Our School and Community
Ezra Academy seeks a dedicated, enthusiastic, and collaborative Head of School to lead our outstanding pluralistic Jewish day school, starting in summer 2025. Founded in 1966, Ezra Academy has earned a reputation for excellence in secular and Judaic education. Our nurturing community comprises more than 100 students and 30 faculty and staff. The youngest students attend our Montessori Preschool and Kindergarten program, led by its own director under the supervision of the Head of School, while older students attend the Lower School (grades 1–4) and Upper School (grades 5–8).
Our dedicated and experienced teachers, multi-age classrooms, and progressive educational philosophy focus on the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of each individual child. Ezra’s mixed-grade model supports differentiated learning within each classroom. Beginning in sixth grade, students participate in experiential education with a cohort of students from other Jewish day schools, including visits to major sites of the civil rights movement; Washington, DC; and Israel (when possible) or another international Jewish community.
Ezra graduates thrive at a wide range of independent, Jewish, and public high schools. Recent graduates have attended colleges and universities including Brandeis University, the University of Connecticut, the University of Michigan, Middlebury College, New York University, Oberlin College, Yale University, Tufts University, and many others.
Ezra Academy has a Flexible Tuition Program so that we can welcome all Jewish children into K–8th grades regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. To uphold this commitment, our professional and lay leaders work exceptionally hard to raise an extraordinary amount of money every year. Our new Head of School will have the challenge and opportunity of reassessing and refocusing our efforts in this critical area, in consultation with hardworking lay leaders.
Our school is located in Woodbridge, CT, a leafy suburb of New Haven. We are two hours from New York City and just over two hours from Boston, with direct train service to both cities. Our location provides access to the outstanding educational resources of Yale University in New Haven as well as the beautiful Connecticut countryside. Ezra students can supplement their in-class science and social studies learning with visits to Yale’s world-class museums, then celebrate Sukkot with apple picking at a local orchard.
Ezra Academy has a strong, involved parent, board, and alumni community featuring scientists, lawyers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, full-time caregivers, Jewish professionals, faculty at Yale and other local universities, and many others. Every year, Ezra welcomes Israeli families on short- or long-term stays in Connecticut, an integral part of our community that has increased over the last year. Our vibrant local synagogues and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven are strong partners for our school.
Mission Statement
The mission of Ezra Academy is to educate Jewish children within a nurturing community to become independent lifelong learners, committed and knowledgeable Jews, and responsible, caring citizens.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have all or most of the following attributes:
- Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence.
- Knowledge of Judaism and ability to serve as a Jewish role model, along with respect for Jewish pluralism and the spectrum of observance and belief in our community.
- Record of successful leadership in a Jewish day school, independent school, or public school, or in a comparable educational setting.
- Ability to build relationships with faculty and staff that are both collaborative and supervisory.
- Experience and comfort with financial and personnel management, fundraising, and marketing.
- Outstanding ability to communicate Ezra Academy’s mission and represent the school in the wider community, as well as to communicate effectively with stakeholders (parents, faculty/staff, board, alumni, and donors).
- Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks. Experience with strategic planning.
- Empathy, energy, positive attitude, and devotion to educating the whole child.
Apply
The annual salary for this role starts at $140,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The search is being managed by Prizmah Center for Jewish Day Schools. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Amy Wasser, Senior Director of School Services, at [email protected].