Head of Middle School & High School Admissions

Salary Range: $100,000 - $150,000. Placement in the range is commensurate with experience. 

Exemption Status: Exempt

The Dalton School, a progressive K-12 gender-inclusive school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, is consistently recognized as one of the preeminent independent day schools in the nation. Known for its child-centered approach and an exceptional, inspiring faculty, Dalton enrolls over 1,300 students with approximately 350 faculty and staff. Guided by the Dalton Plan, the foundation of a Dalton education, our faculty meets each student’s evolving needs, interests, and abilities, and fosters diversity as an integral part of school life. Dalton challenges each student to develop intellectual independence, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility toward others both within the School and in the broader community. 

We are seeking a Head of Middle School and High School Admissions, who will be responsible for all aspects of the admissions process for the Middle and High School divisions. The Head of Middle School and High School Admissions reports directly to the K-12 Director of Admissions, supervises a four person Admissions Office, sits on the Financial Aid Committee, works closely with faculty, staff, divisional directors, students, and other administrators, as well as with additional constituencies of the school community. 

Responsibilities:

The Head of Middle School and High School Admissions is responsible for all aspects of the Middle and High School admissions processes at Dalton:

• Execute and manage the complete admission process for Middle and High School, including but not limited to the creation of a model for implementing effective tours, student and parent interviews, information sessions, the review and presentation of all files to the Admissions Committee, and the supervision of all notification communications through completion.
• Conceive, draft and/or oversee all communications to applicants and their families and any promotional materials utilized in the admissions process.
• Work closely with Dalton's Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Director and the Director of Admissions, K-12, to set appropriate annual enrollment numbers for Middle and High School and to determine financial aid decisions for new students.
• Commit to creating a deeply diverse student body consistent with Dalton’s mission to maintain an intentionally diverse learning community.
• Cultivate relationships with faculty, students, staff, and other administrators in furtherance of the admissions process and to fully absorb the school’s differentiating characteristics and culture.
• Conduct all interactions consistent with ISAAGNY Principles of Good Practice and the ISAAGNY Membership Agreement. 
• Work closely with the Coordinator of K-12 Events on planning and leading day, evening, and Saturday events for Middle and High School admissions both in person and virtually, including but not limited to: open houses, accepted students events, new students events, registration events, and orientation events.
• Regularly analyze and update the effectiveness of any and all assessment tools and components of the Dalton application.
• Develop and maintain relationships with placement directors at all elementary and middle schools that historically, currently, or in the future could send applicants to Dalton. To this end, present in person and virtually at a variety of conferences, school fairs, panels, and workshops in New York City, many of which occur on Saturdays. 
• Conduct weekly staff meetings; meet as needed with the Director of Admissions.
• Present an annual report of admissions results to the Board of Trustees.
• Travel with 9th graders and Peer Leaders to the 9th Grade Orientation overnight trip.  
• Partner with the divisional administrative teams to facilitate transitions for new students.
• Act as a reader and admissions committee member for kindergarten admissions, a process that involves work over winter break.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. A Master’s Degree is preferred.
• Minimum five years of administrative admissions experience in an independent school.
• Must be well organized, possess excellent communication skills (written and oral), be well versed in education and the NYC educational landscape, and be able to articulate and inspire others about the school's philosophy, pedagogy, mission, and goals. 
• Demonstrated experience and success in assessing the capabilities of young people in an MS/HS admissions context and interacting warmly and clearly with adolescents as well as with parents. 
• Kind, humble, welcoming manner, and a sense of humor are essential.

The Dalton School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by applicable law in the administration of our educational policies, hiring policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletics, and other school-administered programs.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the employment portal using the following link - https://www.dalton.org/employment-opportunities

Salary : $100,000 - $150,000