Technical competencies like hard skills such as curriculum development, instructional leadership, and budget management are essential for a head of school to demonstrate.
Head Of School Resume Examples & Templates
Looking to advance your career in education? Our head of school resume examples showcase leadership, curriculum development, and communication skills that will help you stand out to employers.
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Popular Head of School Resume Examples
Discover our top head of school resume examples that emphasize critical leadership skills, strategic planning, and community engagement. These samples illustrate how to effectively showcase your accomplishments in educational administration.
Ready to build your ideal resume? Our Resume Builder provides user-friendly templates specifically designed for education leaders, helping you make a lasting impression on hiring committees.
Recommended
Head of school resume
What this resume does well:
The resume employs professional resume fonts and a well-organized layout that improve readability, ensuring key achievements are easily noticeable. These design elements effectively convey the applicant's qualifications and attention to detail, leaving a positive impression on potential employers.
School principal resume
What this resume does well:
This resume successfully balances key skills such as educational leadership and curriculum development with extensive work experience in school administration. By showcasing these abilities alongside concrete achievements, employers can clearly see how the job seeker's background equips them to improve student engagement and academic success in a head of school role.
School director resume
What this resume does well:
This resume uses bullet points to effectively highlight key achievements in educational leadership, allowing hiring managers to quickly grasp the applicant's impact. The strategic spacing between sections and clear headings create a visually appealing layout that improves readability and emphasizes core competencies without cluttering the page.
Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste
Ming Johnson
St. Louis, MO 63101
(555)555-5555
Ming.Johnson@example.com
Professional Summary
Seasoned educational leader with 7 years of experience driving student success, expert in curriculum design and strategic planning. Proven track record in enhancing student engagement and staff development.
Work History
Head of School
Pinnacle Academy - St. Louis, MO
June 2022
- Led a 15% student enrollment increase.
- Implemented technology in 10 new classrooms.
- Achieved a 20% improvement in test scores.
Principal
River Valley School - Parkview, MO
June 2017 - May 2022
- Reduced dropout rates by 12% over two years.
- Expanded extracurricular activities by 30%.
- Developed partnerships with 5 local businesses.
Vice Principal
North City High - Parkview, MO
June 2015 - May 2017
- Coordinated school-wide curriculum update.
- Increased teacher retention by 15%.
- Organized 8 annual community engagement events.
Languages
- Spanish - Beginner (A1)
- French - Beginner (A1)
- Mandarin - Beginner (A1)
Skills
- Educational Leadership
- Curriculum Design
- Student Achievement
- Staff Development
- Community Relations
- Technology Integration
- Strategic Planning
- Conflict Resolution
Certifications
- Certified School Administrator - New Jersey Department of Education
- Certified Educational Leader - National Association of Secondary School Principals
Education
Master of Education Educational Leadership
Columbia University New York, New York
May 2015
Bachelor of Arts History
Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Jersey
May 2013
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How to Write a Head of School Resume Summary
Your resume summary is the first opportunity to make a lasting impression on hiring managers. It sets the tone for your application and showcases your qualifications for the head of school position right from the start.
As an educational leader, you should highlight your vision for academic excellence, leadership experience, and ability to foster a positive school culture. These elements will resonate with employers looking for someone who can inspire both staff and students.
To illustrate what makes an effective summary, consider these examples. They will guide you in crafting a compelling introduction that captures attention:
Weak resume summary
As an experienced head of school, I have worked in various educational settings and am seeking a position to showcase my leadership skills. I desire a school that values collaboration and innovation where I can make a significant impact. I believe my background will help the institution thrive.
Why this summary misses the mark:
- Lacks specific achievements or metrics that demonstrate the applicant's contributions to previous roles
- Focuses on personal desires rather than highlighting what unique value the job seeker brings to a potential employer
- Uses generic language like 'significant impact' without providing concrete examples or context
Strong resume summary
Innovative head of school with over 10 years of leadership experience in K-12 education, driving academic excellence and community engagement. Achieved a 20% increase in student enrollment through strategic marketing initiatives and improved curriculum development. Proficient in data-driven decision-making, teacher evaluation processes, and fostering inclusive educational environments.
Why this summary works:
- Begins with clear indication of leadership experience and educational focus
- Highlights significant achievements that demonstrate impact on school growth and quality
- Showcases relevant skills and competencies that align with the responsibilities of a head of school
PRO TIP
Don’t stress about limited work experience. Opt for a career objective instead of a resume summary. Check out resume objective examples crafted for your educational leadership role.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
The work experience section is important for your resume as head of school, serving as the main focus where you’ll have the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always emphasize this important section.
Organize this part chronologically, listing your previous positions in reverse order. Use bullet points to detail specific achievements and contributions made in each leadership role.
