ISACS, COGNIA, ACSI

Total Student Body: 599 student

Meet Southfield Christian School

Southfield Christian School (SCS) is a premier, Christ-centered, college-preparatory educational community serving students Preschool through 12th grade in Southfield, Michigan (Metro Detroit). Founded on September 9, 1970, as a direct ministry of GraceWay Bible Church (formerly Highland Park Baptist Church), SCS holds a rich 50-year heritage of equipping young men and women to live full, productive lives for the glory of God.

Operating under the foundational motto "Pursuing Excellence for the Glory of God... with Our Minds, with Our Talents, with Our Lives" SCS integrates rigorous college-prep academics, daily spiritual formation, competitive athletics, and vibrant fine arts into a loving, family-oriented campus culture.

A Distinctive, Gospel-Centered Multicultural Community:

SCS stands out for many reasons. Families choose SCS for it’s uncompromising academic standards, warm community, and intentional commitment to cultural competency, helping most students earn academic scholarships and attend top universities across the country.

Diversity at SCS:

SCS serves a richly diverse student body that reflects a broad range of racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Current enrollment includes approximately 64% African American students, 22% Caucasian students, 5% African American/Caucasian students, 5% multiracial students, 2% African American/Hispanic students, 1% Hispanic students, and 1% Asian students. This diversity is central to the school's identity and mission and represents one of its greatest strengths.

The ideal Head of School will embrace and celebrate the diversity of the SCS community, demonstrate strong cultural competence, and foster a welcoming environment where all students, families, faculty, and staff experience a sense of belonging and purpose. SCS seeks a leader who will build upon this strong foundation by promoting cross-cultural understanding, expanding equitable opportunities for student success, and ensuring that diversity continues to be a source of strength, excellence, and community engagement throughout the school.

About the Head of School

The Head of School serves as the chief educational, administrative, and spiritual executive officer of Southfield Christian School, a ministry of GraceWay Bible Church. Working in close alignment with GraceWay, the Head of School is responsible for advancing a Christ-centered, College Preparatory education that is committed to growing disciples for Jesus Christ and pursuing excellence for the glory of God.

Southfield Christian School is seeking a visionary, spiritually mature, experienced educator to lead the institution into its next era of growth and impact. The next Head of School will serve as the executive leader of the institution, unifying a dedicated staff across all divisions, strengthening the vital bridge between the school and GraceWay Bible Church, cultivating cultural competency across our diverse community, and driving strategic growth.

The Head of School's responsibilities include:

• Spiritual Leadership: Provides spiritual direction to the school and carries out its Christian mandate in every phase of work. Embodies the mission to Pursue Excellence for the Glory of God with our Minds, Talents, and Lives. Ensures a biblical worldview undergirds instruction, student life, discipline, and policy. Oversees Bible education, chapel, service, and spiritual life programming. Strengthens faculty professionally and spiritually, cultivating a Christ-centered culture.
• Vision & Strategic Planning: Leads administration, faculty, and Board in identifying needs and planning for school improvement. Drives decisions consistent with SCS's mission and strategic objectives. Uses data to evaluate programs, facilities, and services, preparing short- and long-range plans for the Board. Pursues innovation, including educational technology. 
• Academic & Instructional Leadership: Provides curricular oversight and instructional leadership of the PK–12 program in partnership with Division Principals. Sets a standard of excellence supporting academic, spiritual, and personal growth.
• Ensures aligned curriculum, standards, and benchmarks with biblical worldview integration across all grades. Supports teachers through curriculum review, testing data, and intervention/extension programs. Coordinates Title II, Title IV, and referral processes with Southfield Public Schools. Leads ISACS accreditation and maintains professional standing. Maintains membership in ACSI to support excellence in Christian education. 
• Administration & Personnel: Oversees the administration, personnel, and operations of the school. Supervises the executive administrative team and coordinates the total school program. Recruits, develops, and retains qualified, spiritually sound, and diverse faculty and staff. Develops operating and personnel policies, maintains a safe, orderly climate, and ensures regulatory compliance.
• Financial Stewardship & Advancement: Develops, allocates, and stewards the school's financial resources. Oversees budgeting, forecasting, and reporting with the Director of Finance, ensuring deficits are not incurred. Maintains a competitive faculty salary scale. Leads development and fundraising efforts, including annual giving, planned giving, and donor relationships, with a goal of securing $500,000 in philanthropic support within the first three years and sustaining annual fundraising targets of $250,000-$300,000 thereafter (including year-end campaigns and targeted giving strategies).
• Board Relations: Builds a strong, healthy partnership with the School Board. Works with the Board Chair on agendas, meeting preparation, and administrative reports. Orients new Board members and helps identify and fill open positions with the GBC Nominating Committee.
• Communications, Enrollment & Community: Ensures accurate, timely communication with families, alumni, area churches, and the public. Partners with Admissions & Communications to grow enrollment consistent with spiritual and academic standards (expanding High School toward 200+). Oversees marketing, media relations, alumni, and Parent-Teacher Fellowship. Represents SCS to local schools, the City of Southfield, and the regional Christian community.
• Church Relationship: Serves as the primary liaison between SCS and GraceWay Bible Church. Fosters the school–church relationship and maintains steady communication with GBC pastoral staff and Senior Pastor.
• Constituency Relationships: Balances and communicates effectively with staff, faculty, Board, parents, students, Parent-Teacher Fellowship, GWBC, metro Detroit Christian community, ACSI, ISACS, alumni, donors, Endowment Trust Committee, City of Southfield, and Southfield Public Schools.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Head of School:

