ontclair KiMberley cadeMy - mka.org€¦ · MKA’s mission – Knowledge, Vision, and Integrity...

Montclair KiMberley acadeMyMontclair, new Jerseydirector of adMissions and financial aidJuly 2014

1The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com

Mission Statement the Position

Montclair Kimberley Academy is a Pre-K-12 co-educational day school with an exceptional college preparatory program unified by the concepts of our school motto: Knowledge, Vision, Integrity. An MKA education is defined by the following commit-ments:

Knowledge:To cultivate a love of learning in each studentTo develop independent and autonomous learnersTo establish a foundation of academic excellence

Vision:To engage each student intellectually and personally with the worldTo graduate students who will excel in college and in their lives beyond MKATo recognize complexity and value empathy

Integrity:To strengthen each student’s intellect, character, and confidenceTo promote each student’s full and active citizenship and leadershipTo secure a life-long sense of honor through academ-ic, athletic, and artistic achievement

With traditions dating back to 1887, MKA was formed by the merger of Montclair Academy, Brook-side School, and The Kimberley School in 1974.

One of New Jersey’s largest coeducational inde-pendent day schools serving over 1000 students

in grades Pre-K-12 on three age-appropriate cam-puses, today’s Montclair Kimberley Academy, built on a tradition of excellence, offers its diverse student body a rigorous, yet innovative, college preparatory education. With a strong national reputation for its 1:1 program, culture of ethics and faculty profession-al development, MKA delivers an innovative educa-tion that combines excellence in teaching, creativity in curriculum and a warm, welcoming and highly personal, technology-enriched environment that prepares its students not only for the most demand-ing colleges, but also for the real world challenges ahead. The values of the school motto - Knowledge, Vision, Integrity - are woven into the culture of the school, both in and outside the classroom. Students learn to develop good character and recognize and take responsibility for their actions. MKA students are instilled with respect for others and a passion for service within and beyond their communities. After recently celebrating its 125th anniversary, MKA is especially cognizant of its rich traditions, while also dedicated to providing the education and facilities necessary to graduate future generations of confi-dent, prepared and independent thinkers.

At this time, the school seeks a visionary, dedicated and flexible Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, effective July 2014. This individual will be a dynamic addition to the MKA community, ready and willing to help MKA attract and retain a strong student body with warmth, sensitivity, and strength while embracing the traditions and values that distin-guish this special school.

oPPortunities and challenges• MKA is well managed and debt free, with a 20

million dollar endowment.

• The Academy draws students from 75 commu-nities, approximately one third of whom live in


Connected to the fundamental principles found in MKA’s mission – Knowledge, Vision, and Integrity – this Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Purpose defines our community’s aspirational beliefs and ac-tions.

We believe that a diversity of experiences presented through a rigorous multicultural curriculum develops our global cultural competency. To cultivate a love of learning, we encourage ourselves to explore and appreciate differences and similarities, to challenge stereotypes and to acknowledge the range of per-spectives within and outside of our community.

We uphold that an inclusive school environment fos-ters a culture of mutual respect, moral responsibility and academic excellence. To recognize complexity and value empathy, we welcome, embrace, support and encourage our entire community: its races, cul-tures, genders and sexualities, its experiences and economics, its aspirations, abilities and affiliations.

We strive for equity and social justice as the founda-tion for our engagement with an increasingly com-plex world. To promote full and active citizenship and leadership, we engage with the world through the strength of our ethical convictions and recognize our deep interdependence with others.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement of PurposeMontclair.

• The three-campus layout of MKA, a strength in terms of student life at each campus, is an added challenge for the Director of Admissions and Fi-nancial Aid to manage.

• Being near New York City provides wonderful opportunities for students.

• The school faces considerable competition from strong public, independent and parochial schools in the surrounding areas.

• Like many day schools, MKA is challenged by demographic changes to attract K and pre-K stu-dents.

• Once families visit MKA, they usually apply, but marketing is an ongoing challenge—the MKA brand needs further definition, and an increase in the conversion of inquiries to applications is desired.

• The Academy has a strong culture of profession-al growth, particularly in terms of curriculum and instruction and technology.

• The Director manages a large and effective par-ent ambassador program, and additional coordi-nation with development and communications offices will strengthen word of mouth.

• The quality of MKA public admissions events is a strength of the program that must be main-tained.


school historyToday’s Montclair Kimberley Academy is the prod-uct of the merger of three separate schools: Montclair Academy, The Kimberley School, and Brookside School. MKA draws from the traditions of excel-lence that characterized each of these unique institu-tions, and over its history has offered students a rigor-ous, supportive, and innovative college preparatory education.

