Ada Christian School HOS OP

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE

HEAD OF SCHOOL

ADA, MICHIGAN

www.jobfitmatters.com

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GREETINGS

Dear Prospective Head of School Candidate,

On behalf of the Head of School Search Committee and the Ada Christian Board of Trustees, I

want to thank you for your interest in Ada Christian School. We hope this Opportunity Profile will

provide you with an understanding of the mission of Ada Christian School, as well as the key

qualities and characteristics we are seeking in our next Head of School.

The Ada Christian School community has seen God’s faithfulness since ACS’s founding nearly

75 years ago through the present-day blessings of dedicated faculty, healthy enrollment growth,

and well-rounded excellence in academics, outdoor education, and faith formation. As we look to

our future, Ada Christian School seeks a Head of School who will provide leadership and vision

to build upon the strong legacy of the school and the success that has been derived through

steadfast prayer and supplication.

Thank you for your consideration of this vitally important position at Ada Christian School. We

understand this is a decision for you and your family to join our community. We encourage you to

read through this Opportunity Profile and to further explore our website for additional information.

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please reference the Process of Candidacy page

to begin the application process. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Coverstone or

Ed Poff (615-261-4623), the JobfitMatters Consultants who are assisting Ada Christian School in

this search.

Sincerely,

John Kuiper

President, Board of Trustees

Chair, Head of School Search Committee

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OVERVIEW

Located in the thriving community of Ada, Michigan near Grand Rapids, Ada Christian School (ACS)

is a Preschool–8th grade school serving 705 students from more than sixty area churches across

greater Grand Rapids. For nearly 75 years, ACS has equipped students for service in God’s world

by integrating academic excellence with a distinctively Christian perspective. The school is located

on a beautiful 36-acre campus that includes wooded trails, gardens, and an Outdoor Education

Center that brings learning to life through hands-on exploration of God’s creation.

ACS is known for its exceptional teachers, warm and connected community, and rich programs

that develop the whole child—mind, body, and soul. Students benefit from strong academics,

vibrant arts and athletics programs, and daily opportunities for spiritual formation. The facilities

are modern and well-maintained, offering bright classrooms, two gymnasiums, specialized spaces

for music and technology, and a remarkable Outdoor Education program that sets ACS apart. The

school is in the midst of finishing its Faith Forward Capital Campaign. This comprehensive capital

campaign recently funded $7.5M in renovations and additions while strengthening the schools’

financial position and endowment. The school’s foundation endowment demonstrates decades of

faithful stewardship and provides meaningful support for accessibility and innovation.

As the community looks to the future, ACS stands at an exciting moment of opportunity. With a

healthy enrollment, dedicated Board, and gifted leadership team, the school is well-positioned for

continued growth and mission impact. At the same time, the new Head of School will be called

to address several important priorities—strengthening the middle school program, continuing

to build organizational clarity following recent leadership restructuring, and ensuring clear,

transparent communication across staff, families, and the Board. Faculty and parents alike express

deep commitment to the school’s mission and a desire for visionary leadership that unites the

community and builds upon its strong foundation.

The Ada area offers a uniquely appealing setting for life and ministry. Located just east of Grand

Rapids, one of the Midwest’s most vibrant small cities, Ada blends small-town warmth with access

to outstanding cultural, educational, and recreational amenities. The community features beautiful

neighborhoods, thriving local businesses, miles of walking trails, and an active faith community

that values both family and service. It is an ideal place for a leader passionate about Christian

education to live, serve, and flourish.

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MISSION & VISION

THE ADA SCHOOL MISSION — WHY WE EXIST

The Ada Christian School community exists to equip students for service in God’s world by

integrating academic excellence with a distinctively Christian perspective.

VISION

To encourage all students to grow and mature fully in Christ by integrating Christian truths

and principles into all areas of learning.

To provide students, staff and administration with the necessary facilities and resources to

achieve excellence in all academic disciplines.

To exercise good stewardship of God-given resources to make education at Ada Christian

School affordable for all.

