HEAD OF SCHOOL The Kinkaid School

E D U C A T I O N A L L E A D E R S H I P O P P O R T U N I T Y: Founded in 1906, The Kinkaid School is one of the most widely respected college pr...
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E D U C A T I O N A L

L E A D E R S H I P

O P P O R T U N I T Y:

Founded in 1906, The Kinkaid School is one of the most widely respected college preparatory schools in the nation. A nonsectarian day school located in a lovely Houston neighborhood, Kinkaid enrolls approximately 1,400 students in grades prekindergarten through grade 12. Kinkaid prides itself on encouraging students to “do it all” – fully exploring their talents and interests in academics, arts, and athletics. The curriculum is rigorous, rich, and deep. Students are challenged and supported by a topnotch faculty who are experienced, passionate about teaching, and dedicated to the development of the whole child.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Kinkaid School Houston, Texas For a position to begin in July of 2013, The Kinkaid School is seeking an experienced and energetic educational leader who will bring wisdom,

vision,

and

the

highest

ethical

standards to the task of guiding Kinkaid to the next level of excellence. The school requires a mature administrator who can

effectively

including

a

lead

talented

a

complex

faculty

and

enterprise, a

deeply

invested parent body. The school community will welcome an engaged and engaging leader who

demonstrates

respect

for

Kinkaid’s

traditions and a genuine interest in the entire school family.

On the web: www.kinkaid.org

Because it receives more than four applications for each available opening, Kinkaid can and does constitute a student body that is diverse in abilities and interests. With a long tradition as a family school, the school reserves up to 80 percent of its spaces for qualified applicants with a prior Kinkaid connection. Engaged parent and alumni bodies help to create a strong sense of community, one that is reinforced by more than a century of valued traditions. Also emphasized are service and character as defined by four core values: honesty, responsibility, respect, and kindness. Kinkaid’s core 40-acre campus offers extraordinary facilities rivaling those of many colleges. In the fall of 2011, Kinkaid announced the $20 million purchase of an additional 24.6-acre adjacent parcel of land that will expand the campus by more than 60 percent – a rare accomplishment for a school situated in a large metropolitan area. By May 2012, the school demonstrated its enthusiasm by raising more than $24 million – including its first $5 million gift – to fund the purchase of the land and the first phase of planned improvements. Kinkaid’s endowment exceeds $90 million. Ably led for the past 16 years by Headmaster Donald North, The Kinkaid School is extraordinarily well positioned for new leadership and continued success.

Application deadline: August 22, 2012

THE SCHOOL AT A GLANCE

MISSION Kinkaid's mission is to promote educational excellence, personal

Founded: 1906

responsibility, and balanced growth, and thereby to help its students to discover and develop their talents and to fulfill their best potentials.

Location: 65-acre campus in the Piney Point Village section of Houston 2011-12 enrollment: Lower (PK-4): Middle (5-8): Upper (9-12):

1,379 408 417 554

Students of color: 23% Full-time faculty and staff: 237 Full-time faculty: 158, 56% with advanced degrees Endowment: $90.1 million Operating budget: $35 million Total funds raised, 2010-11: $7.9 million Annual giving: $1.9 million Participation in annual giving: Alumni: 30% Parents: 77% Faculty/Staff: 97% Board: 100% Tuition, 2012-13: Pre-K-Kindergarten : Grades 1-4: Grades 5-8: Grades 9-12:

PHILOSOPHY From its earliest days Kinkaid has emphasized both academic attainment and character development. Margaret Kinkaid encouraged her students to seek honor as well as achievement, and she described her ideal student as "the intellectually capable boy or girl of sound character whose talents, interests, and uniqueness are educational assets for other Kinkaid children." Today's Kinkaid remains faithful to its founder's calling, valuing its students for their potential, as well as their achievement, and striving always for their balanced growth – intellectual, physical, social, and ethical. The primary goals of Kinkaid are intellectual endeavor and achievement. The School also believes that a well-rounded education includes experiences in the arts, athletics, and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Kinkaid further believes that every student is and will continue to be part of a community and, therefore, seeks to strengthen his or her moral responsibility and service to it. To that end, the School actively promotes honesty, respect, responsibility, and kindness. Kinkaid also believes that participation of parents in their children's education is essential to accomplishing its mission. The School makes every attempt to inform them of the School's purposes and goals, and expects their strong support in the pursuit of these aims.

KINKAID’S CORE VALUES Honesty: Members of the Kinkaid community tell the truth and act with integrity and honor. We do not mislead, cheat, or steal.

