Head of School at

Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS)

OUR MISSION

JCHS develops the promise of each individual through the strength of community. We empower students to embrace their unique Jewish identities, express empathy, delight in lifelong learning, and improve the world.

OUR VALUES

JCHS is a unique college preparatory high school committed to integrating deep learning, universal wisdom, and Jewish values.

• Deep learning: Learning that is intrinsically motivated and is the result of complex thinking, collaborative practice, integration, and reflection. It is both grounded in concrete knowledge and infinite in application.
• Universal wisdom: Wisdom inclusively drawn from across disciplines, cultures, and history–whether secular, religious, or Jewish. Universal wisdom honors diverse viewpoints derived from common values.
• Jewish values: Those values that are drawn from, but not necessarily exclusively identified with, the Jewish tradition–a tradition that is diverse and represented by many voices.

1. ABOUT THE SCHOOL

A Legacy of Pluralism and Innovation

Founded in 2001 and situated in the heart of San Francisco, JCHS is a vibrant, co-educational, pluralistic Jewish high school serving students in grades 9-12. We are defined by our commitment to "The JCHS Journey"—a four-year experience that prioritizes both intellectual depth and personal growth. Our campus is a place of learning where students from across the Bay Area come together to explore their identities, challenge their assumptions, and build a lasting community.

An Integrated Approach

At JCHS, the secular and the sacred are not in competition; they are in conversation. Our program features:

• Academic Rigor: A robust college-prep curriculum with honors and advanced courses across all disciplines.
• Jewish Studies: A pluralistic approach to text and tradition that welcomes students of all backgrounds—from those with deep Jewish day school experience to those newly exploring their Jewish identity.
• Visual & Performing  Arts: A legendary performing arts program and a rich visual arts program that encourages students to find their unique voice.
• Experiential Learning: A signature "Journeys" program takes learning beyond the classroom, with local and international trips that focus on social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural immersion.

• Athletics: A robust sports program that develops teamwork and sportsmanship, even as our teams advance to league championships and state sectional playoffs.

Our Connection to Israel 

Identification with the State of Israel plays a central role in our mission to shape a strong Jewish identity. We seek to forge connections that are positive, lasting, and personal between each student and Israel. Recognizing Israel as the national homeland for the Jewish people, JCHS provides religious and cultural inspiration through:

• Academic Depth: Robust study of Israeli history, politics, and Hebrew literature.
• Experiential Learning: A capstone Israel Journey that allows students to develop a sense of personal responsibility for Klal Yisrael (Jewish Peoplehood).
• Peoplehood: Understanding the vital interconnection between Israel and the Diaspora.

The Population We Serve

JCHS serves a diverse student body representing dozens of zip codes across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our families come from a wide range of Jewish religious practice, from Orthodox to non-observant backgrounds, reflecting the unique, eclectic, and inclusive spirit of Northern California.

2. ABOUT THE POSITION

Unique among its peers, JCHS represents one of the most religiously diverse Jewish student bodies in North America. We thrive on building an inclusive and pluralistic school, while also maintaining an academic and extracurricular rigor that competes with other top notch San Francisco private schools.  As the Head of School at JCHS, you will serve as the primary architect of our school’s culture and the leading voice for our mission. This role encompasses vision-setting, community building, staff leadership, family engagement, and fundraising. This is a role for an innovative and insightful leader who embodies strong composure and a charismatic presence based on experience and expertise.

JCHS is positioned for strategic growth. We have fully developed our core – a robust curriculum, a motivated high-capacity faculty, and an engaged student and parent body. We are now focused on developing our vision and are looking for a Head of School to lead us in this work.  You will be our primary storyteller, articulating a value proposition that resonates with families from every corner of the Bay Area’s diverse Jewish community. You will be an enterprising fundraiser and a strategic growth expert. You will lead the charge in increasing enrollment and securing the financial resources necessary to ensure that our high school curriculum remains accessible, inclusive and state-of-the-art. 

