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Job description
Head of School – Montessori School Director
Location: Boston, MA Job Type: Full-time, year-round Schedule: Monday to Friday Pay: Starting at $85,000 per year Base Salary Range: $85,000–$95,000 per year Performance Bonus: Up to $10,000 annually, with quarterly payouts Work Location: In person
Role Overview
At Illuminate Montessori, the Head of School serves as the instructional, operational, and community leader of the school. The Head of School is responsible for creating a warm, high-quality Montessori environment where children are known, families feel connected, and staff are supported in their growth.
We are building a network of high-performing Montessori schools designed to redefine what excellent education looks like. We believe children thrive in environments that foster independence, confidence, and purpose, and we are committed to expanding access to high-fidelity Montessori programs across our communities.
This is a full-ownership leadership role. The Head of School is the leader of the campus and is responsible for driving enrollment growth, team performance, program excellence, operational quality, and financial success.
This role is ideal for an experienced, driven early childhood or school leader who is deeply committed to Montessori philosophy, values collaboration, leads with urgency and composure, communicates with professionalism, and embraces continuous growth.
Our Core Values in Action
At Illuminate Montessori, we live our values every day:
The Child Always Comes First We protect each child’s right to independence, dignity, and development at their own pace.
Commitment to Partnering with Families We believe education is strongest when school and home work together.
Be a Swan We lead with calm professionalism, even in challenging moments.
Embrace Growth We reflect, receive feedback openly, and commit to lifelong learning.
The Head of School Position
The Head of School is responsible for leading a thriving Montessori school community with ownership, accountability, and vision.
We are looking for a leader who has the talent, urgency, and perseverance to:
Build and lead a strong team
Create a thriving school community
Deliver an exceptional educational experience for every child
Drive enrollment growth and family retention
Maintain operational and licensing excellence
Support the financial health and long-term success of the campus
Minimum Hiring Requirements
Candidates must:
Meet all Massachusetts EEC requirements for Director (non-negotiable)
Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree
Have at least 3 years of school leadership experience , such as Director, Principal, Head of School, Program Director, or Administrative Leader
Complete and maintain all required EEC trainings, including but not limited to:
First Aid & CPR Certification
EEC Essentials 2.0 Certificate
Successfully pass all required background record checks, including BRC
Demonstrate strong organizational, operational, and people leadership skills
Demonstrate a proven ability to lead teams, drive results, and communicate effectively
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred candidates may also have:
Montessori experience or certification, such as AMI, AMS, or MACTE
Early childhood education leadership experience
Experience in admissions, enrollment growth, or school operations
Experience managing budgets, staffing models, labor efficiency, or campus-level performance goals
A background as a School Director, Program Director, Head of School, Principal, or Administrative Leader
Head of School Core Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Develop and execute a strategic plan for the campus
Build a culture aligned to mission, accountability, professionalism, and excellence
Lead with ownership, composure, urgency, and strong decision-making
Represent Illuminate Montessori’s mission, values, and standards across all areas of school life
Partner with organizational leadership to support school growth, quality, and long-term success
Lead a High-Quality Montessori School Community
Uphold a beautiful, calm, safe, and welcoming Montessori environment across the school
Ensure classrooms reflect strong Montessori practice, developmentally appropriate expectations, and consistent routines
Partner with Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Montessori Mentors to support classroom quality and continuous improvement
Promote a school culture rooted in respect, independence, collaboration, and joyful learning
Support staff in using observation, documentation, and reflection to guide each child’s growth
Team & Culture
Hire, develop, coach, and retain high-quality educators
Build a strong, collaborative staff culture rooted in professionalism, trust, accountability, and care
Coach teachers and school leaders toward strong performance and continuous improvement
Lead staff meetings, professional learning opportunities, and one‑on‑one check‑ins
Support onboarding, training, and retention of high-quality educators
Model calm leadership, reflective practice, and solution‑focused problem‑solving
Enrollment & Community Engagement
Drive enrollment growth and family retention
Lead tours and convert prospective families
Build a strong parent and community network
Represent Illuminate Montessori warmly and professionally to prospective and current families
Support enrollment conversations, community‑building efforts, and family engagement
Program Excellence
Ensure authentic Montessori implementation across classrooms
Maintain high standards of teaching, learning, care, and classroom quality
Deliver a consistent, high‑quality student experience
Support Montessori Mentors and classroom leaders in strengthening practice
Proactively problem‑solve student and classroom challenges through collaboration, observation, and professional reflection
Operations, Licensing & Financial Performance
Maintain compliance with all Massachusetts EEC licensing requirements and school policies
Ensure all staff files, child files, trainings, ratios, supervision practices, and health and safety systems are current and well‑maintained
Lead daily school operations with organization, consistency, and attention to detail
Manage the campus budget and support profitability
Maintain labor efficiency while ensuring appropriate coverage, safety, and program quality
Respond promptly and professionally to licensing, safety, staffing, operational, and family concerns
Maintain clear systems for communication, documentation, and follow‑through
Partner with Families
Build authentic, trusting relationships with families through consistent and respectful communication
Communicate regularly using Illuminate Montessori’s approved tools, including email, newsletters, photo‑sharing platforms, conferences, and other school communication systems
Meet with families individually as questions or concerns arise, approaching conversations with empathy, professionalism, and solution‑focused thinking
Support families in understanding Montessori philosophy, child development, classroom practices, and each child’s individual growth
Provide resources and parent education based on each child’s unique needs, goals, and development
Embrace Growth and Self‑Motivation
Actively participate in leadership meetings, professional learning sessions, and check‑ins with organizational leadership
Receive and thoughtfully implement feedback from supervisors, mentors, and colleagues
Engage in ongoing professional development
Reflect a growth mindset and commitment to excellence in Montessori leadership
Compensation & Benefits
Illuminate Montessori offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Base salary of $85,000–$95,000 per year
Performance bonus of up to $10,000 annually, paid quarterly
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Relocation assistance
Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
Career advancement opportunities within a growing network
Why Join Illuminate Montessori?
At Illuminate Montessori, you will have the opportunity to lead with purpose, ownership, and real impact. You will be part of a mission‑driven organization committed to transforming education through high‑quality Montessori practice, strong school communities, and exceptional leadership.
As Head of School, you will work alongside a network of high‑performing leaders, mentors, and educators while building a campus culture that supports children, families, and staff. This role also offers a clear path for continued growth into regional and executive leadership opportunities.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a warm, organized, strategic, and results‑driven school leader who believes deeply in Montessori principles and is committed to creating a peaceful, respectful, and high‑quality school community.
This person leads with calm professionalism, communicates clearly with families and staff, maintains strong operational systems, drives enrollment and team performance, and is excited to grow as part of a mission‑driven school network.
Apply Today
If you are a strong leader who wants to build, grow, and lead a high‑performing Montessori school, we would love to connect with you.
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Worksite address
boston, MA, 02298, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.