$16,000 $16,540 $19,140 $20,530

Financial aid: $2.07 million Students receiving aid: 10.3% Accreditation: Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Member: National Association of Independent Schools, Network of Complementary Schools, Cum Laude Society, American Field Service

Responsibility: Members of the Kinkaid community are reliable and hold themselves and others accountable for their actions. We do not make excuses, blame others, or take unwarranted credit. Respect: Members of the Kinkaid community affirm the intrinsic dignity of all people. We act with tolerance, courtesy, and thoughtful regard for all persons, for property, for the environment, and for ourselves. Kindness: Members of the Kinkaid community exhibit caring and compassionate behavior in all aspects of daily life. We are not mean, do not harass nor act in a cruel manner. By our positive example, we discourage unkind behavior in others.

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DEFINING QUALITIES & UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF THE SCHOOL The oldest independent coeducational school in Houston, Kinkaid has been immeasurably enriched by tradition and a constancy of purpose and vision. The school has had only four Heads during its 106-year history; from 1906 to 1951, founder Margaret Hunter Kinkaid set the standards that continue to guide the school. Current Headmaster Donald C. North has led Kinkaid with great skill and vision since 1996. During his tenure, the school has raised nearly $100 million, built several magnificent new facilities, and enhanced the educational program. Beloved annual traditions include an expansive Field Day program featuring Purple vs. Gold competitions that date back to 1911; a Book Fair that began in 1951; and a legendary athletics and arts rivalry with St. John’s School. The Margaret Kinkaid Holiday Concert, a tradition launched by the school’s founder in 1924, features performances by all of the school’s ensembles and a communal performance of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. The graduation ceremony features a junior class procession with ivy arches and a daisy chain as well as the unveiling of a class flag by each senior class. Alumni are a vital part of the Kinkaid community, both as ongoing supporters and as participants in many cherished traditions. Among them is the Richmond Guard Reunion, honoring the graduates of the school’s second location, from which it moved in 1957. THE STUDENT BODY Demand for the Kinkaid experience is very high and growing, with more than 900 applications for approximately 175 available places. While admissions in such a competitive environment will always be a source of controversy and occasional challenge for the Head of School, Kinkaid’s clearly stated policies and collaborative process are designed to provide a measure of transparency. In keeping with Kinkaid’s tradition as a family school, the Board of Trustees recently affirmed its long-established policy that, among qualified applicants, priority preference is given to children of alumni, siblings of enrolled students, and children of faculty and staff. At least 20 percent of admissions spaces are reserved for students from families new to the school. Currently, 65 percent of the student body consists of priority students, including 76 percent of Lower School students, 66 percent of Middle School students, and 56 percent of Upper School students. The Kinkaid Admissions staff works in concert with 11 separate grade-level faculty admissions committees to evaluate all candidates. The work of these faculty admissions committees is extraordinarily time-consuming and complex, as they seek students of strong character and diverse talents in academics, the arts, and athletics to enhance the whole child educational approach and experience at Kinkaid. After hours of reviewing students’ files and lengthy discussions about the candidates, each member of the committee privately votes for his/her top candidates. Once the results are compiled, the committee’s recommended applicant list is presented to the Head of School, who, per Board policy, has final approval of which students are admitted. Committed for generations to a need-blind admissions policy, Kinkaid invested more than $2 million in financial aid this year. Ten percent of the student body received some level of financial support, ranging from partial grants of $1,500 to full tuition-plus grants. Kinkaid students are bright, well behaved, friendly, and eager to participate broadly in the myriad opportunities available to them. The success of the school’s admissions and educational programs is evident in the performance and college placement of Kinkaid students. Average SAT scores for the 136-member Class of 2011 were 641 Critical Reading, 661 Math, and 646 Writing. Twenty-eight members of that class were recognized in the National Merit Scholarship Program, including 10 Finalists and 18 Commended Students as well as one National Achievement Scholar. In May 2011, 209 Kinkaid students wrote 503 AP exams in 20 subjects; 94 percent of the grades were 3 and above, with 68 percent of those grades either a 4 or 5. College destinations for the Class of 2011 included the following: Babson College Bates College Boston University Carleton College Chapman University Colby College Colorado College Columbia University Dartmouth College Elon University Emory University* Full Sail University Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology Harvard University Hillsdale College Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University McGill University Middlebury College Nebraska Wesleyan University New York University* Northwestern University* Oxford College of Emory University Pepperdine University Pomona College

