Granada Preparatory School, Head of School

Granada Preparatory School (GPS) is seeking a Head of School, with responsibilities to begin on or after July 1, 2025.

The Head of School serves as the chief executive officer of the school, responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and day-to-day management of the school. This role ensures the academic excellence, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability of the school while fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.

GPS is located in Northridge, California, a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles.  Since opening in August 2020, GPS has provided an exceptional educational experience grounded in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, a global leader in 21st-century learning.  We offer students daily opportunities to engage in a rigorous, inquiry-based academic curriculum designed to prepare them for future success. Governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees, GPS is a premier college-preparatory school, serving students from preschool through 8th grade with an enrollment of 150 students and 34 teaching and administrative staff members. Graduates are prepared for admission to very selective secondary schools and later matriculate into colleges/universities of similar reputation.

Brief History

Granada Preparatory School is the result of the union of two outstanding schools in the San Fernando Valley. Chatsworth Hills Academy (CHA) has been educating students from Preschool to 8th Grade since 1977 and First Presbyterian Preparatory School which opened in 1964 for Preschool through 5th grade. In June of 2017, CHA was authorized as an International Baccalaureate School for the Primary Years Program (PYP). That was followed by the Middle Years Program (MYP) authorization in 2020 which made CHA the first school in the San Fernando Valley offering the IB program for students in Preschool through 8th grade. In the summer of 2020, CHA moved off of the Chatsworth campus to the campus of First Presbyterian in Granada Hills and became Granada Preparatory School.

GPS combines the strengths of its founding schools, with a common vision that our students will be kind, creative, compassionate, life-long learners inspired to take shared guardianship of the planet and create a better world. GPS seeks to encourage students’ personal development and academic achievement with the goal of becoming thoughtful leaders in society and the world.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a clear strategic vision aligned with the school’s mission and values focusing on expanding enrollment, enhancing enrichment programs, and strengthening GPS’s competitive presence in the local education landscape.
• Inspire and lead faculty, staff, students, and parents toward shared goals.

Academic Oversight

• Ensure the delivery of a rigorous and relevant curriculum.
• Support faculty development through professional learning and performance evaluations.
• Monitor student achievement and implement strategies for improvement.

Operations & Administration

• Oversee daily operations, including scheduling, facilities, and compliance with regulations.
• Manage the school’s budget, financial planning, and resource allocation.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

Community Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the school.
• Build strong relationships with parents, alumni, donors, and the broader community.
• Foster a welcoming and inclusive school environment.

Governance & Reporting

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees on strategic initiatives.
• Provide regular updates on school performance, finances, and key initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and accreditation requirements.

Position Description

The next Head of School should possess excellent professional experience and credentials that include a strong combination of some or all of the following:

• Experience serving as the head of school/principal of an institution, overseeing academic leadership, operational management, and strategic initiatives to drive institutional growth and excellence.
• Experience with increasing enrollment and building school awareness.
• Finance and budget experience.
• Administrative experience, including leadership experience with faculty.
• Experience working in an independent school setting.
• Experience working with parents and the community.
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Fundraising experience with active participation in development initiatives.
• Previous teaching experience.

The next Head of School should exhibit the following personal qualities:

• Team builder who inspires administrators, faculty and students.
• Collaborative leadership style.
• Ability to delegate and successfully lead a team of administrators and faculty.
• engaging and authentic individual who leads with flexibility, transparency, and the highest standards of integrity.
• Excellent communicator with superior oral communication skills.
• Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills.
• A naturally outgoing leader who can connect with and be responsive to all constituents.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field preferred
• Minimum of 5–10 years of educational leadership experience.
• Proven track record of effective school management and instructional leadership.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Attributes:

• Visionary leadership with a student-centered approach.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience with fundraising and community engagement.
• Ability to lead through change and foster innovation.
• Candidates with International Baccalaureate program experience are preferred, but not required.

Salary Range: $120,000-$160,000

To apply, interested candidates must provide a cover letter, resume, and references.  All inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications should be sent to gpsboard@gpsschool.org

https://gpsschool.org/