To have Christ’s love reflected through Ada Christian School to the people in our community.

– OUR VISION –

THE FUTURE TO WHICH WE ASPIRE

We develop the whole child — mind, body, and soul in Christian

community — inspiring and enabling students to become all

they are created to be as Christian agents of change in their

families, communities and the world.

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STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

• We believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God (II Timothy

3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21).

• We believe there is one eternal God. He exists in three persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

(Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 1:1-2, 10:30).

• We believe that God created the world out of nothing and mankind in His image and upholds all

of creation by His power. God created man and woman in his image and established marriage

as a lifelong union between one male and one female. Biblical marriage is the only acceptable

context for sexual intimacy. (Gen. 1-2; John 1:1-13; Gen. 2:20-24; Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:2; 1 Thess.

4:1-8; Heb. 13:4)

• We believe in the deity of Christ, the only begotten Son of the Father (John 8:40, 10:33; Acts

2:22); His humanity (John 8:40; Acts 2:22); His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35);

His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15, 7:26); His miracles (John 2:11); His substitutionary and atoning

death (I Corinthians 15:3; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9); His bodily resurrection (John 11:25; I

Corinthians 15:4); His bodily ascension to the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19; Acts 1:9); and

His personal return in power and glory (Matthew 16:27; Acts 1:11; Revelation 22:12).

• We believe that because of the fall of mankind into sin, we must be reborn by the Holy Spirit

unto salvation; and that people are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of

Christ and that only by God’s grace and through faith alone are we saved (John 3:1-19; John

5:24; Romans 3:23-24, 5: 8-9; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5).

• We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved will be raised

to eternal life, and they that are lost to eternal death (John 5:28-29).

• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 12:12-13;

Galatians 3:26-28).

• We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit in every believer, by whose indwelling and

leading into Biblical truth the Christian learns to live a godly life (Romans 8:13-14; I Corinthians

3:16, 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18).

• We believe that Christ is now ruling and calls all people to recognize Him as Savior and Lord

(Matthew 28:18; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 1:20-23).

• We believe that God established a covenant with parents and their children and that according

to that covenant parents must provide for the Christian education of their children (Genesis

17:1-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9).

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STATEMENT OF BELIEFS

ON THE BASIS OF THESE BELIEFS:

We believe that Ada Christian School is an extension of the educational role given by God

to Christian parents. We will support Ada Christian School and staff with our prayers,

contributions, and finances so that it may:

• Help our children grow toward a mature Christian commitment, obedience to God’s commands,

and a proper relationship to God.

• Help our children form a biblical understanding of mankind, culture, and the world.

• Help our children become joyful servants in God’s kingdom and good stewards of His world.

• Help our children understand their calling to be active Christian citizens.

• Help our children prepare for the vocations to which the Lord is calling them.

• Help our children understand and appreciate the theological and ethical issues central to

Reformed Christianity.

To learn more about Ada Christian School’s distinctives, follow these links:

How Ada Christian is Different

Expressing the Mission

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HISTORY

In 1949, a group of parents dedicated to Christian education in the Ada area began to make plans

for a Christian school. The Ada Christian School Society worked diligently to build a two-room

school that was ready for use in September 1951 on a site adjacent to Ada Christian Reformed

Church. The school opened with sixty-two students in grades kindergarten through ninth grade,

and two teachers. At the dedication service on August 31, 1951, Dr. John Van Bruggen challenged

parents and teachers with their greatest task at Ada Christian School: to maintain a school in which

all of the teaching is in accordance with God’s Word, and in which God is given all the glory due

His name. God blessed Ada Christian School (ACS) with growth and continual financial support.

The school building was renovated 13 times, and the number of students grew from sixty-two to

400 over the next fifty years. The school also added a preschool program and began to serve over

100 children at Ada Christian Preschool. By the late 1990s the school was no longer large enough

for the students and staff. Five portable classrooms were added, and still more room was needed.