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Presbyterian College Princeton University Rhodes College Rice University Sewanee: The University of the South* Southern Methodist University* St. Edward’s University Stanford University* Stephen F. Austin State University Texas A&M University* Texas Christian University* Tufts University Tulane University

U.S. Naval Academy University of Alabama University of Arizona University of California at Santa Barbara University of Chicago University of Colorado at Boulder University of Denver University of Georgia University of Houston

University of Miami University of Mississippi University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill UNC School of the Arts University of Richmond University of Southern California University of Texas, Austin* University of Virginia* Vanderbilt University*

Wake Forest University* Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Yale University *Three or more students enrolling

THE FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kinkaid offers an exceptional environment for teachers and teaching. Within each of the three divisions, the faculty is collegial and creative, accustomed to a great deal of autonomy in their classrooms. In addition to their teaching, most serve as advisors to students and sponsors of extracurricular student clubs or activities. Many also coach interscholastic athletics in a variety of sports at all levels of competition. Faculty “lions” – past and present – are legendary at Kinkaid and reinforce the school’s reputation as a bastion of excellence in teaching. The faculty has an average of 19 years of experience at Kinkaid; 56 percent hold advanced degrees, including 14 with doctoral degrees. Teachers are well compensated (the 2011-12 salary range is $45,000-$101,000, with a median salary of $66,450) and supported in their pursuit of professional development. This year, the school provided more than $150,000 for professional development, including study grants for continuing formal education, research projects, and educational travel. The faculty has developed a set of benchmarks that define excellence in teaching at Kinkaid and which are used as part of the faculty evaluation and professional growth process. The Dean of Faculty oversees recruitment and hiring of teachers in all divisions. Twelve administrators report directly to the Head of School, including the Principals of each division; the Dean of Faculty; the Head Upper School Dean; the Director of Fine Arts and Choral Activities; the Director of Athletics, PE, and Wellness; the Chief Financial Officer; the Director of Advancement; the Director of Admissions; the Chief Technology Officer; and the Director of Facilities. The dedicated and talented 25-member Board of Trustees includes parents, former parents, and alumni. Nine Life Trustees, all former Board Chairs, are voting members. The Board also designates non-voting Trustee Emeriti in recognition of extraordinary service. The Board has created two tax-exempt entities, The Endowment Fund and the Investments Foundation, to provide oversight and to manage the school’s properties and assets. Each of those ninemember entities includes five current members of the Board. CAMPUS, FACILITIES, AND LOCATION Even before the magnificent potential associated with its new 24.6-acre parcel is taken into account, Kinkaid’s 40-acre campus is extraordinary. Situated in the residential community of Piney Point Village, the $61.4 million plant includes three libraries, a 57,000square-foot Lower School dedicated in 2001, the 60,000-square-foot Lenny C. Katz Performing Arts Center, including a 780-seat theatre, which opened in 2002; and the Center for Student Life, Fine Arts, and Administration, constructed in 2003. The excellent athletic facilities include three gymnasia and a fitness center; a 1,550-seat stadium for football, soccer, and lacrosse; multiple fields, including new turf fields for football and field hockey; new batting cages; and four tennis courts. The Kinkaid Backyard, a 3.9-acre plot bordering Buffalo Bayou at the southern boundary of the campus, is a riparian corridor that serves as an outdoor classroom and nature study area. Technology resources include an Ethernet network with fiber-optic backbone; approximately 1,000 desktop and laptop computers (99 percent Macs); 130 ceiling-mounted projectors, 90 Promethean boards; and an in-house TV production studio in the 4

