Dean of Students

Holderness School seeks a full-time Dean of Students to begin July 1, 2021. The Dean of Students reports directly to the Associate Head of School and works closely with the Administrative Team, instructional employees, students, and parents. The role of the Dean of Students is to create and cultivate a vision for the school that supports a healthy and caring community of learners.    

Overview

Located amid the lakes and mountains of central New Hampshire, Holderness School is a traditional co-ed independent secondary school, serving grades 9-12. Holderness strives to strike a balance in fostering the resources of the mind, body, and spirit: the mind through a challenging college preparatory curriculum; the body through outdoor activities and required interscholastic athletics; and the spirit through school and community service and affiliation with the Episcopal Church. Holderness remains by choice a small school where everybody plays an important role, and where students, faculty, and staff maintain close personal relationships.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement

Holderness School is committed to being a community that celebrates and supports diversity in its many forms because multiple perspectives and experiences are vital to educational excellence and strength in our community. Diversity refers to the human facets of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. Holderness strives to create opportunities for cooperation, to broaden the educational experience of all students, and to enrich the lives of all community members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Dean of Students

• Develop and manage social policies, protocols, and practices that serve to support student development, learning, health, and safety.
• Collaborate and maintain oversight of the School Life Team (Director of the Office of Inclusion & Equity, School Counselor, Assistant Dean of Students, etc) and the Student Support Group
• Serve as the liaison to the Board of Trustees School Life Committee
• Oversee student leadership development and work closely with the Assistant Dean of Students (ADoS) to organize student leadership training and support; meet weekly with the elected top four student leaders.
• Promote high standards and expectations for student leadership, personal integrity, and community responsibility.

• Maintain and support a system of discipline and restorative practices, including reinforcing accountability, school culture, values, and participation.
• Address disciplinary, social, and honor infractions, as well as communicate the details of these cases to parents, faculty, and students where appropriate. 
• Work closely with the Health Center staff, including the medical team and mental health team to support student health, safety, and well-being.
• Ensure the health and safety of students on campus as well as in residential programs.
• Champion leadership systems at the school in collaboration with the ADoS and senior leaders as well as with respect to the service leadership program connected to daily community responsibilities on campus.
• Coordinate and lead student orientation programs on an annual basis.
• Coordinate and schedule special programs and events for attendance by the student body such as assemblies relevant to discipline, health and wellness, and safety initiatives.
• Collaborate & communicate changes and additions to the school’s master calendar relevant to student life initiatives.
• Develop and implement the Student Handbook.
• Keep the Head of School and Associate Head of School informed regarding student issues and campus life.
• Coordinate and plan out (in collaboration with selected Deans) a slate of dynamic weekend activities over the course of the school year. 
• Support the Dean of Faculty on the hiring team to interview prospective teachers, coaches, and advisors.