In the year 2000, the school began a momentous venture of faith with a $12.5 million Capital

Campaign toward the construction of a new school. After purchasing thirty-six acres at the corner

of Ada Drive and Fox Hollow Avenue (previously Colner Ave.) and spending two years in the

preparation of building and site plans, Ada Christian began construction of the new school. The

building process was completed in the summer of 2002, and that September, students began

school at their new facility at 6206 Ada Drive. By this time, K-8 enrollment had exceeded 500

students. In 2016, ACS was blessed with significant gifts to support an initiative to create an

outdoor education program. It all started with an outdoor woodshed for classroom learning and

quickly expanded to a dedicated classroom, greenhouse, hoop house, barn, many resident barn

animals, gardens and a prairie. Today, the outdoor education program has brought many amazing

discoveries and excitement to our 36-acre campus. Outdoor education is integrated in all subjects,

preschool-8th grade.

ACS continues to evaluate its programs and policies so that they support its mission. The staff

and Board members are dedicated to a Christ-centered education that equips students with the

knowledge, skills, hearts, and behaviors that honor and serve Christ and those in God’s creation.

Parents, students and staff serve as a Christian community that respects and cares for each other.

Students at ACS are valued and respected. ACS continues to teach within a Reformed Christian

perspective. ACS families attend 73 churches in the greater Grand Rapids area. Graduates of

ACS attend a variety of high schools, including Grand Rapids Christian High School, NorthPointe

Christian High School, South Christian High School, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Lowell High

School, Forest Hills Public Schools and West Michigan Aviation Academy. The school operates on

a budget of $7.2 million. The assets of the Foundation contribute an average of 10% towards the

operating budget each year.

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FACILITIES

Ada Christian School’s campus hosts an athletic complex - including a track, soccer field, baseball

and softball diamonds, as well as two gymnasiums. Impressive playgrounds also welcome

children of all ages to climb, slide, swing, balance and explore. ACS also supports other informal,

self-guided activities with a frisbee golf course that winds its way through its campus for some

friendly competitions, and a Hike n’ Bike trail encircles the campus, inviting leisurely walks and

challenging rides.

On ACS’s 36-acre property, open and wooded spaces boast fun-filled adventures for students

who enjoy fort-building and areas for scaled models of Michigan to take form. An outdoor structure

overlooking the wetlands provides an ideal setting for classes to begin hands-on learning activities

and a rustic gathering space for wrap-up sessions. The nearby outdoor seating affords students a

space for discussion and reflection while being surrounded by nature.

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FACILITIES

Inside the building, a generous lobby ushers parents and students into a warm and inviting space

where acquaintances become family. A Commons Area is home for parent meetings, chapel

services and special gatherings. Spacious classrooms filled with natural light offer a variety of

learning spaces, rows of books and plentiful resources to stimulate student learning. Promoting

and motivating reading, swarms of books stand side-by-side on shelves and tables as their titles

reach across numerous ages and interests in our media center.

A Student Center in the middle school provides a unique space for learners. Flexible furniture in a

technology-rich environment allows students to use their creativity in innovative and collaborative

ways that engage learners. The music suite is complete with a band, choir, orchestra, elementary

music, and practice rooms where students are nurtured to develop their musical talents. Two

gymnasiums offer plenty of space for students to run, jump, skip, hop, climb and more! In addition,

a rock-climbing wall, batting cage, climbing ropes, basketball hoops, volleyball nets and more

invite students to live active, healthy lives.

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ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

AT-A-GLANCE

PRESCHOOL - 8TH ENROLLMENT

144 PRESCHOOL

229 5TH - 8TH

YEAR 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26

K-8TH

ENROLLMENT

532 543 567 556 561

136 SIZE OF TEAM

51 FACULTY

46 STAFF

TOTAL

ENROLLMENT

705

332 K - 4TH

19 STUDENT SUPPORT STAFF

20 PRESCHOOL STAFF

19 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE

ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIPS

CHRISTIAN

EDUCATORS

ASSOCIATION

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

YOUNG 5’S - 4TH GRADE STUDENTS

PUREPLAY SPORTS (SOCCER, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, TRACK

