Middle School Principal

Description

Friends Central School Overview

Friends Central School is an independent coeducational Quaker day school founded in 1845 and serving approximately 880 students in Nursery through grade 12. Located in the Philadelphia suburbs the School has two campuses. The Middle & Upper Schools are located just outside of West Philadelphia in Wynnewood and the Lower School is on our Old Gulph Road campus in the heart of Wynnewood. The exceptional faculty at Friends Central offers a curriculum that cultivates the intellectual spiritual and ethical growth of our students. Our pedagogy is grounded in continuing revelation reflection integrity and a willingness to accept responsibility. From Nursery to grade 12 our students participate in a process designed to foster creative critical and flexible thinking along with compassion. As they grow from playful children into skilled self-possessed teenagers they remain intellectually curious and engaged thinkers. Friends Central prepares graduates to succeed in college and in life.

Middle School Principal

The Middle School Principal is a 12-month employee who reports to the Associate Head of School and works in partnership with the Head of School. The Middle School Principal is a member of the senior administrative leadership team and is responsible for all aspects of the academic and student experience for grades 6 through 8. This role requires a thoughtful collaborative and organized leader who understands the unique developmental needs of middle school students and who can inspire faculty support families and sustain a joyful engaging learning environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership & School Culture

• Serve as a member of the senior administrative team working closely with the Head of School Associate Head of School and division leaders across the School.
• Articulate and advance a clear compelling vision for the Middle School program grounded in Friends Centrals mission and Quaker values.
• Foster a supportive inclusive and nurturing environment that honors student voice promotes belonging and encourages intellectual risk-taking.
• Reflect the Middle School experience to senior leadership and when appropriate to the Board of Trustees.

Faculty Leadership & Development

• Provide vision and leadership for the development and implementation of the Middle School curriculum and program.
• Observe supervise mentor and evaluate faculty through regular classroom visits feedback and the Schools formal evaluation process.
• Support faculty growth through meaningful professional development and collaborative learning opportunities.
• Facilitate mentorship and onboarding of new Middle School faculty and support their successful integration into the community.
• Coordinate and supervise the hiring of Middle School faculty in partnership with the Assistant Middle School Principal Human Resources and other administrators.
• Oversee faculty staffing and manage departmental and classroom budgeting within the Middle School.
  

Students & Student Support

• Work closely with classroom teachers grade-level leaders and the Student Success & Wellbeing department to ensure each students academic social and emotional growth.
• Support the development of grading and reporting practices that clearly and thoughtfully communicate student progress.
• Communicate behavior expectations guidelines and shared community values to students in developmentally appropriate ways.
• Serve as a visible presence in the life of the Middle School supporting student activities community events and daily school life.
• Act as a decision-maker in matters related to student discipline and student programming.
  

Parent & Caregiver Partnership

• Build and sustain strong trusting relationships with parents/caregivers through regular communication meetings and community gatherings.
• Serve as a resource for families with questions about the Middle School academic program student development and school culture.
• Partner with families to support student growth and foster belonging and connection to the community.
• Support the transition of new families into the Middle School and the broader Friends Central community

Enrollment Management & Advancement

• Articulate the value and vision of the Middle School program to prospective families.
• Collaborate with the Director of Enrollment Management and the Admissions team on recruitment interviews and retention efforts.
• Review applicant materials.
• Cultivate relationships with current and incoming families to support enrollment stability and long-term engagement.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in an academic subject field or in education.
• At least 5-7 years of experience as a teacher and leader at the middle school level
• Experience with faculty leadership supervision and mentorship.
• Commitment to Quaker values and an appreciation for Quaker education.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to work collaboratively with students families faculty and administrators.
• Excellent organizational and logistical skills with a track record of managing complex daily operations schedules and school-wide events smoothly.
• Strategic vision and forward-thinking perspective to support Middle School growth in alignment with the mission of the school.
• Thoughtful reflective leadership style with a sense of humor warmth and joy in working with all constituencies.

Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for office machines and supply operation including but not limited to writing and using electronic devices such as a computer phone calculator copy machine fax machine and printers. Stooping bending reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

To apply please visit the Employment Opportunities page of our website for our online application. The application will ask for a resume cover letter and three professional references. Completed applications must be received no later than November 9 2026.

Friends Central School seeks candidates with a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning community who will address issues of diversity as well as enhance the Philosophy of Inclusivity and Awareness articulated in our Diversity Statement .