Stoneleigh-Burnham School Greenfield, Massachusetts Head of School July 1, 2018 www.sbschool.org
Mission Stoneleigh-Burnham School is an academic community that fosters an international perspective. We inspire girls to pursue meaningful lives based on honor, respect and intellectual curiosity. Each student is challenged to discover her best self and graduate with confidence to think independently and act ethically, secure in the knowledge that her voice will be heard.
The Position Building on a decade of growth and achievement, Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS) seeks a strategic, visionary, and dynamic leader to serve as Head of School beginning in summer 2018. The ideal individual will be committed to the School’s mission of all-girls’ education and invested in supporting a diverse international community in which each student thrives in her academic and extracurricular pursuits. The new Head will need to be a strong presence in the tight-knit SBS community while leading the School with strength and purpose as it implements a new strategic plan, Vision 2021: Stoneleigh Burnham in Motion, which was launched by the Board in August 2016. The new Head of School will have opportunities to capitalize on the legacy of current Head Sally Mixsell, an SBS alumna whose tenure has been marked by the introduction of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, recent capital advancements, heightened academic programs, and the School’s newly acquired status as a testing site for the British Horse Society Certification. Furthermore, the new Head will lead fundraising efforts surrounding the celebrations of the School’s upcoming sesquicentennial in 2019, guiding Stoneleigh-Burnham as the School continues to advance its mission, build enrollment, and raise non-tuition revenue to support SBS in the coming years.
The School Stoneleigh-Burnham is the result of the mergers of five girls schools, the oldest of which was founded in 1869. The fifth and final merger, which brought The Mary A. Burnham School from Northampton to Greenfield, took place in 1968, when current Head of School Sally Mixsell was a senior. Today, Stoneleigh-Burnham is an all-girls boarding and day school of 155 students in grades 7-12. As an intentionally small school with an average class size of nine students, SBS offers a high The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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degree of individualized attention from its excellent faculty, three-quarters of whom hold advanced degrees. With its strong academic program, in 2011, SBS became the first and only New England girls school to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The School is known for its signature Equestrian, Dance, Debate and IB Diploma Programs. Stoneleigh-Burnham is committed to supporting diversity. Twelve percent of students identify as students of color, 35% are international, and 50% of all families receive financial aid. Approximately one-half of faculty members live on campus and serve as house-parents and coaches, so teachers know their students in and out of the classroom. Girls at Stoneleigh-Burnham report feeling confident, supported, and empowered in their learning and their extracurricular pursuits, and describe SBS as a kind, caring family in which female leaders can grow.
Governance The School is governed by a Board of Trustees made up of dedicated alumnae, parents, and friends of Stoneleigh-Burnham. The Board’s goal, to uphold the mission of the School, is borne out in decisionmaking surrounding School programs, strategic planning, and development, and Board members are often familiar faces on campus. The current Head came to the School following a substantial period of turnover and has worked collaboratively with the Board to create stability. During her tenure, the Board has developed a strong, annual Head’s evaluation program that will ensure the success of School leadership.
Academics The academic program at Stoneleigh-Burnham is characterized by an emphasis on making girls’ The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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voices heard. Through small class sizes and the School’s strong sense of community, faculty create an environment in which students feel supported and empowered to take risks in their learning. The school day runs on a weekly schedule from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM; boarding students have two hours of scheduled study hall each evening, although a typical course load requires students to work independently outside those hours. Technology is fully integrated in the academic program through a schoolwide one-to-one iPad initiative. In the last decade, new trimester requirements have been introduced to build 21st century competencies: ninth graders now complete a Global Technology class, and tenth graders study Rhetoric. The Forum program offers students a venue in which to discuss life skills, with a focus on leadership development. In the Middle and Upper Schools, academic support is available to students who stand to benefit from developing skills and strategies necessary to succeed; however, Stoneleigh-Burnham does not offer remedial instruction.
Middle School Middle School at Stoneleigh-Burnham is a positive and welcoming environment in which students in grades 7 and 8 cultivate a love for learning. The core academic program is comprised of an integrated humanities class, along with math, science, and the choice of French, Spanish, or Chinese. In 7th grade, students study arts and culture, using art as a lens for understanding global history and traditions; the 8th grade program shifts to focus on arts and identity. Throughout, theater, music, visual art, and a comprehensive life skills curriculum allow Stoneleigh-Burnham students to develop into well-rounded individuals who approach every part of their school experience with curiosity and enthusiasm.