The Head of School will be expected to lead with intentionality, ensuring that JCHS remains at the forefront of educational innovation while staying grounded in our core Jewish values. You will be seen as a bridge-builder, a strategic thinker, and a champion for every student’s individual path. You will find joy in the nuanced complexity of a pluralistic community and will strive to maintain an environment of excellence.

3. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

Governance and Strategic Leadership

• Partner with our Board of Directors to execute the school’s long-term strategic growth plan.
• Maintain the fiscal health of the school through sophisticated budget management and operational oversight.
• Utilize our current plan to develop a clear, grounded vision and messaging plan for the future of JCHS in an ever-evolving educational and community landscape.

Educational Leadership and Management

• Inspire, support, mentor and manage our world-class faculty and professional staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
• Ensure the continued excellence of our integrated program, keeping JCHS at the cutting edge of pedagogical innovation.
• Model the school's commitment to pluralism and Zionism, navigating diverse communal needs with emotional intelligence and grace.

Community Relationship Building and Advancement

• Develop strong and strategic relationships within the greater San Francisco Jewish community and the broader independent school network.
• Lead a robust institutional advancement effort, serving as the primary fundraiser to inspire philanthropic investment and long-term sustainability.
• Cultivate deep, authentic relationships with students, staff, and parents.
• Oversee strategic enrollment management, identifying new markets and effectively communicating the school's unique mission to attract a broad spectrum of Jewish families.

Communication and Role Modeling

• Communicate with transparency and refined taste, reflecting the high standards and intellectual depth of our institution.
• Model the school’s values of integrity, empathy, and social responsibility in every interaction.

4. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION

• Academic Excellence: You possess an advanced degree and a track record of educational leadership.

• Management Experience: You have a successful history of managing complex organizations, budgets, and high-level teams, preferably within the Jewish community.

• Fundraising Prowess: You have a proven track record of securing major gifts and leading successful development campaigns.
• Strategic Growth:  You have a demonstrated ability to grow an organization’s reach and attract a diverse, high-capacity client or student base.
• Relational Intelligence: You have a strong affinity toward and ability to connect with teenagers and their families, offering a presence that is both authoritative and approachable.

• Hiring: You have strong expertise with staff recruitment, hiring, and comprehensive onboarding processes.

• Commitment to Pluralism: You have a deep understanding of the Jewish denominational spectrum and the ability to build bridges between varied viewpoints.
• Zionist Leadership: A personal commitment to fostering a strong, nuanced connection to the State of Israel among students and families.
  
  

5. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY

San Francisco: A Hub of Culture and Innovation

Located in the Western Addition/Fillmore district, JCHS is steps away from the cultural heart of San Francisco. The Bay Area offers an unparalleled quality of life, defined by its natural beauty, and its role as a global epicenter for technology and creativity.

The Jewish infrastructure in the Bay Area is one of the most diverse and innovative in the world. From historic synagogues to cutting-edge Jewish startups, the community is characterized by a spirit that values depth, social justice, and intentional living. For a leader who values both intellectual rigor and a grounded lifestyle, there is no better place to call home.

To apply to become our next head of school, please send a cover letter and resume to Amy Wasser, Senior Director Field Advancement at Prizmah, Center for Jewish Day Schools: amyw@prizmah.org.

JCHS is committed to a full and fair compensation package.  The base salary will start at $325,000 in addition to benefits; final salary will be commensurate with experience.

About Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS)

The Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS) is a co-educational day school providing a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum in general and Judaic Studies. We are committed to an extensive enrichment program, including the arts and athletics. JCHS serves the San Francisco Bay Community and is open to all Jewish students regardless of prior Jewish educational experience. JCHS is guided by the rhythms of the Jewish calendar, Jewish culture and tradition, and by an inextricable link to the land of Israel. Our goal is to provide our students with the education necessary to gain acceptance into the finest colleges and universities and to engage in life-long Jewish learning. Our wish is to enable our graduates to employ the skills and lessons taught within our walls in their lives within both the Jewish and the wider community.

Connections working at Jewish Community High School of the Bay (JCHS)