AND FIELD)

CLUBS AND CLINICS (RUNNING, UNICYCLE, VOLLEYBALL,

LEGO ROBOTICS TEAM)

FAMILY GROUPS

WEEKLY SPECIALS (ART, MUSIC, PE, OUTDOOR EDUCATION,

SPANISH, TECHNOLOGY, LIBRARY)

5TH- 8TH GRADE STUDENTS

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS

SOCCER BASEBALL

VOLLEYBALL CROSS COUNTRY

BASKETBALL TRACK AND FIELD

SOFTBALL

73 CHURCHES REPRESENTED AT ACS

FINE ARTS

3RD GRADE UKULELE

8TH GRADE MUSICAL

BAND, ORCHESTRA, CHOIR

K-4 AND 5-8 CONCERTS

TUITION & ASSISTANCE 2025-2026

GRADES K-4TH $10,325

GRADES 5TH-8TH $10,575

FINANCIAL HEALTH — NO OUTSIDE DEBT

AND HEALTHY ENDOWMENT

25% OF SCHOOL FAMILIES RECEIVED FINANCIAL

AID TOTALING MORE THAN $585K IN TUITION

ASSISTANCE

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

BARN, HOOP HOUSE, GREENHOUSE, MOUNTAIN, NATIVE

AMERICAN VILLAGE, SUGAR SHACK, LOG CABIN

GOATS, CHICKENS

5 ECOSYSTEMS STUDIED ON CAMPUS (WETLANDS,

FOREST, FIELD, PRAIRIE & POND)

CLASS TRIPS

LIFE GROUPS

FAMILY GROUPS

YOUNG LIFE

EXPLORATORY WEEK

WORSHIP TEAM

PODCAST CLUB

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POSITION SUMMARY

The next Head of School at Ada Christian School will be a deeply respected and trusted leader

who shepherds the community with wisdom, humility, and grace. This individual will bring fresh

insight to school dynamics and will guide ACS thoughtfully through a season of transition, nurturing

both people and programs in the process. As a leader of leaders, the Head of School will invest in

staff through mentoring and encouragement, fostering a culture of collaboration, confidence, and

excellence in daily operations.

A clear communicator and steady presence, the Head of School will build trust across the Board

of Trustees, faculty, families, and students, uniting the community around shared purpose and faith.

By integrating a Christ-centered perspective into every aspect of learning, this leader will help

ACS live out its mission and vision in tangible, transformative ways. With a heart for service and

compassion, the Head of School will inspire the entire community to love one another well and to

engage the world with courage, humility, and hope.

As ACS continues to grow, the new Head of School will have the opportunity to assess and shape

the leadership structure that strengthen collaboration, streamline communication, and enhance

the school’s overall effectiveness.

CURRENT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND SUPPORT

HEAD OF

SCHOOL

K-4TH

PRINCIPAL

5TH-8TH

PRINCIPAL

PRESCHOOL

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF

ADVANCEMENT

BUSINESS

MANAGER

ADMINISTRATIVE

ASSISTANT

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RESPONSIBILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS

SPIRITUAL AND MISSIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Model a vibrant and authentic faith in Jesus Christ, leading with humility, prayer, and conviction.

• Preserve Ada Christian’s Reformed heritage and biblical worldview while engaging families

from a variety of church backgrounds.

• Lead with discernment in a complex cultural landscape, anchoring the school’s mission while

equipping students to live faithfully in today’s world.

• Strengthen the spiritual formation of students, faculty, and families through chapel, worship,

prayer, and biblical integration across the curriculum.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND CULTURAL LEADERSHIP

• Continue to shape and strengthen the recently restructured leadership team, clarifying roles,

improving alignment, and empowering principals and staff to flourish.

• Build trust, unity, and transparency among faculty, staff, parents, and the Board through clear

and consistent communication.

• Cultivate a healthy organizational culture characterized by collaboration, encouragement,

accountability, and joy.

