ensworth school n , t h l s d 1, 2020 · of number sense, patterns, and even algebraic thinking....

Ensworth school

nashvillE, tEnnEssEEhEad of lowEr school

start datE: July 1, 2020www.Ensworth.com

ovErviEw

Ensworth School, in Nashville, Tennessee, is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school serving over 1,150 students. Ensworth was founded in the 1950’s when a group of Nashville parents sought to establish a school that would provide their children with an outstanding education in a positive, nurturing environment. The school — now housed on two campuses, one for Lower and Middle Schools and one for the High School — has grown steadily over the years into one of the region’s most impressive and respected independent schools.

One of Ensworth’s distinctions is its experienced, dedicated faculty who provide a progressive, skills-based curriculum and assess student performance in authentic, meaningful ways. Ensworth is dedicated to student academic achievement, social-emotional development, and community engagement in a genuinely inclusive environment. As a result, the school prepares students exceptionally well for success in college and beyond.

Ensworth seeks a dynamic leader as its next Head of Lower School starting July 2020. The successful candidate will be an experienced educational leader devoted to the school’s mission, vision, and program. Ensworth’s Head of Lower School serves as the academic leader for Grades K-5, fostering a climate of achievement and personal growth among students and faculty. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a division of a highly regarded, forward-thinking independent school with an unwavering commitment to student-centered learning and educational excellence.

2The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates [email protected] | www.carneysandoe.com

Mission StatementEnsworth is a kindergarten through twelfth grade, coeducational independent school. The School promotes academic excellence and inspires students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.

Vision StatementWe envision a school community dedicated to following the highest principles with the greatest love, as characterized by moral integrity, intellectual vitality, discipline, compassion, humor, and joy.

MottoIn Search of Truth


school history

Ensworth School opened in September 1958 with 152 students and 10 teachers spread across eight grades — all housed in a large Tudor-style home in Nashville. The school arose from the desire of several dedicated Nashville parents for an independent, coeducational school that would provide challenging academics, small classes, and a nurturing environment for elementary and middle school children.

Through the next three decades, Ensworth attracted more students, added facilities, and began development efforts. The generous support from the community enabled Ensworth to add a number of unique offerings and programs, while faculty-driven initiatives in technology integration and curriculum review strengthened the program. Capital campaigns enabled the school to renovate spaces and add new facilities, including an academic building for the Middle School, a library, and Frist Hall, a venue dedicated to music education, performances, and special events. A new Athletic Center was also built on the Lower/Middle School Campus.

In 2002, the board of trustees voted to expand Ensworth and establish a High School on the former Devon Farm, a historic property spanning 127 acres southwest of downtown Nashville and seven miles from the Lower/Middle School Campus. The High School opened in August 2004.

In recent years, Ensworth has continued to demonstrate its commitment to excellence. Under the leadership of David Braemer, who was named Head of School in 2012, there have been ongoing developments in both program and facilities. These include an expanded fifth-grade program and a growing total enrollment, the creation of a four-year college counseling model, additional opportunities for advanced study, the opening of a state-of-the-art natatorium, the building of an indoor tennis center, and the renovation of the dining hall on the Lower/Middle School Campus.

Fast FactsYear established: 1958Total enrollment: 1,156 Students (Lower School: 426, Middle School: 264, High School: 466)Student/teacher ratio: 7:1 Faculty with advanced degrees: 75% Percent of students of color: 22%Percent of students receiving aid: 15%Endowment: $72 million

Diversity, Equity, andInclusion StatementIn order to realize the goals of our Mission and Vision, Ensworth must actively strive to be a diverse and inclusive community of learners that engages collectively In Search of Truth. The presence of different perspectives and life experiences plays a vital role in the development of our students, enhancing classroom and extracurricular experiences in meaningful ways. As a school, we are committed to cultivating an environment in which all members of the Ensworth community experience a true sense of belonging and are empowered to be active participants in the life of the school. These efforts are essential if we are to foster the growth of all students in line with their potential, and to equip them for lives of purpose that extend far beyond their time at Ensworth.


thE school

With its motto, “In Search of Truth,” Ensworth is dedicated to student-centered learning. From the Lower School to the High School, the faculty work tirelessly to inspire students to be intellectually curious, to use their talents to the fullest, to be people of integrity, and to be contributors to society.

