About Shady Hill School: 

Since 1915, Shady Hill, a school of approximately 530 students (PreK - Grade 8) and 90+ faculty, has been a leader in progressive education. Shady Hill is a deeply mission-driven school.  We seek to develop independent, joyful and curious learners who respect their own accomplishments and those of others. We strive to be a community whose values are strong and whose teachers are unafraid to engage students in important questions. The school’s program allows children to explore their worlds and test their powers.  As a school with a historical and contemporary commitment to social justice, we believe that an inclusive and equitable community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire individuals who demonstrate a mindset and skill set that prioritizes cultural competence, equity, and justice in their practice with students and in their work with colleagues.

About the position:

Shady Hill School is seeking a 1 year Assistant Director of Admission to join our team for the 2024-2025 school year. The Assistant Director of Admission is an integral part of the Admission Office team with shared responsibilities for all the Office’s activities during the year. The Admission Office welcomes hundreds of families every year during the Admission season, processes applications for these families, and is the first and most extensive point of contact for many people’s experience with Shady Hill. As a member of the admissions team, the Assistant Director will play a key role in the recruitment, selection, ongoing engagement, and success of a diverse student and family population as outlined by our Diversity Mission Statement. The Assistant Director’s duties include a wide array of tasks and responsibilities, including management of varying aspects of the Admission cycle. This is a full-time, salaried, 12 month, 1 year position for the 2024-2025 school year (ending summer 2025), but there may be a possibility of remaining beyond 1 year, depending on other department staffing. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Coordinating, managing, and executing student and parent interviews and visits, virtually and in-person
• Assisting in planning and managing Lower School and Middle School Open Houses and other admission related events, including coordinating staffing with Division Heads, coordinating with teachers to create informational and assessment materials, coordinating student and parent ambassadors, and managing all feedback and data from events
• Traveling locally to promote Shady Hill and recruit prospective families, including attending and representing Shady Hill at school fairs, diversity fairs, and other outreach events, in-person and virtually
• Reviewing and evaluating student applications; communicating with various constituents about admission processes and decisions
• Drafting and editing decision letters individually and collaboratively
• Supporting coordination of summer mailings to incoming students and families
• Creating student summaries to provide faculty with pertinent information about new students
• Assisting in managing our Summer Buddy, Student Ambassador, and Parent Ambassadors programs
• Reviewing and updating of the admission materials and website each year, including third-party webpages, such as Niche and Private School Review
• Developing a genuine understanding and appreciation of all facets of Shady Hill by participating in the daily life of the school through attending faculty/staff meetings, assemblies, convocations, sit-down meals, and engaging in other school supportive duties as assigned
• Other duties as assigned 

The Assistant Director of Admission will also share in community responsibilities such as supervising students during recess, lunch, arrival and dismissal.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational skills and follow through; ability to independently establish and manage multiple, and often competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records
• Excellent cultural competency and interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop positive, professional relationships with colleagues, students, and families
• Ability to consistently provide a high level of customer service and responsiveness
• Ability to work towards big-picture goals by coordinating and following through with small details independently and as part of a team
• Ability and commitment to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and discretion while maintaining a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to be mobile in a multi-story building and attend meetings throughout campus, as well as spend extended periods of time sitting, standing, and working at the computer
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Zoom, and Google applications as well as the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new programs
• Successful candidates will be flexible and collaborative with strong problem solving skills

Qualifications:

•  At least 3 years of admission or other related experience in independent schools required
• Experience working with families with various backgrounds preferred
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience with database software required, Ravenna and Blackbaud preferred
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Other Requirements:

• Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week Monday – Friday, with the ability and commitment to regularly work evenings and weekends as necessary (required working hours are significantly seasonally variable)
• This role is required to participate in a multi-day diversity, equity, and inclusion training once every three (3) years

How to apply: Please send a pdf including a cover letter, resume, and list of 3 professional references (references will not be contacted without your permission) to: apply@shs.org. Please be sure to include “Assistant Director of Admission” in the subject line of the email. 

Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employees must be authorized to work in the USA. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. 

COVID 19 Protocols: All Shady Hill employees are required to provide proof of vaccination and to observe campus covid protocols. All health and safety protocols are subject to change based on state, local and CDC guidelines and at the discretion of the Health and Safety Team.

About Shady Hill School

For over 100 years, Shady Hill has been a leader in progressive elementary and middle school education and teacher training. The year-long central subject study, which emphasizes strong content, the use of primary sources, acquisition of essential skills, and self-discovery, forms the core of our curriculum. As a diverse school, we believe that a varied and inclusive community is an educational and moral imperative that empowers us all. Therefore, we seek to hire faculty and staff who share our vision. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package. Shady Hill is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information on Shady Hill please visit us at www.shs.org. Shady Hill offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance plans, a school-matched retirement plan and paid time off.

Connections working at Shady Hill School