Education and Experience

• Master's degree or Advanced degree in Educational Leadership (Required). 
• 5-10 years of Christian School leadership / administrative experience required, including budget oversight.
• 5-10 years of classroom teaching experience with demonstrated curriculum, instruction, and assessment experience required .
• Broad knowledge of private/Christian school administration - highly preferred.
• Experience in a Christian school environment with an integrated biblical worldview.
• Previous successful experience leading in a diverse educational environment.
• Previous successful experience creating a culture of giving? For fundraising purposes. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possesses a deep love for Jesus Christ and a vibrant, mature commitment to spiritual formation and discipleship.
• Is an active member of GraceWay Bible Church (or committed to becoming one upon hire), in full agreement with its Statement of Faith, Vision, and Mission.
• Is a culturally competent leader who values the God-given dignity of every person and actively advances a gospel-centered vision of belonging and diversity.
• Creates a shared vision that fosters trust and engagement among faculty, staff, students, parents, and the broader SCS community.
• Embodies a 'low fences' servant leadership style, demonstrating humility, approachability, perseverance, and a willingness to work alongside others, while exercising calm, courageous decision-making ability in the face of adversity.    
• Demonstrates strong instructional leadership, capable of guiding certified, high-performing teachers toward measurable academic rigor and biblical worldview integration.
• Brings executive operational competency, managing budgets and handling fundraising
• Communicates clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, demonstrating high emotional intelligence (EQ), professionalism, and grace, particularly in sensitive or conflict-prone situations.
• Plans realistically, uses data to evaluate programs and drive school improvement, and maintains high academic and behavioral standards.
• Passionate advocate for Christian education who builds regional church and community relationships to strengthen SCS's reputation and high school enrollment growth.

What it's like to live in Oakland County, MI

Oakland County, Michigan, offers an appealing combination of suburban living, family-friendly communities, and convenient access to the opportunities of Metro Detroit. As one of the region’s most established and diverse areas, Oakland County features abundant parks, nature preserves, walking and cycling trails, golf courses, sports facilities, and outdoor recreation. Families have access to a wide range of educational options, including public, private, charter, parochial, and specialized schools, with Southfield Christian School providing a Christ-centered, college-preparatory education from Pre-K through 12th grade. The county also offers excellent restaurants, shopping, community events, arts and entertainment, professional sports, museums, concerts, and activities for all ages. Communities such as Birmingham, Royal Oak, Troy, Novi, and Rochester Hills each offer their own unique character, amenities, and lifestyle options, while Detroit’s cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities remain easily accessible. For a family considering a move, Oakland County provides a variety of welcoming communities, strong educational opportunities, abundant recreation, and the convenience of living near everything Metro Detroit has to offer.