Position: Lower School Principal

Department: Lower School

Location: Greenleaf and Junior Buildings, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Staff (12-month)

Salary Range: $150,000 – $175,000

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just south of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in its students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Embracing diversity and the pursuit of excellence, we create a community in which individuals develop competence, confidence and character. Our active learning environment, in and out of the classroom, develops creative and critical thinkers, unafraid to express their ideas, prepared to seek meaningful lifetime success and to live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

Milton Academy seeks a collaborative, empathetic, and visionary principal to lead its dynamic 165-student Lower School (grades K-5).

Reporting to the Head of School, the Lower School Principal is a full-time position responsible for leading and managing all aspects of our joyful, child-centered, and highly diverse Lower School. The Principal also serves as a key member of the school’s Leadership Team, collaborating with other members of Milton’s K–12 administration, including the principals of the other two divisions.

A proven educator with significant classroom experience, the Lower School Principal must be deeply committed to the education of young children, while also possessing excellent leadership, management, communication, delegation, and interpersonal skills. The Principal must be a skilled listener with the ability to hear and appreciate different perspectives, while affirming and advancing the school’s philosophy and values. In addition, the Principal must be strongly committed to individual growth and creativity among a diverse group of students, families, faculty and staff.

The Lower School Principal is responsible for inspiring the community; balancing Milton’s tradition of rigorous progressive education with the needs of the future; and ensuring that the Lower School’s policies, procedures, programs, and culture promote Milton’s mission. The Principal builds on the strength of Milton’s history in developing insightful, independent thinkers, ready to tackle the challenges facing society. Knowledge of elementary curricula is critical. The Principal will be attuned to the complexities and rewards of a K-12 community, balancing advocacy for the needs of the Lower School with the needs of Milton as a whole K-12 school.

This is a unique opportunity to lead an extraordinary program. The successful candidate will have a vision for what makes an excellent K-5 program, the interpersonal and communication skills to build trust with faculty, staff, parents, and fellow administrators in service of that vision, and the strategic leadership skills to bring that vision to life.

**Applications due by November 20, 2025**

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead all functions of the Lower School, including but not limited to strategic planning, academic program, learning support, student life, health and safety, parent communication, and faculty professional development.
• Lead the Lower School faculty and staff, including ensuring a proper divisional structure is in place to administer the program.
• Oversee students in the Lower School, providing both relational support and accountability.
• Collaborate regularly with the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer to provide strategic oversight of Lower School DEI initiatives (in coordination with the Director of Lower and Middle School Equity and Inclusion) on issues related to diversity and inclusion in the school, with special emphasis on the experience of faculty and students.
• Oversee recruitment and hiring of Lower School faculty and staff. Collaborate with other school leaders to continually improve hiring policies that best fit the Academy’s mission and conform with human resources best practices. Oversee a Lower School talent strategy that responds to Milton’s goals and objectives and ensures that candidates fulfill the school’s objectives, both inside and outside the classroom.
• In conjunction with the Dean of Teaching and Learning, plan, oversee, and implement professional growth programming and support for all Lower School employees.
• Facilitate the performance evaluation process for all Lower School employees, ensuring that evaluations are completed in a timely manner and in accordance with Milton policy.
• Oversee family communication and parent education.
• Oversee the after school program, including enrichment activities.
• Manage risks, including student and employee related incidents.
• In partnership with the school’s Leadership Team, help articulate Milton’s culture and values to all constituents.
• Actively support and implement the objectives of Milton’s Strategic Plan.
• Oversee and manage the Lower School budget, ensuring that money spent by the Lower School is in support of student programs and strategic objectives.
• Work collaboratively with the Director of Lower and Middle School Admission.
• Keep current with research about early childhood and elementary education by attending conferences and maintaining memberships in professional organizations.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Supervision to be received: This position reports to the Head of School.

Supervision to be exercised: Lower School Leadership Team (Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dean of Operations, Director of Learning Resources, Director of Lower and Middle School Equity & Inclusion (dotted line)), Faculty, and Staff.

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: A bachelor’s degree in Education or related field.

Preferred: A master’s degree in Education or related field.

Experience

Required:

• 10+ years of elementary school leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success at providing a high-quality learning environment for students and a positive work culture for faculty and staff.

Competencies

Required:

• Obvious delight in working with children.
• Demonstrated commitment to the success of each student.
• Deep experience as an educator, including time in the classroom.
• Outstanding personal qualities - optimism, energy, warmth, empathy, resilience, ability to listen, and a sense of humor.
• Conviction and skill in leading a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community.
• Expertise in recruiting and retaining outstanding administrators, faculty and staff.
• Strong skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork across internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to inspire and collaborate with internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and tasks in a fast-paced work environment, including the ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities and communicate progress to all constituencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.
• Receptive to supervision and professional development.
• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.
• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Physical Abilities

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.
• Must be able to move between the Lower School’s three buildings, as well as across the school’s larger campus, without restriction.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods to supervise recess, assemblies, and events.
• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform their supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

Milton Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of any category protected by federal, state, or local law, including but not limited to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship or national or ethnic origin.