• Support and invest in faculty and staff, prioritizing professional growth, recognition, and longterm

retention.

ACADEMIC AND PROGRAMMATIC EXCELLENCE

• Champion academic excellence across all grade levels, ensuring Ada Christian remains

competitive with area schools while distinctively Christian in its approach.

• Support continued improvement in the Middle School, building strong faculty teams, clarifying

expectations, and fostering positive student culture.

• Encourage innovation in teaching and learning, including emerging opportunities in areas

such as technology, entrepreneurship, and outdoor education.

• Preserve and strengthen Ada Christian’s distinctive programs, such as Outdoor Education and

the whole-child approach that integrates mind, body, and soul.

• Foster and model professionalism, collegiality, and ethical conduct among faculty. Ensure that

faculty regularly and promptly report student progress to parents.

• Oversee the selection of the school’s curriculum, ensuring teachers receive regular and

appropriate professional development and have appropriate certification and training.

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RESPONSIBILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS

COMMUNITY AND EXTERNAL LEADERSHIP

• Be a visible and relational presence, known and approachable among students, parents, staff,

and donors.

• Engage new families and those outside traditional circles, fostering a community where all feel

known and valued.

• Partner with the Board of Trustees to establish a new strategic plan that articulates clear vision,

priorities, and long-term sustainability.

• Serve as the face of Ada Christian School in the broader Grand Rapids community—

strengthening partnerships, advancing philanthropy, and communicating the school’s mission

with clarity and conviction.

OPERATIONAL AND GOVERNANCE LEADERSHIP

• Bring clarity to systems, policies, and reporting structures to ensure smooth, efficient operations

and sound financial stewardship.

• Work closely with the Board to refine governance practices, empowering the Board to focus

strategically while entrusting daily leadership to the Head and administrative team.

• Maintain a balanced budget, strengthen enrollment management, and collaborate with the

Advancement Office to secure resources that support mission and growth.

• Keep the Board informed, on a regular basis, of the day-to-day operations of the school and

ensure the Board receives all the necessary data to do its work. Attend all Board meetings

and, as necessary, all sub-committee meetings.

• Cultivate collaboration and clear communication among faculty and the ACS community to

deliver a unified message that reflects the desired outcomes of the ACS Education Foundation

Board.

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QUALIFICATIONS

• A committed Christian who affirms and lives in alignment with the school’s Statements of

Belief, Mission, Vision and Expression of the Mission.

• Advanced degree in education or related leadership field preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of school administration experience, preferably in a Christian school

setting.

• A valid administrative certificate is preferred.

• Strong knowledge of and experience in Christian Education.

• Demonstrated ability to lead an organization with many teams, while mentoring leaders/

teachers and promoting academic and spiritual growth.

• A track record of implementing best-in-class technology and trends, incorporating outdoor

and other innovative means.

• Excellent communicator (both written and oral), creative problem solver and experienced

morale builder.

• Strong background in research-based instructional best practices.

“Our mission requires a hardworking and dedicated staff that

supports each other. Our strength comes when we see each

other as image bearers of God and hold each other in prayer.

Our conversations push us to excel as we meet the individual

needs of our learners.”

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EXPECTATIONS

Successful leadership in any educational institution is judged by how well its leader meets

the expectations of its governing body, meets the needs of its families, and responds to the

input of its faculty, administration, parents, and other constituent groups. While a Strategic Plan

was last completed in March of 2020, the school is beginning a new Strategic Planning process in

January 2026 to allow the new Head to play a role in its finalization.

To give candidates an idea of the needs and expectations of the next leader, below are anticipated

goals/measurable results that may be incorporated into that Strategic Plan and evaluated over the

first five-year period.

• Unified Leadership: The Head and administrative team will function cohesively, with clear

roles, strong communication, and high staff morale and retention.

• Academic Growth: Students will show measurable academic progress across grade levels,

supported by consistent curriculum review and professional development.

• Middle School Excellence: The middle school will demonstrate strong academics, stable

staffing, and a positive student culture with more than 90% retention from elementary.

