St. Mary Academy - Bay View
Head of Lower School
Search led by IndySchool Consultancy (ISC)

About St. Mary Academy - Bay View. St. Mary Academy - Bay View is an independent, Mercy Catholic, college preparatory school for girls serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 in Riverside, Rhode Island. Founded in 1874 by the Sisters of Mercy, Bay View is rooted in a mission to educate young women to be intellectually curious, spiritually grounded, and socially responsible leaders. The school serves approximately 400 students on a unified campus and is known for its Mercy values, all-girls environment, close-knit community, and commitment to educating the whole child. Position Overview. St. Mary Academy - Bay View seeks a warm, relational, mission-driven Head of Lower School, a divisional leadership role responsible for the instructional program, student experience, faculty support, and daily operations of the Lower School. Reporting to the Associate Head of School for Academics and working closely with the Associate Head for Student Experience, this leader will help shape a cohesive Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5 experience during a period of thoughtful organizational transition. The Head of Lower School will play a central role in strengthening teaching and learning, supporting faculty growth, refining student support systems, and building strong partnerships with families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and sustain a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned Lower School culture
• Oversee teaching and learning, including curriculum implementation and instructional quality
• Conduct teacher observations and provide meaningful feedback to support professional growth
• Partner with student support services to address academic and social-emotional needs
• Communicate proactively with families and build strong home-school partnerships
• Manage daily operations including schedules, staffing, events, and divisional routines
• Support admissions efforts and serve as a visible ambassador for Bay View

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will:

• Bring experience in elementary school leadership, with a master’s degree in education or educational leadership preferred
• Understand child development, whole-child learning, and developmentally appropriate instructional practice
• Demonstrate warmth, emotional intelligence, and strong communication with students, families, and faculty
• Support faculty growth through clear expectations, coaching, collaboration, and professional feedback
• Balance relational leadership with clear decision-making, organization, and follow-through
• Model a deep commitment to Mercy values, mission-driven education, and the dignity and growth of every child
  
  Application Process & Timeline
  Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis
  Opportunity Statement: https://doc.storydoc.com/EFMTq8
  Apply Now: https://tinyurl.com/3uv3yyfw

ISC Consultants:
Tim Viands (tim@indyschoolconsultancy.com)
Chris Brueningsen (chris@indyschoolconsultancy.com)
Candidates are asked not to contact the school directly.

Candidates are asked not to contact the school directly.

About St. Mary Academy - Bay View

St. Mary Academy - Bay View is an independent, Catholic school serving a diverse population of girls from pre-school through grade twelve. In the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, we foster academic excellence in an innovative and creative learning environment. We are committed to empowering each student to be a confident, independent, compassionate and socially conscious young woman who fully lives her faith.

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