Upper School Academic Dean

Company: The Pennington School
Location: Pennington
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description The Pennington School is seeking a collaborative and experienced Upper School Academic Dean starting on July 1, 2026. Reporting to the Head of Upper School, the Upper School Academic Dean provides leadership and oversight for the academic program for Grades 9 through 12 and plays a key role in ensuring academic excellence, consistency, and alignment with the School's mission. The Pennington School is an independent, coeducational boarding and day school serving students in Grades 6 through 12. Pennington is committed to developing individual excellence in all of its students and fostering a supportive, inclusive, and mission-driven community. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Collaborate with the Head of Upper School to provide oversight of the Upper School academic program, including curriculum development and implementation, in partnership with the Head of Middle School, Department Chairs, the Director of the Cervone Center for Learning, and other academic leaders Supervise the Registrar and oversee related academic records functions, including student records, transcripts, grading systems, scheduling data, course enrollment, and compliance with graduation and reporting requirements, ensuring the accuracy and maintenance of all records Prepare and maintain the master School schedule in collaboration with the Registrar, Department Chairs, Head of Middle School, Associate Director of the Cervone Center for Learning, and Scheduler, including assigning students and teachers to courses and other academic obligations Oversee Upper School academic advising, review student course requests, and manage the registration process for incoming Upper School students. Monitor and support student academic progress and records, including grading, GPA calculation, report cards, honors and awards, academic integrity matters, progress reports, course changes (add/drop and withdrawals), study away programs, medical leaves, health-related accommodations, and compliance with graduation requirements Embrace student-centered teaching practices and backward design in curriculum planning Develop individual excellence in every student, moving the student toward personal and collective goals in skills, habits of mind, and understanding Encourage critical, collaborative, and independent thinking during problem-solving on assignments, projects, tests, and other graded assessments Provide academic guidance to students and ensure consistent standards and practices are used by faculty to measure and report student achievement Coordinate and manage academic schedules and events, including exams, field trips, planned absences, delayed openings, special schedules, and other calendar-based academic needs Serve as the primary contact and advisor for online courses and external academic programs Oversee the annual production of the Upper School course catalog Collaborate with Department Chairs and the Head of Upper School to support departmental planning and curricular alignment Collaborate with the Office of College Counseling to ensure academic policies, course offerings, and student programming align with college counseling timelines, expectations, and institutional goals. Ensure NCAA eligibility and compliance for student-athletes Manage the logistics, scheduling, and faculty coordination for Upper School Back-to-School Night Support and advance the School's mission, values, and culture Perform other duties as assigned Qualifications: Graduate degree required; master's in education or school leadership preferred Ten years of combined teaching and school administration experience, such as serving as a department chair, program director, or school leadership role A strong understanding of the structure and academic practices of independent schools Well-organized; possesses strong attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills Familiarity with student information systems and learning management software, e.g., Veracross, Schoology Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment Desire to be an active member of a community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion Interest in a boarding school environment Ability to work with a variety of learning styles A positive attitude, a growth mindset, and a sense of humor Commitment to continued professional development This is a full-time, exempt position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. This position is an exempt role working on campus, Monday through Friday, with additional hours required as needed. Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and salary requirements at https://pennington.isolvedhire.com The minimum annual salary for this position is $100,000. The actual offer will be commensurate with skills and experience. The Pennington School offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, as well as life, short-term, and long-term disability programs, and a 403(b) retirement plan. This position is located at our 55-acre campus in Pennington, NJ. The ability to walk up and down stairs is required. Not all buildings on campus have elevators. The Pennington School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Keywords: The Pennington School, Reading , Upper School Academic Dean, Administration, Clerical , Pennington, Pennsylvania