Posted: 12-Nov-25
Location: Locust Valley, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: $250,000
Overview
Friends Academy (FA), a pre-K-12 co-ed day school founded in 1876, has a long and distinguished history and is known as one of New York’s finest schools. Offering a first-rate academic program, competitive athletics, and a rich offering of arts, it is also one where the foundation of its Quaker history and principles supports all areas of school life.
Friends Academy is confident in both its identity and mission: a school shaped by and based on Quaker values, set on a beautiful campus, welcoming of people of all backgrounds, staffed by passionate and caring educators, supported by sound financial foundation, sought after in a robust admissions market – and providing a rigorous college preparatory education and matriculating graduates to great universities and colleges. Its mission – “Guided by our Quaker principles, Friends Academy educates our students to discover and develop the best of who they are and who they become” – is lived out every day and on every corner of campus and embraced by all. This is a holistic education, at once intellectual, moral and spiritual; and it is with good reason that many observe, “You can recognize an FA graduate. They are good people.”
Friends Academy is seeking a Lower and Middle School Principal to start on July 1, 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a leadership team of dedicated education professionals who are committed to fostering a cohesive experience for both colleagues and parents, as well as ensuring student success.
Empowering Community Connections and Support Systems
- Guide and support the faculty in implementing curriculum, classroom management, and best practice teaching methods while fostering a professional work environment
- Cultivate the professional growth of the faculty and staff through coaching, evaluation, and support in goal-setting
- Collaborate with the Admissions Office to recruit, enroll, and retain students who align with the mission
Enhancing Influence and Building Reputation
- Lead the delivery and development of an ambitious curricular program that challenges and supports students in both divisions
- Serve as a model of professional growth through participation in - and leadership of - seminars, workshops, and other activities that enhance and expand the scope of their leadership work.
- Partner with our parent representatives to build community and amplify the student experience
Creating a Joyful Community and a Positive Environment
- Partner with the faculty and support staff to ensure that the Lower and Middle Schools’ program and culture optimally support students’ academic achievement, engagement, well being, and sense of belonging.
- Continue to elevate and cultivate a culture of high standards and accountability for students and faculty and promote a positive school environment.
- Work closely with new families to welcome them into the school community and enhance their understanding of the school’s culture.
- Engage the whole community and participate in activities that contribute to the life of the school.
Qualifications, Personal Attributes & Professional Qualifications
- An experienced, proven and confident leader who has shown the ability to execute strategy and manage all facets of a complex multi-division organization – that is, a strong chief executive.
- A genuine eagerness to embrace Quaker principles as keys to understanding, building and strengthening community and school excellence – that is, a leader who embodies the core values of the school.
- An effective, powerful and persuasive communicator, in speech and print, and someone who can effectively articulate the uniqueness of the Friends Academy experience – that is, an inspiring storyteller.
- A leadership style that includes deep listening to many voices and the ability to make decisions when needed.
- A passion for diversity – that is, a steward of culture whose alignment with Quaker values unites a welcoming, inclusive and equitable community that “sees the light” in each member. ? The ability to write and speak clearly and inspiringly to all stakeholder groups: parents, students, colleagues, members of the Board of Trustees, and a host of community partners. ? Demonstrated success in leading change and innovation within a school context.
- A visible presence in each division, warm and compassionate approach, along with an understanding of the various facets of the student journey.
- A proven ability to articulate larger vision and strategic priorities combined with the skills to administer and manage needed day-to-day systems and practices – that is, a leader who is comfortable in both “the balcony and the dance floor.”
- The ability to attract, hire, retain and grow talent – that is, a leader who enhances the school’s most valuable resource, its people.
- A passion for teaching and best practices in pedagogy and a deep interest in supporting the growth of faculty – that is, a leader who is fundamentally an educator.
- Proven experience in creating healthy institutional culture – that is, a leader who understands that school mission cannot be accomplished without a culture based on accountability, values, traditions and practices embraced by all.
Leadership Style: Friends Academy seeks a leader who:
- Can foster collaboration, create teams, and find consensus;
- Brings warmth, humility, and trust in all interactions and decision-making;
- Will set high standards, support community members as they seek excellence, and establish transparent ways to ensure accountability;
- Has the ability to understand complex problems and the courage to make the difficult decisions;
- Can effectively create and manage needed change even as they respect and value traditions and history;
- Can inspire others to embrace and follow a compelling vision.
Personal Qualities
- Goodness. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will model the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, service and stewardship.
- Deep and enthusiastic interest in the day-to-day work of the school and a love of engagement with faculty, staff, students and parents. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will be highly visible and constantly present.
- Strong interpersonal skills and high order emotional intelligence. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will connect easily and develop deep and meaningful relationships with all community members.
- Capacity to foster conversations, guided by the school’s Quaker values, among those with disparate views in order to find common ground – and where it cannot be found, to model and create effective listening, respect and acceptance. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will bring empathy, competence and confidence into challenging dialogue.
- Resilience, conviction, empathy, and optimism in the face of challenge and setback. Friends Academy is seeking a leader to whom the community will instinctively turn to during difficult times and find in that person inspiration, consistency and direction.
- Charisma, energy and enthusiasm. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will inspire all community members – second grader and senior, faculty and staff, trustee and graduate, parent and neighbor.
- Commitment. Friends Academy is seeking a leader who will sink deep roots in the school, be eager to lead for the long term, and excited at the prospect of leaving a powerful legacy.
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To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of five professional references to:
John P. Faubert, Director of Placement Services (Carney Sandoe & Associates )
Email: john.faubert@carneysandoe.com
Kim Peeples, Senior Consultant (Carney Sandoe & Associates )
Email: kim.peeples@carneysandoe.com
Please do not contact the school directly.