• Faculty Support: Faculty will report high satisfaction and engagement through regular surveys,

reflecting improved support, collaboration, and longevity.

• Spiritual Vitality: Chapel participation and biblical integration will be strengthened, with

students demonstrating spiritual maturity and service engagement.

• Strategic Direction: A clear five-year strategic plan will guide priorities for academics,

enrollment, finances, and facilities, with progress measured annually.

• Program Innovation: Ada Christian will be best-in-class for Outdoor Education and new

programs that integrate faith, technology, and creativity.

• Fundraising Acumen: Support and lead expanded growth in the education foundation to

help offset the rising cost of education. Through strong collaboration and communication, the

school will present a unified message.

• Financial Stewardship: The school will operate with a balanced budget, a growing endowment,

and sustained tuition assistance for accessibility.

• Community Confidence: Currently very strong, parent satisfaction and trust scores will

continue to rise, reflecting improved transparency, unity, and effective communication.

• Enrollment Health: Enrollment will remain near capacity (around 700–750 students) with

waitlists in key grades and continued mission alignment.

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LIVING IN ADA, MICHIGAN

Situated just a few miles east of Grand Rapids, Ada, Michigan offers a blend of small-town charm

and convenient access to one of the Midwest’s most vibrant cities. With a population of just over

14,000, Ada is known for its thoughtful community planning, scenic natural surroundings, and

strong sense of civic pride. The Thornapple River winds through the heart of town, providing a

picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities and family outings. Miles of trails, parks, and open

spaces make it easy to enjoy West Michigan’s four distinct seasons.

Ada has invested significantly in recent years to revitalize its village center, creating a walkable

downtown filled with locally-owned shops, restaurants, coffeehouses, and a year-round farmers

market. The area boasts excellent public amenities and services, and residents benefit from

proximity to the broader Grand Rapids region, which offers museums, universities, professional

sports, and a flourishing arts scene.

Families in Ada often cite the area’s high-quality schools—both public and private—as a key

reason for putting down roots here. Ada Christian School is part of a wider educational landscape

that values academic excellence and faith-based learning. The neighborhood maintains a quiet,

community-oriented lifestyle while offering the cultural and economic benefits of a larger metro

area just minutes away.

Ada also hosts a deeply rooted and diverse Christian faith community. Churches from a range

of denominations are active in both worship and service, often collaborating on local outreach,

missions, and events. This shared commitment to living out the Gospel fosters a welcoming

environment for families and educators who see faith as central to their lives and work.

Whether drawn by its natural beauty, strong schools, or vibrant faith life, many who come to Ada

find it an ideal place to call home.

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PROCESS OF CANDIDACY

If you believe that your talents and experience may be a good fit for the position of Head of School

at Ada Christian School (ACS), we invite you to begin the inquiry process. Inquiries and expressions

of interest regarding this search may be forwarded to Laura Coverstone at JobfitMatters Executive

Search (615.261.4623) and will remain confidential.

Please provide the following for review:

1. Current resume

2. Responses to the following essay questions

• Describe your testimony of faith in Jesus Christ. How is God using you in your work, in your

church, and in your community? How has your relationship with Jesus shaped your career

and influenced your decision to apply for this position?

• Describe your experience with Christian education, both personally and professionally.

Using what you have learned about ACS from the ACS website, this Opportunity Profile, and

any other research you may have conducted, describe how your life, career, and leadership

development have equipped you to lead and grow ACS.

3. Provide the names and contact information (phone number and email address) of four

references who know you and your career well enough to comment on your suitability for this

position. (Note: References will only be contacted after we have received your permission to

do so later in the candidacy process.)

Submit this information in one document or PDF to:

Laura Coverstone

JobfitMatters Executive Search

resumes@jobfitmatters.com

615.261.4623

Please include “ACS HEAD OF SCHOOL” in the email subject line.

Search Timeline: All candidate information will be reviewed upon receipt and will continue until

this position is filled.

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