About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is an independent PK-12 day school with ~240 students located in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon.  The school was founded in 2003 and resides on an award-winning 45-acre campus located on the Deschutes River. The school’s unique mission weaves challenging academics with experiential learning within an engaged, vibrant community.

Cascades Academy values employees who are committed to our mission, are prepared to engage fully in a learning community, and are excited to bring their authentic selves to work. Cascades Academy’s culture is highly collaborative and puts what is best for students at the center of the work. Regularly named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon, our faculty and staff see each other as teammates and feel motivated to do their best work here. 

Cascades Academy strives to cultivate and maintain a supportive, inclusive community for all employees and actively promotes a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and are eager to consider applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in independent school communities.

Position Summary

As a member of the Student Support Team and reporting to the Director of Counseling & Student Support, this person will be a key leader in the Middle and Upper School Divisions while taking on a handful of PreK-12 community-wide initiatives. This position will play an integral role in encouraging, supporting, and supervising student growth and development for each division, and is an essential advocate and leader in the daily lives of our student body. 

Working closely with Division Heads and the Academic Leadership Team, the Dean of Students helps set the tone for a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging school culture that supports and advances our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and belonging.

The ideal candidate for this position is a positive, proactive, and collaborative leader who can navigate the dynamic needs of middle and upper school students, engaging in all aspects of student life (advisory, clubs, discipline, school culture, community engagement, etc). Additionally, this role demands adaptability, strong communication skills, and a passion for working with adolescents in both academic and experiential learning environments, ensuring that students thrive in and beyond the classroom. This position operates at the core of the student experience and plays a critical role in upholding the school’s vision of cultivating engagement, building community, and inspiring goodness.

Community Building, Leadership, and Traditions

• Coordinate and enhance the Middle and Upper School Advisory Program through social-emotional learning curriculum development and offer support/direction to advisors
• Serve as the faculty lead with the Middle and Upper School student leadership groups, facilitating weekly meetings in their respective divisions and supporting the students in delivering various school initiatives
• Coordinate and lead division-specific social activities including MS/US dances (with the support of respective student groups), monthly US social events such as US Fall Fest, Hoodoo night skiing, etc.
• Partner with the Director of Enrollment to oversee the 8th-9th grade retention strategy including enhancing MS/US school engagement opportunities and leading the high school choice counseling program
• Coordinate and execute the K-12 Campus Buddy Program
• Coordinate and lead all-school assemblies, spirit days, and partner with Division Heads for weekly MS/US community gatherings
• Partner with the Lower School Division Head to create leadership opportunities for 5th grade students

School Culture, Discipline, and Student Support

• Co-lead weekly student support meetings at each division in collaboration with division heads, the Director of Counseling and Student Support, and the school’s Learning Support Coordinator to identify and remedy behavioral and/or academic concerns among students
• Lead the disciplinary process in the Middle and Upper School divisions, working closely with division heads, advisors, and the Director of Counseling & Student Support on restorative justice practices, growth plans, communication with parents and guardians, and an accountability tracking system
• Serve as a member of the school’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and partner with the Director of Counseling & Student Support to coordinate affinity groups for students and faculty/staff 
• Monitor attendance and communicate with necessary constituencies
• In collaboration with the division heads, create and monitor a faculty duty schedule and relevant expectations for Middle and Upper School faculty teams, while taking on supervision responsibilities within each division as needed

Student Clubs & Co-Curriculars

• Partner with division heads to coordinate and manage current MS/US club and co-curricular offerings ensuring program cohesion and alignment
• Lead future expansion of co-curricular offerings in such as programs as robotics, mock trial, performing arts and outdoor program thus optimizing student student engagement and program offerings
• Provide administrative support to hallmark programs such as the winter sports program, service learning opportunities, and other programs that promote a vibrant student life

Teaching & Program Leadership

• Co-teach the 9th grade “Self 101” with the Director of Counseling & Student Support
• Provide 6th grade MS Life classroom and curriculum support as needed
• Provide additional classroom/student support as needed
• Attend Middle & Upper School Confluence student retreats in the fall semester to deliver onboarding and culture/system orientation programming for new and returning students
• Co-lead 1 Fall MS or US Traveling School trip (five days)
• Co-lead 1 Spring US Traveling School trip (eight-nine days)
• Participate in off-campus programming as needed, such as winter sports, electives, impact programs, and field trips

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in teaching, student affairs, student life, or a related field, preferably in an independent school setting
• Deep understanding of adolescent development,  social-emotional learning, and student engagement strategies
• Experience managing student conduct and implementing restorative justice practices with fairness and integrity
• Experience working with diverse student populations and fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive school environment
• Expert relationship builder and effective communicator with outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Strong leadership, organizational, and program development skills with the ability to implement systems and drive program evolution and lasting change
• Exhibit timeliness and persistence in following up with students, parents, and colleagues across a range of projects
• Highly visible and engaged presence in student life, including during school hours, events, and key transition times
• Proficiency with educational technology platforms such as Google Suite and Microsoft Office
• Desire to participate in outdoor and experiential learning programs; outdoor program leadership and trip-leading experience preferred
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) / Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification preferred
• Ability to drive a 14-passenger bus (training provided)

Position Details

Application Instructions

To apply, please complete the application on our website, including your resume, cover letter, and at least 1 letter of recommendation. No phone calls, please.

It is the policy of Cascades Academy to provide equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental impairment, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other status protected by applicable law. Specifically, employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, abilities and training; advancement is and shall be based on the individual’s achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion.

About Cascades Academy

Cascades Academy is a PK-12 independent school located in Bend, OR.

Connections working at Cascades Academy