Montclair Academy, founded in 1887, originally en-rolled 32 boys under the tutelage of John MacVicar. By 1891, the school had expanded to include a board-ing facility and was renamed the Montclair Military Academy. At the end of World War I, the school name reverted to Montclair Academy. Over its initial decades, the school’s enrollment grew exponentially; by 1925, 300 boys were enrolled.

A counterpart to Montclair Academy, Miss Waring’s School and Studio opened in 1906 for young ladies under the direction of Headmistress Mary Kimberley Waring. When Mary Jordan joined Miss Waring as co-principal in 1909, the school changed its name to The Kimberley School. Together, the two women ran

the school for more than 30 years until it was incor-porated as a non-profit in 1941.

In 1925, a group of local parents founded Brookside School, a progressive, co-educational day school for students in grades K-6.

In 1950, the Montclair Academy Foundation pur-chased Brookside School. In 1963, the founda-tion acquired additional property as The Kimberley School expanded. Five years later, the two institu-tions offered cross-registration for certain classes, shared social events, and theatrical productions, join-ing officially in 1974.

With its Signature Programs in ethics, writing, and core works, its rich fabric of multi-faceted traditions, and its sophisticated and diverse community, MKA continues to innovate, offering cutting-edge college preparatory programs to prepare its students for fu-ture success. Today, the school has embarked upon a Strategic Planning initiative and initiated several 21st century programs, including a Chinese Lan-guage Program, a 1:1 laptop program that resulted in MKA being named an Apple School of Distinc-tion for 2013-15, and an extensive Global Experience Program.


the school todayToday, MKA celebrates its heritage while moving steadfastly into the future. Each of the school’s three campuses offers a rich, challenging, and innovative liberal arts curriculum designed to engage student in-terest and develop each student to his or her fullest potential. Small class sizes (MKA boasts a favorable student-teacher ratio of approximately 6:1) promote a highly interactive environment, in which students learn to identify their own strengths and to respect the talents of their peers. Across divisions, MKA stu-dents learn to use technology creatively, think criti-cally, and communicate effectively, thus preparing for success in college and in their careers. The school is also known for being a warm, supportive and in-clusive institution that prides itself on an active and involved parent and alumni community.

acadeMics

The Primary School Campus provides an atmosphere of exuberant academic exploration in a nurturing, creative classroom environment, enhanced by classes with specialists in the fields of science, foreign lan-guages, art, dance, music, library and physical edu-cation. The Primary School serves 204 children in

grades Pre-K 3, with two sections of both Pre-K and Kindergarten and three sections in grades 1-3. Fa-cilities include a science lab, a library, an art room, a dance room, a music room, a combined gymnasium/auditorium with a stage, and three playgrounds, in-cluding a turfed field. A plan to renovate the Primary School building—expanding to include a dual use cafeteria and auditorium and more classroom and of-fice space—is part of the school’s current campaign, Future Forward.

At the Middle School Campus, support and challenge, freedom and responsibility are balanced as students grow both personally and academically. The campus serves 386 students in grades 4 – 8. Four sections of both 4th and 5th grades comprise the Lower House of the Middle School, which primarily occupies its own hallway on the ground floor. Five sections of grade 6 and six sections of grades 7 and 8 comprise the Upper House. The Middle School benefits from a recently renovated auditorium, lobby, dining hall and common meeting room (projects largely funded through the school’s current campaign); and boasts updated science labs, a new dance room, renovated art rooms and a relatively new gymnasium. As part of the school’s Future Forward campaign, the library, which includes a Learning Lab, will be renovated and expanded to include the Technology Center and sup-port varied and dynamic study spaces. The Middle School campus is home to MKA’s tennis courts and several playing fields. It also serves as the adminis-trative hub for MKA—all tri-campus administrators have their offices at the Middle School.

At the Upper School Campus, 423 students, almost evenly divided among grades 9 – 12 have the oppor-tunity to pursue their academic, artistic and/or ath-letic interests in myriad ways at a high level of en-gagement and achievement, both through curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Strong faculty-stu-dent relationships and a vibrant school spirit enhance rigorous academics and college preparation. A block schedule featuring 75-minute enables students to ex-plore subjects in depth and reduce stress levels. With a ratio of approximately one college counselor to ev-ery 25 seniors, MKA provides an extraordinary level of support for students and their parents in the college search and application process. Our graduates enroll


college PlaceMent

The following is a partial list of universities to which 2013 MKA graduates matriculated:

• Amherst College• Babson College• Boston College• Boston University• UC Berkeley• The Catholic University of

America• College of Charleston• University of Chicago• University of Colorado at

Boulder• Columbia University• Cornell University• Dartmouth College• Dickinson College• Duke University• Elon University• Fashion Institute of Technology• Georgetown University• Harvard University• Johns Hopkins University• Lafayette College• Lehigh University• University of Michigan• New York University• Northeastern University• University of Notre Dame• Occidental College• University of Pennsylvania• Princeton University• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute• Sarah Lawrence College• University of Southern

California• Stanford University• Syracuse University• Trinity College• Vassar College• Washington University in St.

