Graded - The American School of São Paulo

São Paulo, Brazil

seeks a

Superintendent

- - effective July, 2009 - -

The School

Graded - The American School of São Paulo is a private, non-profit, coeducational, day school serving students from Pre-K (2 year-olds) through Grade 12. It was founded in 1920 and serves students from the international business community in São Paulo, Brazil, the commercial hub of South America. Graded School is fully accredited by SACS-CASI/AdvancED, one of seven regional accrediting agencies in the United States, and just received a five-year reaccreditation in April, 2008. The educational program and curriculum is American based and incorporates the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in grades 11-12. Total school enrollment is 1156, with a faculty of 136.

Mission

Graded School's mission is to provide an excellent individual education to prepare students to maximize their potential and be responsible citizens in a pluralistic society. The school provides a high-quality, well-rounded, English-language, American-style education to children of the international and Brazilian communities. Through its policies and programs Graded School endorses the value of diversity and the virtues of social and environmental responsibility and cultural awareness.

The Community

The majority of families with children attending Graded School come from the international community living in São Paulo. Approximately 43% of school families are Brazilian. Most parents are employed by large, multi-national corporations doing business in São Paulo. The school enjoys strong parent support and has close ties with the local community through many community service projects and activities.

Campus and Facilities

Graded School's 16 acre campus is located in a residential area within the city of São Paulo. School facilities include 90 classrooms, a 450-seat auditorium, a soccer field, an all-weather track, tennis courts, beach volleyball court, two gymnasiums, three covered courts, two libraries, writing centers for English and Portuguese, six computer labs (including three digital film labs), 710 computers (including six mobile lap-top labs), wireless Internet access, and an exceptional Arts Center with black-box theater, soundproof rooms for orchestra, choir, and band, and facilities for dance, ceramics, painting, drawing, photo studios, music library, and art gallery.

Students

Total enrollment at Graded School is 1156 students. Current breakdown by level is:

Preschool - 172; Elementary School - 407; Middle School - 225; High School - 352.

Composition by nationality is: Brazilian - 43%, American and Canadian - 26%, Korean 8%, and other - 23%. Approximately 70% of Graded School graduates attend universities in the US/Canada (Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, UBC) while 20% attend universities in Brazil, and 10% attend colleges and universities elsewhere. Average class size is 20 students in the lower school and 15 in the upper school. Approximately 8% of Graded School students receive ESL support and 7% receive direct special education services.

Curriculum

The curriculum at Graded School is similar to college-preparatory schools in the United States. Students are able to pursue American, Brazilian, and IB diploma options. All students complete the American diploma program and 35% pursue the full IB diploma. The school currently enjoys a 100% pass rate of all IB diploma candidates. All high school students are required to take at least three IB certificates while 70% earn the Brazilian diploma in addition to the American diploma. The “Four Pillars” of the Graded School curriculum are: Academics, Arts, Activities, and Service. The curriculum includes a strong community service component, many opportunities for student leadership, athletics, activities and clubs, and several performing arts programs are also available. Atlas Rubicon Curriculum Mapping is used to ensure a well-developed, effective, and articulated curriculum. Special Education, Counseling, ESL, and Writing Center support are available for students with identified needs in these areas.

Faculty and Administration

The Graded School staff includes 136 faculty members and 9 administrators. Approximately 45% are US/Canadian, 48% are Brazilian, and the balance are expatriates from several other countries. Fully 50% of the staff members have advanced degrees and faculty turnover is low with the average tenure of faculty members being nearly 8 years.

Governance

The Board of Directors is self-perpetuating and consists of 12 members, all of whom are parents of currently enrolled students. The Board is guided by the NAIS Principles of Good Practice. The Superintendent is an ex-officio member of the Board at Board meetings.

Academic Calendar

The school year consists of 187 teacher contract days and 180 instructional days. Semester I is from August - December and Semester II runs from January - June.

The Position Description

The Superintendent is the chief executive officer of the school. The administration of the school in all its aspects is delegated to the Superintendent, who carries out his/her administrative functions in accord with the policies adopted by the Board. The execution of all decisions made by the Board concerning the internal operation of the school is the responsibility of the Superintendent.

As the chief administrative and supervisory officer of the school, the Superintendent is directly responsible to the Board for:

• execution of Board policies
• efficient observance of regulations by all employees
• administration and supervision of the work of all departments and programs, and
• all other educational, in-service, social, and recreational activities connected with the school

The Superintendent shall report at each Board meeting on the activities of the school in a brief summary, including the following:

• any items which should be brought to the attention of the Board
• recommendations for changes / additions to Board policy
• arranging for periodic reports by the Business Manager
• reports on enrollment, test scores, and other objective assessments of student performance
• reports from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Office of Overseas Schools, and other professional organizations

Required Qualifications

• A proven record of outstanding educational leadership in a senior level position
• An advanced graduate degree in education or a related field
• Demonstrated success in recruiting and retaining an excellent faculty and staff

Preferred Qualifications

• International experience
• Excellent academic record
• Demonstrated successful experience with school finance, development, and Board governance
• Strong work ethic and the ability to successfully balance a complex institution while providing leadership for a host of academic, artistic, athletic, and service learning programs
• Proven record of working harmoniously with faculty, staff, parents, students, Board members, alumni, and the community
• IB knowledge and/or experience
• Experience with local national diploma programs

Personal Attributes / Characteristics

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A good listener with a collaborative administrative style
• Honesty, integrity, compassion, and a good sense of humor
• Ability to generate trust with all constituent groups
• Strong organizational and proven problem-solving skills
• Ability to balance the competing interests of the elementary, middle, and high schools
• Cultural openness, sensitivity, and understanding

Salary and Benefits

The salary will be competitive and will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The Superintendent’s package includes:

• Highly competitive salary
• Housing
• Retirement
• Health insurance
• Shipping allowance
• Annual home leave
• Use of automobile
• Tuition for dependent children

Procedure for Filing Application

The Board of Directors of Graded - The American School of São Paulo has appointed International Schools Services (ISS) to act as consultant in the search for a new Superintendent. Candidates who wish to apply for the position must establish a professional file with ISS to facilitate the application process and ensure that credentials are provided to the school in a uniform and consistent manner.

Candidates who wish to establish professional files with ISS, or who must activate their professional files, may find complete application details at the ISS <candidate portal >.

Candidates who currently have active professional files with ISS need only to submit a one to two page letter of application addressed to Dr. Ralph Jahr citing the strengths they feel qualify them for consideration for the Superintendent position at Graded - The American School of São Paulo. Application letters should be forwarded to the address noted at the end of this announcement.

The deadline for letters of interest is September 1, 2008. Candidates are asked to submit their letter of interest as early as possible as the Board reserves the right to close the selection process at any time if the right candidate is found. Semifinalist candidates will be identified by ISS and their dossiers forwarded to the Search Committee for review. Finalist candidates and their spouses, if applicable, will be interviewed in São Paulo and will have the opportunity to meet with faculty, parents, students, and non-teaching staff. The new Superintendent will be appointed shortly after interviews of the finalist candidates have been completed. Additional information about the school can be found at the school's web site at <www.graded.br>.