Posted: 05-Apr-26
Location: Encino, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $145,000–$160,000
Preferred Education:
Position Summary
Westmark School is a creative and supportive college preparatory school dedicated to educating, empowering, and celebrating students with distinct learning styles, providing the tools necessary to achieve successful and fulfilling futures. Over the past forty years, Westmark has earned acclaim for transforming the lives of Grades 2–12 students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other diagnosed language-based learning differences (LBLD).
Westmark’s Upper School is the only independent high school in Greater Los Angeles that specializes in educating LBLD students and preparing them for post-secondary success. For many years, 100% of graduating Westmark seniors who apply to college have been accepted.
Westmark School is currently seeking an experienced, visionary administrator to lead the Upper School, which encompasses approximately 100 students and 16 faculty each year. The Director of Upper School will shape the division’s rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and the School’s college and career readiness program; attract and retain exceptional faculty; and ensure that the best educational practices are implemented to address the needs of students and their families.
This opportunity opens during an exciting time in Westmark’s history. Over the last decade, under the leadership of its Head of School, Claudia Koochek—a renowned leader in the field of LBLD education—Westmark has grown into an organization that prioritizes research-to-practice and robust teacher training, all in service of elevating how LBLD students are educated at Westmark and beyond. To that end, the School has been laying the foundation for groundbreaking partnerships with universities, research institutes, and organizations across the country.
Position Start Date: July 1, 2026
Position Salary: $145,000–$160,000, dependent upon experience
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Associate Head of School, the Director of Upper School is responsible for fulfilling the School's mission and vision by overseeing the academic activities and outcomes for Upper School students, to include college and career readiness.
Academic and Division Leadership
- Serve as the educational leader of Westmark’s Upper School division, with responsibility for its day-to-day operation; direct the activities of the members of the School’s instructional and non-instructional teams; serve as a visible presence and inspiring spokesperson among students, families, and faculty.
- Review, enhance, and continually improve the Upper School curriculum to ensure that it incorporates inclusive, research-based best practices and standards for college-preparatory high schools, taking into account the unique requirements of preparing LBLD adolescents for post-secondary success.
- Thoroughly understand the profile of LBLD students; develop plans for meeting their needs and for engaging all members of the community in student success.
- Serve as an advocate for the Upper School within the broader community; collaborate closely with the Director of Middle School, especially with regards to facilitating the successful transition of the School’s Grade 8 students to Upper School life.
- Assist in the admission process for the testing, interviewing and evaluating of applicants.
- Supervise the College and Career Counselor and collaborate with the full Counseling Office in overseeing and continually upgrading social-emotional learning, executive function, college and career preparation and placement.
- Manage Upper School budgets; review and approve purchase requests and determine the most appropriate use of allotted funds.
- In collaboration with the senior leadership team, serve as an active member in all areas of school life; work toward a resolution of all problems, both routine and unique, as they arise; keep the Associate Head of School informed of the general programs, activities, and challenges of the Upper School.
Student and Parent Engagement
- Ensure that Upper School faculty provide appropriate academic instruction and guidance for students, while fully integrating parents/guardians in the process.
- Review and continually improve Upper School curricula, processes, programs, technologies, practices, pedagogies, and schedules with a focus on continual improvements that deliver superior outcomes for students and faculty.
- Assist in establishing guidelines for proper student conduct; monitor student discipline consistent with School policies.
- Maintain complete academic records on all students and oversee grading and other reporting according to best practices used by teachers to measure student achievement.
- Communicate student progress clearly and consistently with Upper School parents/guardians.
Faculty Engagement
- Observe, mentor, and evaluate faculty in the development and implementation of curriculum; supervise teaching; and review and evaluate academic programs.
- Oversee the day-to-day activities and assignments of the Upper School Advisors, Department Chairs, and College and Career Counselor; create and sustain a supportive environment that both establishes and reflects teamwork and collaboration.
- In close coordination with the Associate Head of School, recruit and retain educators with the expertise, positive energy, and focus required to successfully serve Westmark students; leads the orientation of new teachers, assuring they adhere to School policies and practices; foster a culture of faculty growth.
- Work collaboratively with tech committees and specialists to support educational technology initiatives and dynamic needs in the Upper School.
- Work closely with the Associate Head of School and key senior administration in planning and implementing a comprehensive professional development program for faculty.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements of government regulations and agencies, and adherence with the educational standards established by the State of California and by those agencies that examine and accredit Westmark School.
- An open, flexible, and solution-oriented mindset in response to evolving school and student needs.
- A mission-driven community builder with a belief in and a career committed to independent school educational practices, preferably with experience empowering students with language-based learning differences.
- Master’s degree; minimum of 7 years progressive experience in administration or equivalent managerial expertise in grades 9–12.
- Deep understanding of adolescent development, especially in LBLD teens.
- Strong curricular and college preparation and placement experience, with particular knowledge of trends and best practices.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to effectively communicate with all stakeholders of the School, build consensus, and lead with clarity and confidence.
- An ability to create a caring and dynamic culture for students and faculty; a good listener and strategist; comfortable receiving input from many sources and able to analyze and formulate disparate information into a sound, well-organized plan.