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In every classroom, Middle Schoolers at SBS learn to ask questions, use critical thinking skills, and create original work, whether that means designing a science experiment or conducting a research project. Each student is supported in doing her best work; in the Middle School, faculty bypass a traditional letter-grade system, instead prioritizing self-knowledge and healthy development through a thoughtful combination of self-assessment and written narrative reports that provide a full picture of students’ progress.
Upper School In every aspect of academics in grades 9-12 at SBS, small class sizes allow faculty to tailor instruction to student needs and interests, developing individual strengths and passions as they prepare for college-level study. The English curriculum develops sophisticated reading and writing skills through a series of elective courses: in 9th and 10th grade English, students choose from various options that allow them to follow their interests in literature, journalism, and creative writing. For international students, SBS offers Intermediate and Advanced English Language in order to hone reading and writing skills in preparation for mainstream English study. In their history classes, Stoneleigh-Burnham students develop a sense of themselves as global citizens, and by studying either French, Spanish, or Chinese, students learn both language and culture. From beginning language classes to advanced IB-level study, students practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and student travel options, including homestays, allow them to implement these new skills. STEAM curriculum is tailored specifically to support girls in their math and science learning. Faculty work to build students’ confidence in their abilities as mathematicians and scientists, helping them develop the stamina to pursue difficult projects. Students develop abstract reasoning skills and practice real-world applications, and have the opportunity to delve into special topics including environmental and equine science.
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Beginning in 11th grade, SBS students may begin coursework in the IB curriculum; in order to pursue the The following is a partial list of schools IB Diploma, students take six subject-based courses. to which members of the Classes of Approximately half of the class joins the IB Diploma 2014-2016 have been accepted: Program. Other required features of the IB Diploma Program include the interdisciplinary Theory of Knowledge • American University class, which engenders an understanding of ways of • Assumption College knowing across cultures; the Extended Essay, which • Boston University allows students to investigate a topic of individual interest; • Brandeis University and the Creativity, Activity, and Service requirement, which • Brown University ensures that students become involved in arts, athletics, • Bryn Mawr College and community service. In the past three years, SBS’s • Carleton College percentage of successful IB Diploma recipients has been • Case Western Reserve well above the international average. • Colby College • Colorado State University College placement at Stoneleigh-Burnham draws on the • Connecticut College school-wide advisory program, which prepares students • CUNY Brooklyn to think about their futures as scholars, athletes, and • Dickinson College artists. As college draws closer, students meet one-on• Endicott College one with the SBS College Counselor, identifying interests, • Fordham University strengths, and priorities, and in the junior year, college • Franklin & Marshall College placement becomes the focus of the Forum classes in • George Washington University order to support and guide each student as she begins the application process. A high percentage of students are • Hampshire College accepted into their first- or second-choice colleges. • Harvard University • Ithaca College • Marist College • MIT Arts • Mount Holyoke College • New York University Arts are a fundamental part of the SBS experience, with • NYU, Abu Dhabi students participating in at least two terms of visual or • Oberlin College performing arts each year. Selections include instrumental • Occidental College performance at every level from beginning to advanced, • Penn State studio art, vocal music, composition, theater, and dance. • Pitzer College Dance is one of Stoneleigh-Burnham’s signature programs, with offerings for beginning and advanced dancers • Pratt Institute • School of the Art Institute, Chicago including a pointe class, IB dance courses, and the Dance Performance Project, which highlights special performances • Skidmore College and master class experiences. IB courses are offered in • Smith College music and studio art as well, with the visual arts program • Stevens Institute of Technology drawing on the example of women artists exhibited in • SUNY Binghamton the Geissler Gallery. The annual winter play offers an • Trinity College opportunity for Upper School thespians to participate in • University of Georgia a full-length performance; a diverse selection of musical • University of Rochester ensembles, including a chamber group, jazz combo, and • University of Vermont rock band, gives musicians ample opportunities to be • University of Virginia involved. Across the arts curriculum, an emphasis is placed • Villanova University on girls cultivating their passions, discovering new skills, • Worcester Polytechnic Institute and learning to appreciate artistic traditions the world over.
College Acceptances
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Athletics SBS students are required to participate in athletics every term, choosing from a slate of 16 options, which includes 10 Varsity teams. In addition to traditional sports offerings such as soccer, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, and the like, Stoneleigh-Burnham students may participate in figure skating or compete on an Alpine Ski team. SBS is a member of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and the River Valley League. Riding is one of the School’s signature programs, and through capital improvements and other enhancements, the present Board hopes to enhance the School’s national reputation as a place for student equestrians to thrive. Currently, approximately one-third of Stoneleigh-Burnham students participate in the equestrian program. Riders work with licensed coaches in small groups organized by ability level and may compete regularly. Stoneleigh-Burnham was a founding member (and fourtime national champion) of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) and competes at both the middle and upper school levels. Additionally, the School hosts two Horse Trials a year, as well as many smaller horse shows open to the public, including to SBS student riders. SBS is the only secondary school in the U.S. to offer the British Horse Society (BHS) Certification and has recently been approved as a U.S. test site for the BHS exam.
