Preschool – 8th, Coed, Day

Enrollment: 200

Independent School

Start date: 7/1/2024

Head of School Opportunity Statement:

The Baker Demonstration School is metro Chicago’s independent school for students in Preschool through 8th grade whose parents/guardians are seeking a Progressive education in a diverse community where opportunities abound and meaningful relationships inspire transformative learning. Its suburban Wilmette, IL  campus supports the delivery of an exceptional academic, social and artistic experience. Founded in 1918, Baker was established to provide a high-quality, innovative education for children in preschool through 8th grade. For its first 87 years, Baker was the lab school for the teacher college at National Louis University and today continues to ensure academic excellence through their dynamic, experience-based curriculum that responds to the unique needs and strengths of each and every child.

Search Calendar:

The search is predicted to conclude in early Fall 2023. Interested candidates should submit a complete dossier to André Withers or Nat Conard. Comprehensive opportunity statement forthcoming.

Application Materials Requested:

Letter of interest to the Search Committee
Leadership Philosophy
Resume
Five references with email and phone contact
EC Candidate Summary (request from search consultant to complete dossier)
A background disclosure form will be required to complete one’s dossier

Direct inquiries, applications, and nominations to: Andre’ Withers, EC Partner, awithers@educatorscollaborative.com or Nat Conard, EC, Partner nconard@educatorscollaborative.com

Baker Demonstration School, a Progressive school of 200 students Pre-K to 8, seeks a transformational Head of School for July 1, 2024. Situated in vibrant Wilmette, IL adjacent to Northwestern University and a short distance from downtown Chicago, Baker Demonstration School is metro Chicago’s independent school for students in Preschool through 8th grade whose parents/guardians are seeking a progressive, inquiry-based education in a diverse community.

Founded in 1918, Baker was established to provide a high-quality, innovative education for children in preschool through 8th grade. For its first 87 years, Baker was the lab school for the teacher college at National Louis University and today continues to ensure academic excellence through their dynamic, experience-based curriculum that responds to the unique needs and strengths of each and every child.

Notably, Baker stands in its Progressive pedagogy by 1. ) inviting children to take the wheel, harness their innate love of learning and drive the learning process as we guide them as co-learners toward academic goals, 2.) having teachers who are committed to the challenge of teaching in many different styles, creatively offering a multitude of experiences to help every child deepen their understanding 3.) actively encouraging children to develop empathy for one another and for the community and world around them, and to use empathy as a driver to solve real-world problems and 4.) intentionally pulling from 25 zip codes in the Chicagoland area, supporting 26% of their students who are multilingual and overall, being a community that is committed to antiracism and social justice.

The next Head of School at Baker will be an experienced, proven independent school leader with a deep understanding of progressive education and the benefits and complexities of a PreK-8 educational environment. A person of great integrity and an excellent communicator and active listener, the next Head will be a friendly, warm, and genuine collaborator and team builder. As well, they will be a tremendous internal and external connector, an inspirational leader as well as a tactical Director and a strategic thinker.

Baker Demonstration School has retained Educators Collaborative to support their efforts to identify the next Head of School. The search is predicted to conclude in early Fall 2023.

For more information on the school and the opportunity, please view the position posting on the Educators Collaborative website.

All inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications (resumes and letters of interest) should be sent electronically and in confidence to:

André Withers, Partner

awithers@educatorscollaborative.com

or

Nat Conard, Partner

nconard@educatorscollaborative.com