Head of Junior School
Ashbury College (Canada)

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Head of Junior School

Ashbury College is a leading not-for-profit independent day and boarding school for students in grades 4 to 12 located in Canada’s capital on the traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinàbe Algonquin Nation. We serve a diverse community of over 60 nationalities from around the National Capital Region, the diplomatic sector, and international and domestic boarding students. Our commitment to diversity makes us a vibrant and inclusive community.

We aim to inspire students in a dynamic learning environment to become intellectually curious, compassionate, and responsible global citizens. Our strategic direction is centered on the highest standards in teaching and learning, whole student development and wellness, access and inclusion in our pluralistic community, community engagement, and resource stewardship for long-term sustainability. 

Ashbury College is seeking a Head of Junior School to lead a team of creative faculty and staff, ensuring that each student enjoys learning and growing through Asbury College. With overall responsibility for the delivery of our academic and personal development programs to 195 students in grades 4 – 8, you will champion the school’s themes of Honesty, Courage, and Kindness.

Reporting to the Head of School, the Head of Junior School maintains a positive, enjoyable, and safe learning environment and ensures the delivery of an enriched academic program. Pedagogical leadership, school scheduling, promoting collaboration amongst faculty, and ensuring that each student experiences Ashbury’s dynamic school life are all essential expectations for the position. Knowledge of current and emerging teaching methodologies and technology-enabled teaching models and systems, as well as subject matter expertise in at least one academic discipline, are required.

As a member of the school’s leadership team, the Head of Junior School is integral to meeting Ashbury’s strategic objectives, including supporting our pluralism goals. As the successful candidate, your professionalism is defined by exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, organizational effectiveness, experience with staffing, and proactive leadership in upholding standards and expectations within junior and intermediate grades. Your experience ideally includes close collaboration with senior school leaders to ensure students’ successful transition to grade 9 and beyond. You embrace the full school life and enjoy leading and participating in significant school events.

Your education and qualifications include an advanced degree, recognized valid teaching certification, and progressive teaching and administrative experience in international, independent, and/or public-school systems, with a specialization in junior grades. Your advanced degrees and administration certification may include an M.Ed., Ontario Principal, IB, and/or CAIS certification. Ontario College of Teachers certification, or eligibility for certification, is required.

Pluralistic leadership, developed through training, skills, and/or lived experience, is essential. Fluency in French and/or other languages is an asset. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals who are members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity. If we contact you about an employment opportunity and you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

Ashbury College offers competitive compensation and a group health and pension benefits package—including OTPP membership—and we will work with you to provide opportunities for continuous professional growth.

This appointment is effective in early August 2025.

If you are interested in this position, please forward your resume, including any applicable links to e-portfolios, a one-page cover letter, and a brief introductory video that speaks to your leadership style in a junior school context. The video must be submitted using a private YouTube or Vimeo link and is not to exceed 120 seconds. Applications are accepted by email only and sent to headofjuniorschool@ashbury.ca. The application deadline is October 15, 2024, with first-round interviews to be held in early November 2024.

Note that must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of your application (e.g., Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Work Permit Holder, etc.)

Should you have any questions about this position, please email hr@ashbury.ca. You are encouraged to visit us at ashbury.ca to learn more about our world-class programs.