School Life School life at Stoneleigh-Burnham is shaped by the School’s tight-knit community, rich traditions, and emphasis on girls’ leadership. The weekly Housemeeting is one of the trademarks of the Stoneleigh-Burnham experience, a weekly all-school gathering in which students and faculty gather to share announcements, celebrate one another’s successes, and build community. Other features of community life include a Big Sister/Little Sister program in which each senior acts as a mentor to a small group of underclass girls.
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Favorite SBS traditions include Mountain Day, in which classes are cancelled for a hike to the summit of a nearby peak; “Spearth” Day, a spring Earth Day celebration that features service projects, a carnival, and a talent show; and the annual 100 Nights event, which marks the seniors’ last 100 days before graduation. Many of these events are organized by Stoneleigh-Burnham’s student government organizations, “StuCo,” the Upper School Student Council, and “MOCA,” the Middle School Office Caring for All. Beyond student government, girls are presented with leadership opportunities in the boarding program, where the oldest and most responsible students may serve as Resident Assistants, and in their extracurricular activities. Students in the Debate and Public Speaking Program, one of Stoneleigh-Burnham’s signature experiences, compete regularly throughout New England and at national, international, and world levels. The Program has prepared fifteen world competitors. Other interest-oriented clubs allow students to complete service projects in the Greenfield area or pursue their love for photography, theater, or environmentalism. In keeping with SBS’s focus on supporting a diverse student body, the School also supports a Gay/Straight Alliance, an affinity group for students of color, and an International Student Association.
Physical Campus Stoneleigh-Burnham is located on a 100-acre campus in western Massachusetts. School life centers on a main building comprised of classrooms and student housing, along with faculty apartments, the library, and dining room. Emerson Hall houses the gym, as well as fitness and dance facilities; the Geissler Art Gallery is home to the visual arts; and the Jesser Science Center, completed in 2000, contains both Upper School science and Middle School core classrooms. The School recently upgraded several campus facilities through a $1.2 million fundraising initiative, which created a new outdoor terrace and resulted in renovations of the Student Lounge, Student Café, dormitory rooms, and common areas. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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The campus is also notable for its Equestrian Center, which includes two barns, two indoor arenas, and an outdoor cross country “derby” field. Looking forward, the School hopes to further enhance these facilities through a $1.5 million dollar initiative, part of a broader plan to boost the reputation of the riding program and attract student equestrians. Other campus buildings include several faculty residences, including Coleman House, where the Head of School resides.
Summer Programs Stoneleigh Burnham hosts an array of summer residential programs that give students from around the world the opportunity to develop skills within the adventure and fun of summer camp. The School’s signature programs are reflected in the summer offerings of riding (Intensive Riding Camp and Bonnie Castle Riding Camp), dance (Sorvino Dance Intensive), and debate (A Voice of Her Own). English Language Intensive (ELI) is taught in a five-week program with a homestay option at the end, and the School is working to offer other mission-appropriate camps/programs over time. Currently, each program is offered at all levels of experience.
Greenfield, Massachusetts Greenfield, Massachusetts is a historic town of 18,000 residents located between the Connecticut River and the Berkshire foothills. Situated at the intersection of Interstate 91 and the scenic Mohawk Trail, Greenfield is also half an hour north of Northampton and less than 20 miles south of the New Hampshire border. Downtown Greenfield centers around a picturesque and historic Main Street, just down the road from the towns of Deerfield and Montague. The latter is home to the famous Montague Book Mill, one of New England’s most beloved bookstores. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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Opportunities and Challenges The new Head of School will face many important opportunities as she or he assumes leadership of the School. • Maintaining a Distinctive Program: Stoneleigh-Burnham is proud that its forward-looking approach to education is balanced with many cherished traditions and a challenging academic program enhanced by a caring community in which students feel safe to take risks and explore new ideas, experiences, approaches. The adoption of the International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Program in 2011 signaled the School’s dual commitment to offering a global education and to high academic standards. The Board seeks a Head who will work with the faculty to continue reviewing the program to ensure that SBS offers a compelling education to its students. • Cultivating a Global Perspective in a Multicultural, Caring Community: Diverse and international, the SBS community has been actively engaged in reflecting on supporting its diverse students while inspiring and challenging students, faculty, and staff to see the world through a diverse and global perspective. This work is ongoing and the new Head will contribute to maintaining a focus on this important aspect of the School. • Mobilize Community: In order for SBS to achieve all of its goals, the Head will need to mobilize and effectively manage and lead the collective energy and commitment of the administration, faculty, staff, and parents. At the same time, the small size of the School will mean that moments will inevitably arise when the Head must be hands-on. • Providing Visible Leadership and Clear Communications: The SBS community places a high value on the Head as a visible symbol who embodies the values of the School. The School’s strong sense of community requires that the next Head be highly visible and establish strong relationships with all constituencies of the School. The next Head of School will need to maintain clear communications with faculty and staff, parents, and alumnae, thus ensuring a sense of community and a common purpose while increasingly working to enlarge support for the School.