Louis• Williams College

at outstanding and demanding colleges and universities and re-port back to us in overwhelming numbers regarding their ability to thrive and take full advantage of the academic, artistic, athletic and personal opportunities provided by the institutions they attend. The Upper School benefits from many facilities, including recent-ly renovated spaces, such as the Arts Wing with an updated audi-torium, a black-box theatre, up-dated science labs, and a recently renovated dining hall, fitness cen-ter and dance room. The Upper School has a turfed football-sized field across the street and access to a recently renovated and turfed field two blocks away. The next stage in the school’s campaign is to develop a new Academic Center as the hub of the school, including a variety of dynamic workspaces for students where they can simultaneously access Library, Tech Center and Learn-ing Lab resources.

signature PrograMs

MKA features three unique sig-nature programs, which mani-fest themselves in different ways in each division: the Culture of

Ethics, the Writing Challenge, and the MKA Core. These pro-grams distinguish MKA’s already rich curriculum and enliven the school’s motto of “Knowledge, Vision, Integrity.”

The school’s Culture of Ethics helps students understand how their actions can help others. In Primary School, the focus is on Building the Classroom Com-munity, while Middle School is devoted to Citizenship through Advising and Service, and the Upper School centers upon Ethi-cal Leadership. This program re-inforces MKA’s basic belief that character education is just as im-portant as education of the mind.

The Writing Challenge clari-fies expectations for students in grades PK-12 regarding writing and helps them understand the strengths and weaknesses inher-ent to their own writing. The Writing Challenge emphasizes the act of writing as a cumulative, continuous process that includes pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and sharing. Students are encouraged to strive for excel-lence as they hone both the tech-


nical and stylistic aspects of their writing. Groups of teachers use specifically defined criteria to formally assess students’ writing at four benchmarks through-out the MKA experience, in grades three, five, seven, and 11. The Writing Challenge helps students reflect on their personal writing process and progress, and it prepares them to meet the writing-heavy curricula of top-tier colleges and universities.

Finally, the MKA Core allows all students to explore specific works of enduring significance: diverse works of literature and art, music and dance, and history. Through this program, all students are guaranteed ac-cess to some of the world’s best works and concepts, helping them to understand some of humanity’s essen-tial foundations and aspirations. Selected as central, original, influential, timeless, and accessible, Core Works include Charlotte’s Web and The Nutcracker Ballet in Primary School; The Extraordinary Cases of Sherlock Holmes and The United States Constitution in Middle School; and Antigone and “Letter from a Birmingham City Jail” in Upper School.

student life

Students at MKA are part of a warm and inclusive community that allows for exploration of passions and intense involvement in every aspect of school life. A global experience permeates MKA’s culture, and the school collectively strives to “engage each student personally and intellectually with the world.” Through travel, Middle and Upper School students find themselves in the position to affect social and political change. They are thus encouraged to par-

ticipate in several unique trips, studying French and Spanish in France and Spanish-speaking countries; exploring Literary England; conducting service trips in Latin America; studying the cultural significance of Berlin, Prague, and Vienna; studying tradition and culture in China; exploring the history and culture of Italy; and conducting an exchange program with stu-dents in Chile.

In the classroom, students are supported by a dy-namic and innovative technology department. The use of technology is integral to instruction and learn-ing. MKA has been named an Apple Distinguished School for 2013-15 for its unique implementation of Apple technology in its 1:1 laptop learning initiative for grades four through 12 and iPads and laptops for grades PK-3. These tools, together with the role of student technology leaders and ongoing professional development, support teaching and learning at MKA.

Students are encouraged to share their talents on the playing fields and stages and in extracurricular clubs and activities. Students are involved in community service projects that range from tutoring at MKA’s partner school in Newark to building projects with Habitat for Humanity. Students can join clubs that speak to all interests, such as Creative Writing Club, Finance Club, Model UN, Robotics Club, and Pho-tography Club. Students can join a number of suc-cessful athletic teams; a no-cuts policy allows access for all interested students, and the goal of MKA’s ath-letics program is to develop student-athletes’ talents to the fullest and become the best team players they can be.


In the Upper School, students bond with their class-mates as part of MKA’s House System. Since 2007, all Upper School students and faculty have been di-vided into four houses: Bradley, Monjo, Strong, and Walden. The House System is designed to encourage healthy competition, foster friendships across grade levels, and enhance the sense of community at MKA.

adMissions and financial aidThe Admissions Department is responsible for recruit-ing talented students to join MKA’s warm, inclusive, and diverse community. A staff of six works diligent-ly to welcome new students and families to the MKA community, aided by 100 MKA parents who currently serve as Admissions Ambassadors. These ambassa-dors assist prospective families with any questions they may have about the MKA experience.