Lower School. An attractive 4,000-square-foot home for the Head of School – including four bedrooms and two great family rooms – is situated right across the street from the campus. With a population of 2.1 million (5.5 million throughout the metropolitan area), Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States. Its moderate climate, rich cultural diversity, relatively low cost of living, and myriad recreational opportunities make it a very attractive place to live. Home to numerous colleges and universities, outstanding medical centers, 30 museums, hundreds of arts organizations, and five professional sports team, Houston offers a wonderful, family-friendly environment.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM For a more detailed look at the curriculum, visit the school’s website: www.kinkaid.org. Here are a few highlights: The Lower School combines academic challenge with hands-on experience, offering a project-based and multidisciplinary curriculum that incorporates perspectives from art, music, science, global awareness, daily physical education, and field trips. The Parents’ Association each spring hosts an International Fair that transforms classrooms into specific countries. Technology is incorporated throughout, and character education and community service are integrated into all areas of school life. The Middle School develops confidence and independence through a skills-based curriculum that is interdisciplinary, exploratory, and challenging. Faculty provide additional support in both morning and afternoon tutorials. Exposure to languages begins in fifth grade, and most eighth-graders also take a year of Latin. Class trips are a valued tradition, including a four-day visit to Washington, DC, for the eighth-graders. A Peer Mentoring Program provides weekly leadership training to eighth-grade students who serve as ambassadors for the division and work with fifth- and sixth-grade advisory groups. Community service activities include two school-wide days of service. Upper School graduation requirements include four years of English; three years of math, history/social studies, and science; two years of foreign language; one year of fine arts; and demonstrated computer proficiency. In addition, students must work for one semester in a school service position. AP courses are available in all disciplines. Departmental approval is required for AP enrollment, and all students enrolled in an AP course are required to take the exam. Foreign language study through the AP level is offered in French, Spanish, and Latin; a four-year Chinese sequence is also available. The Upper School administrative team includes six Upper School Deans. The Dean system reflects the school's commitment to holistic counseling. Before entering the ninth grade, students are assigned to one of the six Upper School Deans. Serving as an advocate and resource for the student, each Dean advises and counsels his or her assigned students for all four years in academic and social matters, including college counseling. For more than 40 years, the required three-week January Interim Term has provided Upper School students with the opportunity to choose from among special interest courses, foreign study homestay opportunities, community service, cultural programs, and career development internships. For-credit independent-study options are also available to Upper School students in the arts, math, and science. A member of the Class of 2011, supported by the Upper School’s independent science research class, was selected as a finalist in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search competition, 5

The arts are an integral part of the Kinkaid experience in all three divisions, supported by exceptional facilities and faculty. Each year, students earn multiple honors in regional and national fine arts competitions. More than 80 percent of Upper School students participate in the arts, and many graduates pursue arts-related fields. The Upper School offers 35 courses in visual arts, photography, band, orchestra, choir, dance, technical theater, architecture, drama, creative writing, and film studies. More than 95 percent of Middle School students and 80 percent of Upper School students participate in Kinkaid’s robust interscholastic athletics program. More than 90 teams are fielded in grades 7-12 in sports including baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, karate, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling. A member of the Southwest Preparatory Conference, Kinkaid has won numerous conference championships as well as the SPC Athletic Directors Cup as the top overall program in three of the past six years. Noncompetitive offerings include yoga, dance, conditioning, and cardiofitness classes. The Wells Fellow, Weiner Fellow, and Papadopoulos programs bring to the campus outstanding speakers and scholars from many fields. Previous participants include Walter Isaacson, Peggy Noonan, Michio Kaku, John McPhee, James Michener, Barbara Jordan, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ken Burns, Jane Goodall, and David Brooks. In the Lower School, students have the opportunity to meet with outstanding children’s authors and illustrators through the Kyle Likover Memorial Visiting Author Series.

OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES AWAITING THE NEXT HEAD OF SCHOOL The headship of Kinkaid School will undoubtedly be among the premier leadership opportunities available in the independent school world next year. Kinkaid’s next leader will have exceptional human, physical, and financial resources upon which to draw. Equally important, he or she will inherit the very solid foundation of programs and traditions that have served the Kinkaid community well for more than a century. Among the specific opportunities and challenges awaiting the next Head of School are the following: THE CAMPUS EXPANSION Kinkaid’s next Head will have the unparalleled opportunity to lead much of the master planning and fundraising for a campus expansion that will position the school to flourish for the next hundred years. Some facilities enhancements already have been or will be implemented quickly— including improvements to the school entrance, increased parking, the development of a new Outdoor Learning Center, and field upgrades. But because the former owner has a life estate, Kinkaid will not gain full use of the new property until the former owner chooses to leave it. Thus, it will likely be several years before the land can be fully developed. That timing will work to the advantage of the new Head, who will work with the Board in the development of a thoughtful plan to make the best use of the property. Early ideas for Phase II of the project, illustrated in the graphic at right, include the construction of a new Upper School, a new cafeteria, long-distance learning labs, additional practice fields, a multi-level parking facility, and an outdoor amphitheater.

