Head of School

Arbor Montessori School, a non-profit AMI-recognized school in Decatur, GA, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Head of School. Arbor currently serves students from 18 months through 14 years of age, with the inaugural high school class to begin in Fall 2026. 

The Head of School is the sole employee of the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the overall management of the school, in accordance with the Board’s policies. The Head of School is also the spokesperson for the school with all its internal and external constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, the business community, governmental agencies, as well as local, state, regional, and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies. 

The Head of School builds, trains, and leads a highly qualified faculty and staff, and together they attend to the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social, and physical growth of each child. Administratively, the Head of School supervises the effective implementation of AMI  Montessori pedagogy, supports enrollment and retention, manages finances, and provides information to the Board of Trustees on these initiatives. The Head of School is on campus during regular school hours, overseeing day-to-day operations, supporting faculty and staff, and building meaningful partnerships within the school community.  

Qualifications & Responsibilities 

Arbor seeks a leader who will honor its 55-year history while supporting the school through the next phase of growth and effecting change that will keep the school on a path for success in its next 50 years. The school is at an exciting junction as we prepare to consolidate our two existing campuses onto our newly expanded Lavista Campus and to offer the region’s first Montessori high school. The ideal candidate will lead with transparency, communicate effectively, and will cultivate positive relationships with all stakeholders within our school as well as the greater Atlanta community. Arbor envisions a Head of School who actively encourages collaboration and welcomes input from the community, yet accepts the final responsibility for making decisions that will ensure the sustainability of the school. In collaboration with the Board, the next Head of School will lead the implementation of the initiatives identified by the Arbor community in our strategic plan. These include fortifying community engagement, maintaining long-term financial stability, and maximizing enrollment, along with continuing Arbor’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ideal  candidates will possess: 

• 5+ years of direct people-management in a school setting, with formal supervision of faculty/staff (hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, evaluations, and performance management). 
• Leadership experience in a Montessori school (e.g., Head, Assistant Head, Program Director, Coordinator), demonstrating accountability for team outcomes, operations, finance, culture, and staff development.
• Collaborative leadership style that welcomes working closely with community partners including the Board of Trustees, AMI teaching team, level coordinators, staff, and parents 
• Teaching experience in a Montessori classroom; AMI teacher certification strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree is required, Master’s Degree  is preferred  
• Knowledge of the AMI recognition and SAIS/ SACS accreditation processes 

Key Responsibilities

• In coordination with the three level coordinators, maintain AMI Montessori pedagogy across levels; keep abreast of sound educational practices and apply them appropriately.
• Provide supervision—personally or through delegation—for all phases and activities of school operations.
• Recruit, employ, retain, and appraise high‑caliber faculty and staff; define duties and assignments; recognize excellence.
• Set and uphold school‑wide expectations for student conduct in collaboration with teachers and level coordinators.
• Support student experiences in and outside the classroom; encourage mission‑aligned extracurriculars.
• Foster parent involvement, community engagement, and family retention through clear, timely communication.
• Oversee financial operations and campus/facilities maintenance and development; co‑develop the annual budget with staff and the Board.
• Maintain AMI recognition and relevant accreditations; participate in professional organizations where beneficial to the school.
• Serve as a focal point of critical communications; review complaints and resolve conflicts in a manner consistent with policy and the school’s best interests; supply the Board with information about developments and events in the school.

Responsibilities

Student Life

• Dedication to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of Arbor students; promote a healthy, inclusive culture.
• Encourage extracurricular opportunities aligned with the mission; uphold school‑wide behavioral expectations and disciplinary decisions in collaboration with faculty and level coordinators.

Community Engagement

• Be present in the daily life of the school; foster parent partnership, DEI, and volunteerism consistent with school needs.
• Communicate openly about significant events, curricular updates, and policies; offer opportunities for parent conversations about Montessori and child development.

Board Relations

• The Board delegates full responsibility for school management and policy implementation to the Head of School.
• The Head serves as an ex officio, non‑voting participant with the Board; provides timely reports on operations, enrollment, accreditation, and key initiatives; and collaborates on strategy and the annual budget.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Ensure all school decisions maintain the AMI pedagogical focus and uphold academic and ethical standards.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, and—as necessary—dismiss faculty, level coordinators, specialty teachers, administrators, and staff.
• Support professional development; promote collegiality and ethical conduct; engage in dialogue about teaching and learning.
• Maintain AMI recognition; lead SAIS/SACS accreditation processes and ensure standards are met each year.

Business, Finance, & Facility Operations

• Oversee budgeting; monitor and report income, expenses, and cash flow; ensure appropriate records and audit support.
• Provide supervision for employment and human relations matters consistent with Board policy and applicable law.
• Ensure the maintenance and development of buildings, grounds, and facilities.