MKA is committed to a diverse student body as an essential component of the school’s well-being. The school’s financial aid program helps achieve levels of diversity by awarding tuition assistance grants to stu-dents in grades six through 12 with established finan-cial need. Requests for financial aid are confidential and not considered by the Admissions Committee; the

Financial Aid committee considers a request for aid only after a student has been recommended for admis-sion. Financial assistance is completely need based.

Physical caMPusThe MKA community learns and plays on three dis-tinct campuses in Montclair, New Jersey. 267,970 square feet of buildings stretch over 28 acres. The newest buildings, constructed in 2011-12 and 2013-14, respectively, include the Middle School Din-ing Room, Common Room, and Auditorium and the turfed athletic field and small field house. Athletic facilities include the Upper School’s Fairleigh Dick-inson Jr. Gymnasium, the Main Gymnasium on the Middle School Campus, Middle School Fields, the Montclair Clary Anderson Hockey Arena, Upper School Fields, a pool, tennis courts, track, and weight room. Arts facilities include the Peter R. Greer Arts Wing at the Upper School Campus, which features a sculpture studio, painting studio, band room, rehears-al rooms, and traditional and digital photography labs. The Weiss Gallery is adjacent to the studios and pro-vides a gallery space for students and exhibiting local artists. The Upper School also houses the recently renovated Weiss Auditorium, the black box Deetjen theater, a dance studio, and choral room. The Middle and Primary Schools, too, feature auditoriums, art and music rooms, and stages.


Montclair, new Jersey Rich with historic architecture, the suburban town of Montclair (incorporated in 1894) is home to a sophis-ticated, dynamic and diverse population. The area has a temperate climate, with warm summers and cool winters. The town is located on the first slope of the Watchung Mountains, from which residents can ex-perience scenic views of the New York City skyline. Located just 12 miles from New York City, Montclair is a bustling town that offers easy access for families who work in New York but want the convenience and comfort of suburban life.

Montclair is home to many artists and writers and fea-tures a wealth of art venues, including its own art mu-seum, art galleries, and two theaters. The town hosted its first annual film festival in 2012, and is well known for its abundance of first-class restaurants. The town is also home to several parks through which residents

can walk, bike, and jog. Public sports fields abound, and there are 18 public tennis courts, four skating rinks, and three swimming pools.

MKA values its location in Montclair and its role in this diverse, vibrant community. Of its 226 staff members, MKA employs 65 Montclair residents. The school invites the community to events held on-cam-pus, conducts community service initiatives within Montclair, and utilizes the services of many local vendors.

• The next Director will be passionate about the school, engaging, gracious and able to ensure that every family who visits the school experiences the warmth that is a hallmark of MKA.

• The Academy is looking for a Director who is in-novative, experienced, personable, resilient and resourceful.

• The next Director will possess excellent written and spoken communication skills.

• The next Director will be a team player, a collab-orative and creative problem-solver, a hard-work-er with the ability to multi-task, and someone with the interpersonal skills and professional training to positively engage with all members of a diverse school community, motivating their involvement

in admissions efforts.

• Data driven analysis and decision-making will be the norm for the new Director, and expertise with financial aid processes, as well as significant prior admissions and leadership experience in similar kinds of schools, is preferred.

• An advanced degree is preferred.

Qualifications and Qualities of the next director of adMissions and financial aid

Carney, Sandoe & aSSoCiateS44 Bromfield Street

BoSton, maSSaChuSettS 02108

Interested candidates should submit the following materials confidentially as separate PDF attachments in one email:

• Cover letter expressing interest in the Montclair Kimberley Academy position;

• Current resume;

• Statement of educational philosophy and practice;

• List of five references with name, phone number, and email address of each (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission).

Please send all materials to Fred Wesson of Carney, Sandoe & Associates.

to aPPly

fred wesson is a Senior Search Consultant with Carney, Sandoe & Associates. A graduate of Deerfield Academy, Fred went on to earn his B.A. from Yale University and his M.Ed. in schooling and school leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Ed-ucation. He was also a fellow at Klingenstein Teachers College, Columbia University, where he served as Associate Director from 2011-12. Fred has decades of experience leading independent and international schools, including as Head of School at Cana-dian Academy in Kobe, Japan, Head of School at Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Lima, Peru, and Head of American International School of Bucharest in Romania. As a member of the Carney, Sandoe & Associates Search Group, Fred has successfully placed Heads of School in the United States and abroad.Contact Fred at [email protected]

The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com9

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