THE SCHOOL CULTURE Within its rigorous intellectual and energetic interpersonal environment, the Kinkaid School family holds a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. An incident in the fall of 2009 brought to the surface several underlying tensions. The last-minute cancellation of a pep rally skit and then the cancellation of the pep rally itself led several parents to write letters expressing concerns about this and other decisions as well as school programs that they felt were motivated by particular political points of view or general notions of “political correctness.” One of the letters found a larger audience and eventually made its way into local publications and onto the Internet. This letter and various reactions to it from parents, faculty and staff, alumni, and others brought to the fore the challenge of balancing a school culture that both cherishes its rich, shared, 100-year traditions and encourages change and the diversity of thought necessary to stay current and relevant. The Board of Trustees and the Head of School, particularly in recent years, have gone to great lengths to debate, define, codify, and communicate Kinkaid’s core values as reflected in a series of policy statements on topics including admissions, diversity, religious expression, non-harassment, sexual orientation, and the expectations of adult constituencies – including the Board, administration, faculty, and parents. In response to the fall 2009 events, a task force of Board members, parents, faculty, and administrators was formed to survey the community and explore how best to address these challenges. In August 2010, The Board of Trustees published Moving Forward: A Report to the Kinkaid Community, which offered a thoughtful discussion of the issues and a set of policy, program, and performance recommendations, including measures to strengthen communication among all Kinkaid constituencies. This commitment to dialogue and transparency has been generally well received in the school community. Wideranging school performance surveys of parents, faculty, staff, and administrators conducted in each of the past two years have shown high and increasing levels of satisfaction with most elements of the Kinkaid experience. As with any enduring institution, an understanding of the school’s overall history and its recent past will aid the next Head in maintaining Kinkaid’s core values within a thriving culture. The Board’s sense, and that of the community, is that Kinkaid has now dealt responsibly and appropriately with issues currently confronting most schools and being debated by American society as a whole. TEACHING AND LEARNING As the leader of a talented and strong-minded faculty and academic administration, the Head of School will be expected to provide visionary leadership rather than operational oversight of the educational program and faculty. While Kinkaid’s curriculum is successful and solid, parents and faculty members report that there is room for improvement in the integration of the program across divisions. A curriculum mapping project is under way, but it has been greeted with varying levels of enthusiasm by the faculty. In the Upper School, the schedule – which has not fundamentally changed in decades – is a topic of considerable discussion. The three-week Interim Term, a highly regarded element of the program, nonetheless poses challenges for teachers who need to cover increasingly content-packed AP curricula. As articulated in the Moving Forward report, the Board has established “global competency” and “cultural fluency” as academic rationales for Kinkaid’s diversity efforts. Ensuring that the educational programs of the school continue to evolve in ways that promote global literacy will be an important priority in the years ahead. The excellence of the Kinkaid faculty is a defining feature of the school, one that the new Head must fiercely protect and promote. To ensure that a new generation of stellar teachers will emerge to succeed the legendary teachers of the past and present, continuing attention will need to be paid to faculty recruitment, evaluation, and professional development.

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THE POSITION: HEAD OF KINKAID SCHOOL At the core of Kinkaid’s mission is the commitment to academic excellence and an emphasis on the education of the whole child. As the leader of an institution with these values, the Head of School must have broad intellectual interests, extensive administrative and managerial skills, and ethical standards that align with those of the Kinkaid community. The Head of School will work closely with Kinkaid’s exceptional faculty to ensure that the school is providing academic, athletic, and arts opportunities commensurate with Kinkaid’s talented and multifaceted student body. With the Board of Trustees and the senior administrative staff, the Head of School will further develop Kinkaid’s strategic direction and define a compelling vision, preserving its traditional strengths while refining a future agenda aimed at helping students engage in an increasingly complex and diverse global society. Kinkaid’s Head will oversee the financial well-being of the school by setting priorities that are consistent with its values and by attracting financial and other resources that sustain its vision for the future. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Build upon Kinkaid’s history of academic rigor and excellence, which helps to define its identity as one of the premier independent schools in the country. Set the next chapter for Kinkaid by developing the future vision for the school, articulating that vision with authenticity and passion internally and externally. Promote an inclusive sense of community across Kinkaid’s constituencies – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents – leading to a shared ethos and creation of an environment grounded in a common commitment to ethical behavior, mutual respect, and the education of the whole child. Ensure that Kinkaid’s faculty remains one of the school’s greatest strengths by recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional teachers and engaging them fully in the life of the school. Oversee and work closely with Kinkaid’s administrative staff, including development, admissions, college counseling, finance, athletics, technology, and facilities to ensure that Kinkaid’s students have access to vital opportunities and services. Work closely and communicate frequently and effectively with the Board of Trustees. Continue to connect alumni, parents, and donors to Kinkaid’s mission and support the achievement of its highest ambitions. Oversee the school’s finances and facilities while responsibly stewarding its assets and controlling costs. Maintain an engaged and consistent presence on campus, knowing students, faculty, and staff personally. CRITICAL COMPETENCIES In sum, the ongoing charge to the new Head of School will include the following high priorities: Strategic and organizational leadership: The Head of School will provide strong leadership that supports an exciting educational and organizational vision for Kinkaid by: o

