POSITION SUMMARY
The Dean of Academics provides academic leadership for the Hill School Summer Scholars program, ensuring an engaging, age-appropriate, and intellectually enriching experience for rising 7th and 8th-grade students. Working in close partnership with Hill School faculty and leadership and the ESF Camps leadership team, the Dean of Academics oversees curriculum development, faculty recruitment and support, classroom operations, and overall academic quality throughout the summer.
As the program’s primary academic leader, this individual serves as the key liaison between faculty and the ESF Program Director, ensuring seamless integration between the academic program and the residential/student life experience.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
This role is organized around three phases: pre-program (curriculum development and faculty recruitment), in-session (faculty support and delivery of an enriching academic day), and post-program (evaluation of faculty, student outcomes, and the program as a whole to inform future improvements).
Academic Program and Curriculum Development
- Partner with Hill School and ESF leadership to recruit, review, and select course offering each summer, ensuring alignment with the program’s mission and educational philosophy
- Guide instructors in developing curricula tailored to rising 7th and 8th grade students.
- Ensure lesson plans are age-appropriate, interactive, and experiential, and support the program’s broader learning objectives, including ensuring each student has a tangible “take-away”
- Advise faculty on instructional best practices for middle school learners
- Lead faculty onboarding and communicate program expectations clearly
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline of instructors to support future program growth
- Serve as the primary liaison between faculty and the ESF Program Director during the planning phase
- Coordinate with faculty and ESF leadership on academic supply ordering
- Help assign classroom locations based on instructional needs
- Participate in staff planning meetings ahead of the program
- Design a standardized “Boarding School Prep” curriculum for faculty use, including essay preparation and interview preparation components
In-Session Leadership and Operations
- Provide daily oversight of academic programming through regular classroom visits, monitoring instructional quality, and student engagement
- Support faculty in fostering a positive, inclusive learning environment
- Supervise instructors throughout the program, offering ongoing coaching and feedback
- Assist faculty with classroom management strategies as needed
- Coordinate substitute coverage and schedule adjustments when necessary
- Ensure instructional materials and classroom resources are organized, available, and properly distributed
- Coordinate special academic events, showcases, and guest speakers (daily program assembly)
- Meet regularly with program leadership to review program operations
- Collaborate with residential and student life staff to ensure a cohesive student experience
Post-Program Responsibilities
- Gather feedback from faculty on curriculum, classroom operations, and student engagement
- Identify opportunities for curriculum and program enhancement
- Conduct end-of-program meetings with instructors, recognize faculty contributions, and document staffing recommendations for future summers
- Evaluate course effectiveness and learning outcomes, propose new course offerings, and review classroom supply inventories to inform future purchasing
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of 5 years of teaching and/or academic leadership experience
- Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design and instructional coaching
- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across faculty, administrators, and program staff
- Master’s degree in education, curriculum & instruction, educational leadership, or related field preferred
- Prior experience with middle school students (grades 7-8), independent schools, enrichment programs, or summer academic settings preferred
REQUIRED DATES AND COMPENSATION
The Dean of Academics is required to work both Summer Scholars Sessions in addition to pre-program prep between October and June.
- Program Staff Training: Week of June 21
- Session 1: June 27, 2027 – July 9, 2027
- Session 2: July 11, 2027 – July 23, 2027
The compensation for this role is $9,500