Laboratory Schools: Dean of Student Success, High School

Department

Lab School High School

About the Department

At the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, students in Nursery through Grade 12 experience a world-class educational journey. Founded in 1896 by John Dewey as a place for educators to develop and explore novel approaches to pedagogy and curriculum, Lab continues to provide excitement and imagination in learning to this day. Academic rigor, experiential learning, and intellectual discourse are hallmarks of a Lab education. Lab educators are recognized for excellence in teaching and pride themselves on innovation in the classroom. Students in every grade have access to unparalleled resources, and all members of the Lab community benefit by partnerships and connections with the University of Chicago. Families who choose Lab care deeply about curiosity, inquiry, and creativity.

No less than scholarship, Lab’s mission prioritizes honoring diversity and exhibiting kindness. We are committed to building and supporting a teaching and learning community where young people see aspects of their backgrounds and identities reflected around them, where they feel a deep sense of belonging, and where they discover and use their voices to full effect. Today, 53-59 percent of Lab’s student body are students of color. Families report speaking nearly 40 different languages in their homes. Approximately 60 percent of Lab families are also affiliated with the University of Chicago. Half of our families live in Hyde Park, and the rest come from across Chicago, the suburbs, and northwestern Indiana. Inclusion is a fundamental value at Lab, such that we celebrate every facet of community members’ identities, and even where we disagree, we emphasize respect, civility, and maintaining a spirit of community.

Lab seeks the finest employees to join our vibrant learning community. We employ people with a wide range of skills and training in many different disciplines, who have in common a love of learning and the wish to inspire that same love of learning in young people. We seek candidates for employment who thrive in an educational environment. We provide a great professional home for those committed to collaboration, ongoing personal and professional growth, and cultivating positive relationships. In turn, we strive to ensure that Lab is a joyful, welcoming, and inspiring place to work. Through our connection to the University, faculty, staff, and administrators enjoy benefits and opportunities that would be nearly impossible to match in any other environment.

Job Summary

The Dean of Student Success plays a pivotal role in fostering the academic, social, and emotional development of students as they transition to U-High and navigate their high school journey, while discovering their own personal definition of success. This position ensures personalized support through progress monitoring; data collection and analysis; collaboration with the Learning and Counseling Team; and oversight of student transition and belonging initiatives, including Advisory and Summer Bridge, with particular attention to the onboarding of new-to-Lab and 9th grade students.

As a member of the high school administrative team (Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students), the Dean of Student Success partners with key stakeholders to cultivate a holistic understanding of students’ educational experiences, ensuring smooth transitions to high school and empowering students to thrive and reach their full potential.

Working in conjunction with the High School Principal, Assistant Principal, the Dean of Students, the Dean of Student Success works in close partnership with faculty to develop and implement effective ways to monitor and assess students’ academic progress. By drawing on multiple data points, the Dean helps identify patterns, address challenges, and explore strategies that support student achievement—ensuring that each student receives the guidance and resources needed to thrive academically.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Learning and Counseling team for individual students to monitor academic progress.

• Identify intervention strategies and coordinate support plans for students in need (i.e. Academic Support and Academic Intervention).

• Implement systems for tracking academic student progress using a proactive approach to anticipate challenges and identify school-wide trends, student needs and programming steps. 

• Collaborates with the Dean of Students' Office to analyze student attendance patterns, identifying trends and their correlation with academic performance to develop targeted support strategies.

• Together with the High School administration, coordinate with the Middle School to develop transition plans for students who require academic and/or social and emotional intervention. 

• Oversee the Summer Bridge program and support those faculty who provide the content for entering Grade 9 students.

• Assist with the integration of new-to-Lab students to U-High.

• Provide workshops at the Grade 9 retreat to help facilitate the transition to high school for all students in Grade 9.

• Co-facilitate the Grade 9 Seminar with the Dean of Students.

• Represent the high school administration on the high school admissions committee.

• Oversee the high school advisory program providing training and resources for to ensure meaningful student engagement and mentorship.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Academic Dishonesty and minor disciplinary infractions, as outlined in the Student and Family Handbook, while partnering closely with the Dean of Students to support a holistic approach to  student development.

• Collaborate with the Dean of Students and members of the assembly planning committee to create and implement meaningful programming that fulfills our mission of providing a school environment that prioritizes our theory of action where we recognize that each student thrives in an environment that nurtures their academic, social, emotional, and identity development.

• In collaboration with the Learning and Counseling Team and administrators, partner with teachers to support students on Academic Support, Academic Intervention, and Medical Leaves, addressing student needs and advancing strategies that promote academic growth and social-emotional well-being.

• Partner with the Principal, Dean of Students and other administrators, faculty and staff to provide targeted programming for U-High parents/guardians to assist them on their parenting journey with a teenager(s).

• Supports students, families, and faculty. Administers student services in the areas of extracurricular activities and programs, investigation and discipline. Administers communications systems between home and the school, including providing for parent conferences. Manages student personnel matters. Collaborates across divisions to ensure consistent implementation of process and policy related to student discipline, instructional support, academic programming and co-curricular activities.

• Build deep relationships with students, families, faculty and staff to foster a culture of community. Emanate optimism, solve problems collaboratively, reflect on how actions impact others, create an engaging and inclusive school culture, and share in the united pursuit of Lab’s mission.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education: 

• Master's degree in a related field.

Experience: 

• School leadership experience, preferably at the high school level.

• A minimum of three years experience in program development and leadership.

• A strong academic background and experience in adolescent development.

• Teaching experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Counseling experience. 

• A track record of collaboration, facilitation, team-building, and results.

• Excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Patience and excellent listening skills. 

• Analytical skills: Proficiency in the use of quantitative and qualitative data to assess results against improved student learning. 

• Supervisory skills.

• Knowledge of instructional methodologies. 

• Ability to develop and assess curricula, lesson plans and assessment tools.

• Decision-making skills.

• Attention to detail. 

• Organizational skills.

• Computational skills.

• Creativity. 

• Flexibility. 

• Interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Ability to manage stressful situations. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.

Working Conditions 

• Office environment. 

Application Documents 

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• Professional References (3) (required)

Job Family

Academic Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$89,246.00 - $115,500.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.