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• Continuing to Build Enrollment: Enrollment growth has been accompanied by a careful and successful commitment to admitting only students who will thrive at SBS. The next Head of School will work with the Directors of Admissions and Marketing and Communications to expand the pool of inquiries and applications by strategically identifying prospective families, by creating connections that continue to yield academically strong students, and by effectively communicating the School’s benefits. • Growing Non-Tuition Revenue: SBS has seen important increases in revenue from philanthropy and from auxiliary enterprises, particularly the growing summer camp program. The next Head will need to continue to support these two important revenue streams. The Head will also need to play an active role in securing gifts to operations, capital improvement, and the endowment. This commitment will at times conflict with the need of the community to have a visible Head of School who knows everyone and who sincerely supports the growth and development of students, faculty, and staff as individuals. • Equestrian Program: Long recognized for an outstanding equestrian program, the School is in the process of enhancing its commitment to the Program by improving facilities and by admitting students who wish to ride and show competitively while maintaining a strong academic program. The next Head will continue to work creatively with the Program to support the many students who care about riding, either competitively or recreationally, so that the Program remains integral to the life of the School.
Desired Qualities of the Next Head of School The Stoneleigh-Burnham School community is interested in candidates who possess the proven leadership and educational background to help the School maintain its commitment to academic excellence within a global, multicultural, and caring community. The most promising candidates will be strategic visionaries who understand the interdependence of all aspects of a school. The School seeks candidates who demonstrate most, if not all, of the following: • A willingness to embody the spirit of the School and embrace its mission and values. The Head must enjoy being an active and visible presence. • A deep understanding of important trends in education and the ability to combine that understanding with an appreciation for the School’s values and traditions in order to articulate a compelling vision for the School’s future. • Ability to think and act strategically and creatively to support and enhance the School’s program, finances, and enrollment. • A consultative and collaborative leadership style that effectively utilizes the commitment, energy, and wisdom of the community yet is able to be decisive when needed. • A leadership approach that, through appropriate delegation, empowers others to guide effectively the commitment, energy, and wisdom present in the faculty, staff, board, and the larger SBS community. • A warm, approachable presence that invites and respects the views of others. • A proven administrative background with ability to hold everyone accountable, serving first as a model of self-awareness and discipline. • Effective communications skills with faculty members, parents, students, community members, and the Board of Trustees, keeping these groups appropriately informed of potential issues and/ or needs. • Ability to work closely and comfortably with the Board of Trustees in a true partnership in governance The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates
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and leadership. • Understanding of and commitment to strategic external affairs, including admissions, fundraising, marketing, college placement, and broader community involvement. The successful candidate must be comfortable asking for financial support and must have a commitment to encouraging a culture of philanthropy. • Comfort in serving as a public figure and the chief ambassador and spokesperson of the School. In addition, the favored candidate will be an approachable, outgoing, energetic, confident person of keen intellect and strong emotional intelligence. She or he will exhibit fine personal values, courage, and deep integrity and will enjoy developing and guiding the SBS community. The School will be best matched by a leader with heart—someone with a down-to-earth, hands-on style and a sense of humor. The School’s intimate atmosphere requires someone who connects easily with parents, teachers, staff, and students and whose vision and energy unite the community.
To Apply Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials: • • • •
A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position A current résumé A one-page statement of educational philosophy and practice A list of five (5) professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each to:
Charlotte Rea Senior Search Consultant charlotte.rea@carneysandoe.com Bob Fricker Senior Search Consultant bob.fricker@carneysandoe.com
Search Calendar Candidates’ Materials Due: Search Update: Semi-Finalists’ Interviews: Finalists’ Interviews:
February 15 April 10 April 21-23 First two weeks of May
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