Athletic and Wellness Center opened in 2014, the upper campus has four classroom and administrative buildings, a head of school s house and housing that a few other employees utilize. This campus has numerous playing fields and tennis courts. Governance, Accreditation and Finances The Moravian Academy Board of Trustees numbers 24 individuals and includes alumni, current parents, church representatives, and members of the community. The Board operates with a committee structure and clear, good governance practices. It is strategic and big picture, and understands the importance of a strong, supportive partnership with the Head of School. In the fall of 2014, the School launched a comprehensive strategic planning initiative working with Greenwich Leadership Partners. It is devoting this school year, as the Head of School search progresses, to delve deeply into a number of topics which will enable the new Head to join in, finalizing the priorities and the plan during his or her first year. Moravian is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. The school s most recent reaccreditation occurred in Moravian s yearly operating budget is $15M and the school awards approximately $2.2M in financial assistance each year. The school s endowment funds total $19M. Moravian typically raises approximately $500K in annual giving with 100% participation from faculty, staff and trustees, 65% from parents and 14% from alumni. It is carrying a total debt of $6M. Most recently a capital campaign raised $7M to provide the majority of the funds needed to build the Athletic and Wellness Center. Opportunities and Challenges To serve as Moravian Academy s Head of School is a tremendous opportunity to join a community that engenders strong loyalties in its students, parents, faculty and graduates, and while strongly grounded in traditions, the school is actively forward-looking. Moravian Academy launched a strategic planning process during the spring of During this current school year, the Strategic Planning Committee is using the opportunity to delve deeply into a number of topics including physical plant, faculty evaluation, demographics, and communications to provide thoughtful, deeply researched information to aid in the strategic planning process when the new Head of School comes on board. Moravian Academy s next Head of School will have the opportunity to join committed stakeholders in finalizing a thoughtful strategic plan that is examining both program and plant, and which will provide a dynamic roadmap for this leader s tenure. 5

6 The Academy s constituents greatly value community and relationships. The culture of the school is such that the community will embrace a Head of School who is highly visible, successfully builds relationships by connecting authentically with many people, and who invites and fosters a culture of open communication and collaboration. A number of the initiatives before the Academy will be achieved best by a Head of School who inspires others by embracing and modeling the mission and spirit of the school. An individual who will take the time to learn the community, its culture and its traditions and who is adept at soliciting input and listening well will be welcomed and appreciated. The Academy faculty culture is one of hard work, strong commitment to students, and ensuring a curriculum that is well-grounded in skills and innovative and engaging. Faculty will welcome more attention to professional development and effective evaluation, a process that is being examined this school year. Additionally, the Middle and Upper School divisions are considering whether their current schedules best meet the needs of students, and some believe there is a need to examine and intentionally prioritize long-standing traditions that pull time away from classes. Utilizing strong twoway communication skills, a new Head of School who will be sensitive to the pacing and appetite for change will be welcomed. Clear and effective communication at the Academy among individuals and groups is of paramount importance. Successful internal communications is difficult to get just right at any school, but Moravian Academy has the additional challenge of three divisions physically separated. While there is currently a faculty committee examining this issue and working to strengthen communications protocols for the professional internal community, securing enhanced communication will require a Head of School who is comfortable with appropriate transparency and understands how to disseminate information and garner input. Additionally, the new Head of School will have the opportunity to consider the administrative structure to ensure it effectively meets the needs of the school today and is well positioned to move the school forward. Like many PK-12 independent schools around the country, Moravian is experiencing declining interest in its division that serves the youngest students and growing interest in the Upper School. The Academy has put into place new programs, a 3-year-old Primer program and a Spanish Immersion Program beginning at Kindergarten that have garnered good interest from prospective families but have not yet bolstered overall enrollment at the Lower School. The next Head of School will need to lead an exploration of the factors contributing to lower interest at these grade levels demographics, tuition costs, and competition and a conversation considering right size at each division. Ensuring that the Academy s program is well and accurately known for its many strengths throughout the wider community is important to supporting enrollment. Through the years there has been ongoing consideration given to moving the Middle School to the expansive Merle-Smith campus. Such a move would require building substantial classroom space on the now Upper School only campus which would then potentially enable some reconfiguration of classroom space on the downtown campus. The Strategic Planning committee is carefully examining the school s physical space which will provide essential information for future changes. 6

7 Like virtually every independent school, Moravian Academy needs to continue to prioritize financial sustainability and check rising tuitions. As the Academy s Strategic Plan is finalized, the next Head of School will need to partner with others in inspiring and encouraging stakeholders to invest in the Academy. The school has had good success in strengthening constituent support in recent years (most notably the Athletic and Wellness Center). Efforts to reconnect with alumni have been gaining traction but need to continue, and working to educate community members of the school s need for philanthropic support will be a significant piece of the next Head of School s tenure. Leadership Needs Moravian Academy s next Head of School will be an individual who is enthusiastically aligned with the Academy s mission and culture. He or she will energetically embrace the role of chief ambassador and will lead this community forward in its achievement of program enhancements and strategic initiatives. He or she will be an educational leader who highly values the relationships between faculty and students, who ideally has strong teaching experience and is technologically sophisticated. Additionally, Moravian s next Head of School will be a visible, accessible leader who is: A collaborative team-builder and an adept decision maker, balancing input and decisiveness, and possessing the ability to delegate effectively Highly relational who connects joyfully with students of all ages, faculty, parents and alumni and who has a successful record of building strong relationships and partnerships on behalf of a school or organization An individual who communicates skillfully in writing, speaking and listening Energized by the noted opportunities and challenges and has demonstrated the ability to lead and coalesce others toward the achievement of goals A community builder who can build trust and enhance morale, setting an authentic and positive tone for students, faculty, parents and alumni Strategic and visionary and will lead with a business-minded head and an educator s heart A person of unwavering integrity A person of good humor. For Consideration Please send electronically: Resume, Letter of Interest and Educational Philosophy and/or Personal Statement to: Jane Armstrong or Bill Lyons, Managing Partners Independent Thinking it@independent-thinking.com All inquiries will be treated confidentially and review of candidate files will begin immediately. 7