Ensworth has an exceptional reputation for strength in academics, athletics, the arts, and community life. The school is intentionally coeducational, based on the conviction that coeducation improves the ways students think, learn, and collaborate. It believes children are able to develop confidence, empathy, understanding, and leadership among both genders as they navigate the challenges of academic and social and emotional growth together. As a result, Ensworth graduates stand out for their depth of knowledge, confidence, and poise.

acadEmics

In Ensworth’s Lower School, students in kindergarten through fifth grade develop confidence, character, and a love for learning. Through close partnership with families, teachers work to understand, guide, and nurture their students. By celebrating and encouraging areas of strength while addressing those needing development, teachers and parents work together on behalf of each child. Skills in reading, writing, and mathematics are the solid foundation for future academic achievement, but the Lower School experience only begins there. Ensworth’s distinct skills-based curriculum is centered around its unique Core Skills: to collaborate, to communicate, to observe, to question, to speculate and hypothesize, to evaluate, and to apply knowledge. The teaching and learning process across all disciplines is guided by the Core Skills, creating a continuum of growth and development that spans the entire Ensworth student experience.


The English curriculum in Lower School is designed to nurture a love for reading and writing and improve each student’s aptitude and confidence in these areas. As students move through the grades, age-appropriate reading and writing skills are introduced and students grow in their ability to express their creative thoughts. The study of literature and poetry is included in fifth grade.

The primary focus of world language instruction in Lower School is the development of the essential linguistic skills needed for meaningful communication in a target language. Chinese and Spanish classes meet twice during each schedule rotation for all grades. Students also learn about the history and culture of communities that speak Chinese and Spanish.

Social studies concepts and themes are developed in Lower School and woven into other subject areas such as in the literature they read. From learning to recognize and appreciate the differences and similarities they have with children from other countries in the younger grades, to focusing on the study of the State of Tennessee in third grade and American history and government in fifth grade, Lower School sets the stage for students to ask questions, seek answers, and think critically about the world around them.

The Ensworth science curriculum strives to inculcate students with the skills needed to master the scientific method. Students in all grades study biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science in ways tailored to their developmental level to help them understand the interconnectedness of these topics while developing their lab skills for the later grades. The Discovery Lab is instrumental in acclimating students to a lab setting as they perform experiments, use math to manipulate and analyze collected data, and practice the organizational and writing skills needed to communicate their conclusions.


Of note is the Singapore Math curriculum in Lower School, which is based on intellectual curiosity with number sense. The model drawing used in Singapore Math, introduced to students in Grade 1, allows them to see the patterns and relationships between numbers when solving real-world math examples. This approach appeals to a wide variety of learning styles and encourages students to think deeply and accurately about numbers and how they convey meaning. The teaching of Singapore Math challenges students to go beyond rote learning of math and deeper into a true understanding of number sense, patterns, and even algebraic thinking.

Life Class is a unique component of the Ensworth curriculum. Each grade emphasizes the characteristics and skills important for living together in a learning community. Life students develop an understanding of their relationships to others and their personal responsibility for their actions. Topics range from acceptable behavior on campus and on field trips, to making good decisions, making healthy choices, using words appropriately, and navigating peer pressure, to name a few.

Lower School students use technology as a natural extension of their day as they research, explore, write, present, and create. The Instructional Technology Specialist assists teachers and students with technology use and integration into the curriculum. A variety of devices such as iPads, digital cameras, laptop carts, and a laptop lab are all available to Lower School students. In fifth grade, students are provided their own laptop for in-school use.


arts and Physical Education

Ensworth students have many avenues through which to explore the creative process, embrace imagination, and cultivate an appreciation for fine arts. In Lower School visual arts, students are introduced to the use of various materials that are age appropriate for each grade and learn about artists and their individual work. Students are actively engaged in personal expression with the positive reinforcement and encouragement of their art teacher.

In the performing arts, students explore fundamental music concepts and continue to develop their singing, performance, and listening skills as they progress through the grades. The students are given opportunities to play a variety of musical instruments and to appear in performances. Choral music is offered in fourth grade, and in fifth grade, each student participates in a beginner band. In both of these areas, the students grow in their ability to develop their musical skills under the tutelage and guidance of their teachers.

Physical education in Ensworth’s Lower School begins in kindergarten with the development of psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills. Students practice good manners while participating in activities that promote fine and gross motor skills. Later in Lower School, daily physical education classes build on the skills and knowledge gained from previous years with challenging games and exercises. Students focus on skills, fundamentals, and the teamwork aspects of sports, teaching them to enjoy fitness and promoting a lifetime love.

studEnt lifE

Ensworth promotes a highly active Service Learning program from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Often employing interdisciplinary approaches that build on academic skills, students design and carry out projects that enhance their understanding and compassion for society, with needs ranging from environmental concerns to housing and hunger. Each grade level identifies and carries out at least one service learning project each year that benefits the greater Nashville community. Ensworth’s goal is to be known as a school that reaches beyond itself to its broader community, that embraces service opportunities, and that serves as a leader in the national educational community.

At the Lower School level, a variety of clubs and after-school activities are available for students to discover and develop their talents. Offerings include Chess Club, School of Dance, music lessons, Singing Tigers, STEM programs, Swim School, and Tiger Beat.

camPus

Ensworth School is divided into two campuses. The original Tudor-style Lower/Middle School Campus, known as the Red Gables Campus, is located close to the center of Nashville. The High School Campus, known as the Frist Campus, is seven miles away on the former Devon Farm, a historic property spanning 127 acres adjacent to Edwin Warner Park and the Little Harpeth River.

