Lipscomb Academy - Head of School

Lipscomb Academy, a premier Christ-centered two-year-old through 12th-grade institution located in the thriving city of Nashville, Tennessee, invites nominations and applications for its next Head of School. This is a rare opportunity to lead a thriving and highly respected Christian school at a pivotal moment-poised to deepen its mission to be a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences, while advancing academic distinction and innovation.

The next Head of School will serve as the chief steward of Lipscomb Academy's Christ-centered identity, ensuring that faith is not simply present but fully integrated into every aspect of the school's culture, programs, and relationships. At the same time, this leader will elevate the Academy's position as a regional and national model of academic excellence, intellectual rigor, and forward-thinking education.

About Lipscomb Academy

Lipscomb Academy has been serving Middle Tennessean for over a century. It is a community of almost 1,500 students and 220 faculty and staff. It is ranked the #1 Christian school in Nashville by Niche.com. It exists to partner with families in providing a Christ-centered education that challenges students academically, nurtures spiritual growth, and prepares graduates for lives of purpose and leadership.

As part of Lipscomb University, the Academy benefits from unique institutional alignment, robust resources, and a strong commitment to excellence. Students can begin their journey at Lipscomb Academy's SEED School and continue through undergraduate, graduate and doctoral study, making Lipscomb a distinctive institution that serves students from age 2 to Ph.D.

Lipscomb Academy is known for its personalized and innovative approach to teaching and learning. The school has developed a customized approach to student scheduling and launched signature initiatives such as Endeavor for upper and middle school students seeking greater flexibility to pursue their passions, Paths of Distinction for upper school students interested in focused pre-career coursework, and Accelerate for self-motivated middle school students.

The Academy's strong academic outcomes reflect that commitment. In 2024-25, Lipscomb Academy kindergarten students ranked in the 90th percentile nationally in reading and math. In the Lower School, 86% of fifth-grade students met or exceeded grade-level expectations in math and 82% did so in English language arts. In Middle School, 92% of sixth-grade students met or exceeded expectations in math, compared to 72% across independent schools, and 87% met or exceeded expectations in reading. The Academy also serves students with exceptional needs through its Solly School. This school year it serves 11 students in PreK through fifth grades.

In the upper grades, Lipscomb Academy students continue to distinguish themselves. For the past seven years, the percentage of AP students scoring a 3 or higher on their exams has increased annually, and for the past six years, the school has set a new record each year with pass rates well above the national average. In 2025, 95% of Lipscomb Academy students who took an AP exam scored a 3 or higher. Since 2020, the Academy has also celebrated numerous National Merit honorees, including finalists, semifinalists and commended students.

Students also excel in the arts and athletics. In fine arts, Lipscomb Academy has produced four winners of the Congressional Art Competition for Tennessee's 5th District. Since 1988, the Academy chorus has been the only chorus in the state to qualify for and participate in every State Choral Festival, and all ensemble programs have built a strong record of success in their annual concert performance assessments. In athletics, Lipscomb Academy has won 69 team state championships and produced 82 individual state champions since 1962.

Lipscomb Academy's connection to Lipscomb University is one of its distinctive strengths, creating a seamless partnership that enriches teaching and learning from the earliest grades through high school. The connection with a thriving university community enhances the Academy experience by opening doors to collaboration, innovation and expanded learning opportunities that few independent schools can offer. From faculty support and academic enrichment to early exposure to college-level experiences and future career pathways, the University relationship strengthens the Academy's ability to prepare students for purposeful lives with confidence, curiosity and a strong sense of direction to prepare students for purposeful lives and for success in college and beyond.

The school has earned a reputation for:

• A deeply rooted Christian mission and community
• Strong college-preparatory academics and student outcomes
• A commitment to whole-child development
• A growing emphasis on innovation in teaching and learning

With continued enrollment strength and community support, Lipscomb Academy is well-positioned to build on its legacy while boldly pursuing its future.

Leadership Imperative: Christ-Centered Excellence

At the heart of this role is a defining conviction:

Christ-centered leadership is the foundation from which all excellence flows-spiritual, academic, relational, and organizational.