Leading the development and implementation of the next phase of comprehensive strategic and growth plans for the school with a particular emphasis on the newly acquired land, while engaging Kinkaid’s key constituencies in the process.

o

Promoting excellence and a culture of success at all levels in the organization.

o

Fostering curricular and programmatic innovations that enable students to develop their distinct talents and prepare them for the rapidly changing and increasingly competitive world they will be entering. 8

Educational vision: In an academically rigorous institution, the Head of School will develop and implement an inspiring educational vision that reflects Kinkaid’s distinctive culture and values by: o

Providing intellectual leadership and an exploration of new educational opportunities that align with Kinkaid’s educational mission and long-term strategies.

o

Seeking and developing opportunities for education of the whole child, including independence, ethics, character development, and preparation for life in a global setting.

o

Understanding the hopes and dreams of the students entrusted to Kinkaid’s care and developing their individual talents.

Engagement and community building: The Head of School will forge strong relationships and a shared sense of purpose with faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, and parents by: o

Maintaining a dynamic and visible presence on campus and cultivating relationships with all constituencies based on transparency, trust, and care.

o

Demonstrating an understanding and empathy of those who have committed their lives to the education and development of Kinkaid’s students.

o

As the spokesperson for Kinkaid, demonstrating the ability, interest, and willingness to seize opportunities for engagement through casual interactions, formal presentations, and written communications that are thoughtful and reflective of Kinkaid’s values.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS Ideally, the next Head of Kinkaid School will offer evidence of most or all of the following: A demonstrated passion and commitment to the highest academic standards and ethical values. A track record of successfully identifying, recruiting, cultivating, and retaining talent at all levels of an organization. Exceptional oral and written communication skills that have contributed to building institutional success, spirit, and community. Proven administrative leadership skills managing a complex environment as evidenced by professionalism, high standards, and esprit de corps. A record of providing character education and the preparation of young people for college and life after they have left school. The successful navigation of organizational change, whether imposed or intended. Effective stewardship of institutional assets, including staff, finances, grounds, and facilities. The ability to engage with a school community for financial and other support as needed. In addition, the Head of School should possess the following personal qualities: Abundant intellectual curiosity. A strong moral compass, including a willingness to resist political pressures and to say no as appropriate. The ability to bridge differences and promote a spirit of common purpose. A mature perspective, patience, and a thick skin. A passion for teaching, respect for the work teachers do, and the ability to inspire students and adults to grow and learn new things. A genuine enjoyment of young people, evidenced by the desire to be visible in classrooms and hallways, at athletic events, and at arts performances. An appreciation for the power and value of tradition, coupled with the patience to take the time necessary to understand the school well before proposing significant changes. A sensitive and nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding diversity in all its forms. An appreciation for the culture and style of the Southwest. 9

Anticipated Search Calendar: Application deadline:

August 22, 2012

Search Committee selects semifinalists:

September 4, 2012

Semifinalist interviews:

September 21-23, 2012

Finalist visits:

October 2012

Appointment:

October 2012

Start date:

July 1, 2013

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & PROCESS Acting on behalf of Kinkaid School, Wickenden Associates is actively recruiting talented educational leaders who possess the skills, personal qualities, and experience necessary to meet the demands of this premier leadership position. The lead consultants are James Wickenden ([email protected]) and Martha Wickenden ([email protected]). They can be reached by telephone at 609-6831355. Applicants should submit by Wednesday, August 22, 2012, the following: A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position. A current résumé. A statement of educational philosophy and/or other supporting material (e.g. articles or speeches) that would be useful to the Search Committee. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. (We will obtain permission from candidates before contacting references.) These materials should be transmitted via email attachment to [email protected]. After an initial review of applicants, the Search Committee will select semifinalists, who will be interviewed over the weekend of September 21-23, 2012. Finalists and their spouses, if applicable, will then be invited to the school for a more comprehensive series of interviews with representatives of the school’s constituencies. Ideally, a final selection will be made no later than October 2012. Wickenden Associates will keep all applicants informed of their status throughout the process.

1000 Herrontown Road, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 7716 Website: www.wickenden.com

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Tel: 609 683 1355 Fax: 609 683 1351 Email: [email protected]