Posted: 23-Oct-25
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Type: Contract
Required Education:
Upper School Director
The Summit Country Day School
The Summit Country Day School, a Catholic and Independent school located minutes
from downtown Cincinnati on the very property of its founding in 1890, is seeking an
experienced, energetic and innovative Upper School Director, with an expected start
date of July 1, 2026. The Summit’s Upper School program has been ranked number
one in the state of Ohio for eight consecutive years, due in large part to the talented
and dedicated faculty, staff and administrative teams who work together to execute
the school’s dynamic and forward-thinking vision.
Mission Statement
The Summit Country Day School is a Catholic and Independent school rooted in the
Hallmarks of The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Learning Communities. Our mission
is challenge every student, faculty and staff member to share fully the gifts that have
been given to them by God; to grow in grace and wisdom; to develop spiritually,
academically, physically, socially and artistically; and to become leaders of character
who value and improve the world they inherit.
Vision
The Summit Country Day School strives to develop leaders of character across five
pillars: spiritual, academic, physical, social and artistic. We accomplish this through
the seven Hallmarks, which are the essential characteristics, values and activies of a
Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community. As an Independent school that answers
to a Board of Trustees, Summit has the freedom to design programs and experiences
that surpass state mandates
The Opportunity
As a key member of The Summit’s Senior Leadership Team and the Educational Team,
the Upper School Director will step into a role that is rich in opportunity for creating a
vibrant Upper School learning community with clear and compelling expectations for
students, faculty and staff.
Per the Summit’s most recently approved Strategic Plan, the Upper School Director
will work collaboratively with faculty and staff to thoughtfully transition the traditional
Upper School program into one that is more highly interactive, project-based, and
focused on student centered action learning without diminishing the academic rigor
and success of the existing program.
Some of the Director’s most significant opportunities include:
- Inspiring and supporting curricular growth and technological innovation to more
fully prepare students to impact our world beyond the classroom. - Refining the administrative structure within the Upper School to best serve both
the division and The Summit as an all-school community. - Expanding community, corporate and university engagement and partnerships to
support and further develop Centers of Excellence within the school. - Ensuring that The Summit is the school of choice for educational professionals
because of its focus on leadership, wellness and professional development. - Re-affirming the school’s open, welcoming and respectful invitation to all
members of the school community, regardless of faith tradition and culture, to full
participation and partnership in the school’s mission, commitment to the Five
Pillars and service.
Qualifications and Expertise
Candidates meeting the following criteria will receive the most serious consideration
for this position:
- Previous upper division head or high school principal experience, preferably in a
pre-K through 12 environment. - Master’s Degree required.
- Proven ability to lead and manage change, including driving adoption across
teams. - Experience contributing to or leading the development and implementation of
strategic plans. - Brings an innovative mindset and track record of introduing creative solutions to
complex challenges. - Demonstrates the ability to align personally and professionally with the faith and
values of the school community.
Personal Attributes
- A genuine and visible warmth of personality; demonstrates a high level of
emotional intelligence. - An expressive and articulate communication style that reflects transparency and
accountability, with listening as a foundational value. - A distributive style of leadership that supports, empowers, appreciates and
develops the leadership potential of all colleagues within the school community. - An open-mindedness and collaborative spirit that informs and invites
stakeholders throughout the school in engaging in the process of innovation. - A growth mindset appreciating the assets already in place while identifying what
additional resources and progress that will be necessary for growth. - Comfortable reflecting a strong sense of personal faith and integrity, and serving
as a role model for others, including students and adults, in the school
community
To Apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following for consideration:
- A comprehensive resume
- Cover letter expressing interest
- Five (5) professional references with current email address and phone numbers
All materials should be submitted to:
Mikayla Trinkley, SHRM-CP
Human Resources Director
trinkley_m@summitcds.org
513.871.4700 ext 277