Job Description

Reports To: Board of Directors

About Tempe Preparatory Academy

Tempe Preparatory Academy (TPA) is a leading classical charter school in Tempe, Arizona. Founded in 1996, TPA is a traditional liberal arts school with small classes, a student/teacher ratio of 10 to 1, and an advanced core curriculum designed for college-bound students. The mission of TPA is to educate students for the lifelong pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. The TPA graduate has a foundation in the liberal arts of grammar and rhetoric, logic and mathematics, history, natural science, and philosophy. The graduate has also practiced the fine arts of music, poetry, drawing and painting, and drama. The graduate is thus prepared for every career, every course of advanced or specialized study, and every kind of leisure. In short, the TPA graduate is ready to live the lifetime of learning that creates the richest human life possible.

Position Overview

Tempe Preparatory Academy seeks a mission-driven and dynamic Headmaster to lead the school into its next chapter. The Headmaster serves as the chief executive and academic leader, responsible for safeguarding and advancing TPAs classical identity while breathing new life and joy into the school community. At this pivotal time, the Headmaster will unify academics and student life, steward the strong foundation of financial and operational health already in place; foster a culture of joy and high standards; and inspire faculty, families, and students around a shared vision of excellence. The Headmaster must be both a public ambassador and an attentive steward of TPAs distinctive mission and tradition.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion TPAs classical curriculum and ensure alignment with the schools mission across instruction, grading, and classroom culture.
• Approach school culture-building in a systematic and strategic way, ensuring that every aspect of student experience reflects the joy, beauty, and seriousness of classical education.
• Provide mentorship and professional development for faculty through a structured feedback and coaching cycle, elevating instructional quality and morale.
• Cultivate a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and shared intellectual purpose among teachers and staff.
• Build trust and transparency with families; strengthen parent-school partnership through clear, regular, and substantive communication.
• Serve as a visible and compelling advocate for TPAs mission with prospective families, donors, and community partners.
• Collaborate closely with operations staff and the board to maintain clear policies, effective systems, and sustainable growth.

Competencies & Character

Essential Competencies

• Deep philosophical commitment to classical education and experience implementing its principles in a school setting.
• Visionary and creative problem-solver; entrepreneurial spirit with a track record of leading successful initiatives.
• Skilled in hiring, faculty development, evaluation, and conflict resolution.
• High-level communication: articulate, attentive listener, and effective public representative.
• Operational fluency and financial acumen, especially within a charter school context.
• Able to lead through change, build buy-in, and unite a diverse school community.

Key Character Traits

• Gravitas and moral clarity balanced by warmth, humility, and joy.
• High emotional intelligence; able to navigate complex community dynamics with diplomacy.
• Resilient, adaptable, and willing to address challenges directly and constructively.
• Relational and approachable; inspires trust and goodwill.
• Strategic and intentional in culture-building and school leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• 5+ years of leadership experience in education, ideally within a classical, liberal arts, or mission-driven charter school setting.
• Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant field required.
• Working knowledge of classical curriculum and pedagogy.
• Experience in faculty development, curriculum leadership, and school administration.
• Strong project management and operational skills.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your alignment with TPAs mission and your vision for leading the school into its next chapter to Grace Liffrig, Lead Recruiter: gliffrig@arcadiaed.com OR apply directly here .

TEMPE PREPARATORY ACADEMY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. AS A 501 (C) (3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NON-SECTARIAN, PUBLICLYFUNDED CHARTER SCHOOL, TPA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE IN ITS ENROLLMENT OR HIRING PRACTICES ON THE BASIS OF GENDER, RACE, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN OR DISABILITY. TAX ID #86-0824869. TEMPE PREPARATORY ACADEMY SCHOOL DISTRICT #078761000.

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