A $60 million capital campaign led to the construction of the High School in 2004. The resulting campus earned nationwide honors for architecture from the Boston Society of Architects and “American School and University” magazine. The facilities include a 684-seat theater for the performing arts; top-notch athletic facilities, including an aquatic center, an indoor-outdoor tennis center, and golf training facility;



state-of-the-art classrooms; a library with an impressive collection of books, subscription databases, research tools, and more; and thoughtfully designed common areas that encourage collaborative work and ensure regular interaction among faculty and students.

Plans are currently underway for the construction of a new Lower School building to be added to the Red Gables Campus with construction slated to begin in 2020. Plans for the building include collaborative grade level classroom pods with 40% larger classrooms, interactive maker areas, and modern science labs. The addition of the facility will allow existing classroom space to be repurposed to provide dedicated world language classrooms and a new home for after school programs.

nashvillE, tEnnEssEE

The fact that Nashville has so many nicknames — including Music City, U.S.A. and the Athens of the South — is a sign of the city’s economic health and cultural diversity. It is the capital of Tennessee with a population of just under 700,000, which earns its rank as the 24th-largest city in the United States. In March 2012, a Gallup poll ranked Nashville as one of the top five regions for job growth. In 2013, Nashville was described as “Nowville” and “It City” by the New York Times and ranked No. 5 on Forbes’ list of the Best Places for Business and Careers. In 2017, Nashville’s economy was deemed the third fastest growing in the nation.

As the “home of country music,” Nashville not only has a storied past, it has also grown into a major music recording center — the second largest in the U.S. after New York City. A number of the top record labels have offices here, as do numerous independent labels. Nashville has also been the headquarters of the famed Gibson guitar company since 1984.


The city, of course, is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Grand Ole Opry. A multitude of clubs and bars in downtown Nashville also feature some of the top current musicians. But Nashville’s vibrant music and entertainment scene actually spans a variety of genres. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center is the home of the Nashville Repertory Theatre, the Nashville Opera, and the Nashville Ballet. In 2006, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center opened as the home of the Nashville Symphony.

Though Nashville is renowned as a music and tourist destination, its largest industry is health care. Nashville is home to more than 300 health care companies, including Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the world’s largest private operator of hospitals. More than a dozen Fortune 500 companies also have offices in Nashville. The city is home to a number of top colleges and universities including Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Fisk University, Lipscomb University, and Tennessee State University.

Nashville’s history, varied economy, thriving tourism, vibrant educational institutions, and affordable living make the city one of the top places in the nation to live and work today.


oPPortunitiEs and challEngEs

The next Head of Lower School will arrive at Ensworth at a time of excitement about the construction of a new Lower School building, new goals and directions clarified by a completed accreditation process, and positive momentum created by a joyful faculty focused on a warm and collaborative learning environment. This is a remarkable opportunity for a new Head of Lower School to lead a close-knit community in which progressive and innovative pedagogy is embraced, opportunities for professional development are generous, and the student experience is multi-faceted and produces well-rounded individuals. With the support of an outstanding Head of School, the next Head of the Lower School will be charged with the following areas for leadership:

• Providing a nurturing, warm, and safe learning environment that celebrates students and prepares them for lifelong learning

• Creating opportunities for greater faculty collaboration, support, and oversight• Ensuring that the Lower School curriculum continues to align with 21st century skill development,

is reviewed and strengthened regularly with innovative initiatives, and prepares students for success

• Contributing to a school-wide leadership team to represent and be responsive to the needs of the Lower School

• Assessing and addressing the learning support needs for an increasingly diverse student body.• Determining the optimal administrative structure for the Lower School• Ensuring that positive momentum focusing on innovation and improvement over the past decade

is celebrated and continuing


dEsirEd QualitiEs and Qualifications

• An experienced educational leader with experience focused on K-5• A leader with imagination, vision, and energy who delights in children• A decisive leadership style together with authentic listening skills• A visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit• Enthusiasm for progressive ideas and 21st century innovation in pedagogy and informed about

curriculum and instruction• Emotional intelligence with an ability to connect with a variety of people and age groups• Intentionality about continuing to create and support a diverse community• An articulate communicator who can promote the Lower School in admissions and development• An ability to engender inspiration and optimism• A leader who will work to build a collaborative culture among the faculty and across divisional

lines

to aPPly

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials: • A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;• A current résumé;• A one-page statement of educational philosophy and practice;• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each

(references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to: Beth Dietz Senior [email protected]

Marguerite LloydSenior [email protected]

ensworth school n , t h l s d 1, 2020 · of number sense, patterns, and even algebraic thinking....

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