Director of Student Services

FT/PT:  FT beginning August 2021

Status: Exempt

Reports To: Assistant Head of School

The Orchard School
Founded in 1922, Orchard is an independent, non-sectarian, Progressive school for 500 students in preschool through the 8th grade. Orchard is committed to advance each student’s academic success, self-confidence, open-mindedness, ethical character, leadership, and love of learning. Located in north Indianapolis on a 43- acre wooded campus with a state-of-the-art facility, Orchard promises academic excellence through a well-rounded education, engaging the natural curiosity of students in an active, child-centered, and experiential learning environment.  We seek, and strive to maintain, a diverse and inclusive school community, and are committed to the principles that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the skills, knowledge and experiences a diverse workforce brings to our school.

The Position
Student support is an important part of the work we do with students at Orchard in educating the whole child, and a large part of that work is differentiated instruction, targeted skills development, and social-emotional support.  The Director of Student Services has oversight of Orchard’s learning support systems across our multi-age through eighth-grade program.  Working with Division Directors, the Assistant Head of School, and a team of six learning support specialists, the Director of Student Services will be the primary contact for both families and staff regarding all issues related to learning support, and will coordinate with teachers, families, and support providers to ensure that interventions and resources are targeted, measurable, and successful.  The Director of Student Services will be a member of the academic leadership team, reporting directly to the Assistant Head of School, and collaborating with Division Directors in our Early Childhood/Elementary School and Middle School programs, the Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Head of School.  The Director of Student Services will be key in helping us plan for the future of what student support will look like at The Orchard School.

This is a 10-month position that runs concurrent with the faculty instructional calendar.

Particular domains of responsibility include:

Coordinate, Manage, and Oversee Learning Support Services

• Review existing learning support policies and practices, identify strengths and weaknesses, and oversee both short and long term improvements in order to implement an effective pre-school through eighth-grade learning support program.
• Coordinate with learning support specialists and classroom teachers to develop and implement specific, targeted intervention programs to strengthen academic skills using both push-in and pull-out approaches.
• Develop and maintain the profiles and support plans of students in learning support, and coordinate with Division Directors, the Assistant Head of School, learning support specialists, classroom teachers, and families to ensure that they are up to date and successfully implemented.
• Maintain a referral list of outside service providers (tutors, occupational therapists, speech-language therapists, etc.), and assist families in finding outside services and coordinating them on campus as needed.
• Analyze data and use data to make informed decisions about future support services; track student progress with measurable goals including exit opportunities.
• Work with Division Directors and the Assistant Head of School to make specific recommendations for outside assessment or services as needed.

Instructional Support and Professional Development

• Coach faculty on instructional differentiation, including accommodations, modifications, and enrichment.
  Seek out professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, and lead internal professional development workshops proactively, and in response to current needs.
• Provide targeted training and professional development to staff on the social-emotional support of children and adolescents.
• Maintain active local and national networks amongst student support providers, educational leaders, and educational organizations.

Student and Family Support

• Regularly convene and facilitate meetings with staff and families for learning support services (e.g., intakes, review of psychoeducational testing results, coordinating with Washington Township Special Services, providing progress updates, conducting internal staffing meetings, etc.).
• Oversee occasional student support groups as needed around topics such as divorce, or managing peer conflict.
• Serve as a resource for families who are seeking additional support providers, or research-based guidance for child and adolescent development.

Other Responsibilities

• In support of the admissions process, make recommendations about conditional contracts for new or returning students as needed.
• Attend and present at open houses and school events to educate our community about student support at Orchard.

Required Qualifications and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred
  Demonstrated success in leading student support teams in a school setting
• Training and experience in translating psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations into clear student support plans that articulate desired outcomes, supported by longitudinal data
• Demonstrated experience implementing school-wide systems that are focused on student growth
• Exceptional organization and coordination skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with teachers, administrators, families, and students
• Ability to lead a group to consensus
• Passion for the mission and the vision of The Orchard School
• Healthy sense of humor

Preferred Qualifications and Attributes

• Master’s Degree
• Licensure as a Director of Exceptional Needs or School Psychologist

Benefits

The Orchard School values our employees and offers a total compensation package designed to attract and retain talented individuals who make our school successful. Benefits include:

• 11 paid personal days
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid long- and short-term disability
• Other benefits

Application Process

Candidates should apply by sending a resume and cover letter to hr@orchard.org by March 12th, 2021.  Please place “Student Services” in the email subject line.

Orchard values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin in the administration of its admission, tuition assistance, or employment determination.

The Orchard School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

For more information about The Orchard School, please visit: www.orchard.org.