The next Head of School must embody and advance a model where:

• Faith and learning are fully integrated, not compartmentalized
• Academic rigor is pursued as an expression of stewardship and calling
• Innovation is guided by truth, wisdom, and mission clarity
• Community is shaped by grace, accountability, and shared purpose

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Strategic Leadership

• Articulate and advance a compelling vision for a distinctively Christ-centered, academically rigorous, and innovative school
• Lead the development and execution of a forward-looking strategic plan
• Ensure that mission, academic excellence, and innovation are aligned and mutually reinforcing
• Position Lipscomb Academy as a leader in Christian education regionally and nationally

Spiritual & Cultural Leadership

• Serve as the primary spiritual leader of the school, modeling an authentic and mature Christian faith
• Cultivate a culture marked by grace, truth, humility, and accountability
• Ensure that a biblical worldview informs curriculum, relationships, and institutional decision-making
• Champion the integration of faith and learning across all disciplines and experiences

Academic Excellence, Rigor & Innovation

• Lead the design and continuous improvement of a rigorous, college-preparatory two-year-old through 12th grade academic program
• Champion instructional excellence and the development of high-impact teaching practices
• Advance innovative programs and pedagogies, including interdisciplinary learning, experiential education, and emerging technologies
• Establish clear expectations and accountability for student achievement, program quality, and measurable outcomes
• Ensure graduates are prepared to think critically, lead faithfully, and engage the world with a Christian worldview

Team Leadership & Talen Development

• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional faculty and leaders who are committed to both discipleship and academic excellence
• Build a culture of professional growth, innovation, and shared mission ownership
• Lead with clarity, trust, and accountability across all levels of the organization

Community Engagement & Advancement

• Serve as the chief ambassador of Lipscomb Academy's mission and vision
• Build an internal culture of trust, respect and appreciation with faculty and staff
• Build strong relationships with families, alumni, donors, university leadership, and the broader community
• Be actively present and engaged across a wide range of school events and settings.
• Communicate clearly, consistently and proactively with all key constituents, positively representing Lipscomb Academy through emails, meetings, social media and other public-facing communications
• Partner with advancement efforts and serve as chief fundraising officer to strengthen philanthropic support and long-term sustainability by engaging with current and prospective donors
• Maintain a visible presence in classrooms, faculty and staff meetings, parent meetings and other key community gatherings
• Clearly articulate the value of a Christ-centered, academically excellent education

Governance & INstitutional Leadership

• Report directly to the President of Lipscomb University and collaborate closely with the Board of Trustees
• Serve as a member of the Lipscomb Executive Leadership Team
• Provide strategic insight, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of school leadership
• Ensure operational excellence across finance, enrollment, programs, and compliance

Candidate Profile

Spiritual & Personal Qualifications

• A vibrant and authentic Christian faith, with a life that reflects deep spiritual maturity and Christ-centered leadership
• Active membership in a Church of Christ
• A clear sense of calling to Christian education as ministry and vocation

Professional Experience

• 10-15 years of leadership experience in a school or educational setting
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing academic programs
• Experience advancing innovation, strategic growth, and organizational excellence

Core Competencies

The strongest candidates will demonstrate:

• Christ-Centered Leadership
  The ability to lead from a deeply rooted biblical foundation that shapes vision, culture, and decision-making
• Academic Vision & Excellence
  A track record of advancing rigor, student achievement, and program distinction
• Innovative Mindset
  Experience leading forward-thinking educational initiatives while maintaining mission fidelity
• Strategic Leadership
  The ability to think long-term, align resources, and execute effectively
• Relational Intelligence
  A gifted communicator and bridge-builder across diverse constituencies
• Cultural Stewardship
  The capacity to cultivate a thriving, mission-aligned, and values-driven community

Personal Characteristics

• Humble, servant-hearted leader with conviction and courage
• Wise and discerning decision-maker
• Relationally warm and approachable
• Mission-driven with a passion for developing young people intellectually and spiritually
• Be politically neutral, reflecting the 135-year commitment of the Academy to not be aligned with any political party or ideology, right or left; and capable of relating respectfully to families and students from many different demographic, socioeconomic, and spiritual backgrounds.

A Defining Opportunity

This role is more than institutional leadership-it is a calling to shape lives, influence culture, and advance the future of Christian education.

The next Head of School will have the opportunity to:

• Strengthen a deeply Christ-centered school culture
• Elevate academic excellence and national distinction
• Lead meaningful innovation in teaching and learning
• Inspire a community united around a shared mission of faith, truth, and purpose

Application Process

Nominations and applications are welcome and will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality.