Dean of Students, Middle School

The Dean of Students will support the Middle School Principal and Assistant Principal in providing for the smooth functioning of all programs in the Middle School, helping to assure the academic and social progress of the students, maintaining good community relations, advising the Middle School Principal on matters concerning the Middle School and representing the Principal as requested. The Middle School Dean of Students reports directly to the Principal of the Middle School.

The Middle School Dean of Students is responsible for ensuring smooth relationships with the Lab Schools community-students, parents, faculty, staff, and the University, participating in the admission process, and participating in planning and administering the Middle School budget. The Dean of Students will meet regularly with the Middle School faculty, with the Principal and Assistant Principal, academic and administrative leadership, and the Parents’ Association.

Responsibilities

• Support an effective system of communication within the Middle School community. 
• Foster positive connections between students, faculty and parents.
• Work with the Deans of Students across schools to develop shared language and implement equitable supports for students.
• Be an active presence throughout the school day particularly during less-structured times.
• Establish a working relationship with the High School and Lower School to establish consistent parent communication, disciplinary, and advisory work across all three divisions.
• Work with the Principal and Assistant Principal to develop and coordinate special activities that empower student leadership and develop a sense of community responsibility.
• Work with the Principal and Assistant Principal to educate the faculty on the shared nature of responsibilities, including discipline, attendance, mandated training and supervision.
• Serve as the point person for the student referral system working with the Department of Learning and Counseling to identify at-risk students and to implement appropriate interventions.
• Aid in the development of an orientation program and continued support for new students.
• Work with student clubs to support the Laboratory Schools mission initiatives.
• Oversee and approve all student fundraising proposals.
• Participate in the admissions, enrollment, and registration process.
• Support the school’s 1:1 computer program.
• Lead the disciplinary process; dealing with the violation of school rules in a consistent and timely fashion, to ensure proper and fair discipline in the Middle School.
• Conduct an annual revision of the student handbook.
• Monitor the effective use of the Powerschool attendance system by all faculty. Supervise the implementation of effective attendance policies and procedures.
• Participate in the hiring of faculty and staff.
• Maintain congruence between the School’s mission, core values, and core beliefs and all activities of the Middle School.
• Aid in the development of an orientation program for new faculty and continued support for faculty.
• Support learning specialists with identified student needs and resources.
• Support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work in the Middle School working with the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to incorporate this work throughout the program.
• Assist the Principal in providing instructional and organizational leadership, including the use of data to inform instruction and learning outcomes.
• Establish a working relationship with the Lower School (3-5) and High School to support consistency across divisions.
• Works with the Principal and Assistant Principal to ensure a safe, engaging learning environment for all students.
• Directly supervise a secretarial support.
• Serve as the school’s advocate and regularly communicates with the Lab Schools community - students, parents, faculty, staff, the University, and the surrounding community.
• With the Principal and Assistant Principal, organize, coordinate and supervise major class trips.
• Represent the middle school at Lab events.
• Help facilitate and organize 8th-grade graduation.
• Supports students, families, and faculty. Administers student services in the areas of extracurricular activities and programs, investigation and discipline. Administers communications systems between home and the school, including providing for parent conferences. Manages student personnel matters.
• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. Emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.
• Performs other related work as needed.