Head of Lower School

St. Mary Academy – Bay View seeks a mission-driven instructional and community leader to serve as Head of Lower School (Pre-K through Grade 5). This role advances the Mercy values of hospitality, service, justice, and dignity while nurturing a vibrant learning environment for our youngest students. Reporting to the Associate Head of School for Academics and working in close partnership with the Associate Head of School for Student Experience, the Head of Lower School provides daily leadership, supervision, and coordination of the PK–5 program. The Head of Lower School ensures that students experience a nurturing, mission-centered, and academically strong environment that supports both intellectual growth and personal development. The Head of Lower School cultivates a cohesive culture of belonging, strong instructional practice, and meaningful community engagement among students, faculty, and families. In alignment with the Academy’s strategic priorities, the role supports faculty growth, promotes student well-being, and helps advance the mission and values that guide the Bay View community.

Our School

St. Mary Academy – Bay View is an all-girls, independent, Mercy Catholic school located in Riverside, Rhode Island, serving a diverse population of girls from Pre-K through Grade 12. A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Education, St. Mary Academy – Bay View fosters academic excellence in an innovative and creative learning environment. For more than 150 years, Bay View has empowered each student to be a confident, independent, compassionate, and socially conscious faith-filled young woman.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and sustain a Mercy-inspired school culture rooted in respect, compassion, inclusion, and joy for students, families, and faculty;
• Serve as the primary culture leader for the Lower School, ensuring consistent expectations for student behavior and fostering a positive school climate;
• Develop and implement strategies to promote a culture of belonging, strong instructional practice, and meaningful community engagement among students, faculty, and families;
• Collaborate with the Associate Head of School for Academics and the Associate Head of School for Student Experience to advance the mission and values of the Bay View community;
• Support faculty growth and development, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement;
• Promote student well-being and success, ensuring that students experience a nurturing and academically strong environment that supports both intellectual growth and personal development.

• Master’s degree in Education or related field;
• Proven experience in educational leadership, preferably in a Catholic or independent school setting;
• Strong understanding of the Mercy values and commitment to advancing the mission and values of the Bay View community;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and faculty;
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a leadership team, with a focus on advancing the mission and values of the Bay View community;
• Strong instructional leadership skills, with a focus on promoting a culture of strong instructional practice and meaningful community engagement;
• Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions to drive student success and school improvement;
• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to navigate complex issues and promote a positive school climate.