The Pathfinder School is seeking a visionary and dynamic Head of School to lead our community into its next chapter, beginning July 1, 2026. The Head of School serves as the educational and community leader responsible for advancing a mission rooted in intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and responsible citizenship. Grounded in a progressive, whole-child philosophy, the Head ensures that each student is met where they are, honoring individual learning styles, developmental readiness, and the school’s commitment to experiential learning across all disciplines. 

As the steward of Pathfinder’s cooperative community of students, families, and educators, the Head of School cultivates a learning environment that integrates the arts, embraces the natural world, and champions cooperation over competition. The Head supports a broad, adaptive curriculum that encourages students to take ownership of their learning while fostering a culture of safety, respect, and joyful exploration. Ultimately, the Head of School upholds and enhances the values of individuality, community, and educational excellence that define The Pathfinder School. 

https://www.thepathfinderschool.org/head-of-school-search

Key Responsibilities 

- Uphold and advance the mission, philosophy, and policies of the School in alignment with the Board of Trustees. 

- Lead, hire, support, and evaluate faculty and staff while fostering a positive, professional, and collaborative school culture. 

- Oversee academic and co-curricular programs, student life and discipline, and all extended programs, including Summer Camp and Extended Day. 

- Manage admissions, marketing, fundraising, community relations, and other external operations to strengthen and grow the School. 

- Ensure sound financial stewardship, effective resource management, and the care and maintenance of campus facilities and grounds. 

- Assess school operations and program effectiveness, providing regular reporting and strategic guidance to the Board; serve as a non-voting ex-officio member of the Board and its committees. 

About The Pathfinder School

Established in 1972, The Pathfinder School is a non-sectarian independent day school, which enrolls 110 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Located just north of Traverse City, Michigan on a 22-acre wooded campus nestled between the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay and Cedar Lake, the school provides a natural workshop for project-based and experiential learning both in and out of the classroom. Pathfinder is characterized by its warm and caring atmosphere, small classes and a highly skilled and dedicated instructional staff. The school is committed to engaged, relevant and active learning, the pursuit of academic and creative excellence and a fundamental respect for the integrity and diversity of children. The Pathfinder School serves the Grand Traverse area as an ISACS accredited independent elementary and middle school.

Connections working at The Pathfinder School