To help illustrate effective presentations of work history, we’ve included a couple of examples that highlight what works well and what to avoid:
Weak work experience
Head of School
Sunrise Academy – Austin, TX
- Oversaw school operations
- Managed staff and students
- Handled budgeting and scheduling
- Participated in community events
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
- Lacks specific accomplishments or metrics to show impact
- Bullet points are overly broad and do not highlight leadership skills
- Misses out on detailing initiatives that improved student outcomes
Strong work experience
Head of School
Greenwood Academy – Seattle, WA
August 2018 - Present
- Lead a faculty of 50 educators, fostering an inclusive environment that improved student engagement by 30%
- Develop and implement a strategic plan that increased enrollment by 20% over three years while improving academic performance
- Establish partnerships with community organizations to provide students with internship opportunities, resulting in 15% higher job placement rates
Why this work experience section works:
- Starts each bullet with compelling action verbs that clearly convey the job seeker’s achievements
- Incorporates specific metrics to highlight tangible results of leadership efforts
- Highlights essential skills relevant to school administration and educational leadership
While your resume summary and work experience are important components, don't overlook the importance of other sections. Each part plays a role in showcasing your qualifications. For detailed guidance, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.
Top Skills to Include on Your Resume
A well-defined skills section is important for any resume, as it quickly highlights your qualifications to potential employers. This part of your resume allows you to demonstrate that you possess the essential competencies needed for the head of school role.
Your resume skills section should consist of a balanced mix of hard and soft skills relevant to your job. Hard skills demonstrate your industry expertise, and soft skills showcase essential interpersonal abilities.
Meanwhile, soft skills encompass effective communication, empathy, and conflict resolution, which are important for fostering a positive school culture and engaging with students, staff, and parents alike.
When choosing resume skills for your resume, ensure they match the employer's expectations. Many organizations use automated screening systems that filter out job seekers who lack essential skills needed for the position.
To tailor your application effectively, carefully review job postings to identify specific skills mentioned. This will allow you to prioritize attributes that capture the attention of both recruiters and ATS systems, thereby increasing your chances of landing an interview.
PRO TIP
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10 skills that appear on successful head of school resumes
Highlighting essential skills on your resume can significantly attract recruiters looking for qualified heads of school. You can explore how these competencies are effectively showcased in our resume examples, providing you the confidence to present yourself as a strong applicant.
Here are 10 skills you should consider including in your resume if they align with your qualifications and role expectations:
Leadership
Curriculum development
Conflict resolution
Budget management
Community engagement
Staff development
Data analysis
Strategic planning
Communication skills
Cultural competency
Based on analysis of 5,000+ education professional resumes from 2023-2024
Resume Format Examples
Choosing the right resume format is important for a head of school position because it effectively showcases your leadership experience, educational achievements, and relevant skills to potential employers.
Entry-Level 0 - 2 years
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs
Best for:
Recent graduates, career changers with up to two years of experience
Mid-Career 3 - 7 years
Combination
Balances skills and work history equally
Best for:
Mid-career professionals focused on demonstrating skills and pursuing growth opportunities
Experienced 8+ years
Chronological
Emphasizes work history in reverse order
Best for:
Seasoned educators excelling in leadership and curriculum development
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a cover letter with my head of school resume?
Absolutely. Including a cover letter can significantly improve your application by highlighting your unique qualifications and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the role. If you want to craft a compelling cover letter, consider our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter or use our Cover Letter Generator to simplify the process and get started quickly.
Can I use a resume if I’m applying internationally, or do I need a CV?
When applying for international positions, a CV is often preferred over a resume due to its comprehensive nature. To assist you in crafting an effective CV, we offer various resources detailing how to write a CV with proper formatting and creation techniques tailored for global standards. Additionally, you can explore different CV examples to better understand how to structure your document.
What soft skills are important for head of schools?
For a head of school, soft skills like leadership, active listening, and interpersonal skills are essential. They foster a nurturing environment, encouraging collaboration among staff and students, which leads to a positive educational experience for all involved.
I’m transitioning from another field. How should I highlight my experience?
Highlight your transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and adaptability when applying for head of school positions. These attributes are important in education and can showcase your readiness to lead despite any limited direct experience. Provide concrete examples from your past roles that illustrate how you've successfully tackled challenges related to team management and student engagement.
Should I use a cover letter template?
Yes, using a cover letter template for the head of school position is advisable as it provides a clear structure to highlight leadership skills, curriculum development experience, and successful student engagement initiatives effectively. This organized approach ensures that key achievements resonate well with hiring managers.
Should I include a personal mission statement on my head of school resume?
Including a personal mission statement on your resume is highly recommended. It effectively conveys your values and career aspirations, which is especially compelling for schools that prioritize educational philosophy and community engagement in their culture.
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