sierra madre, california

The Gooden School
Sierra Madre, california
head of School
July 2017
goodenschool.org
The PoSiTion
The Gooden School is a hidden gem in the San Gabriel
Valley: a small and nurturing school in the town of
Sierra Madre, where happy and curious children
learn from dedicated faculty on a serenely beautiful
campus. Strong academically and in the arts, Gooden
focuses on providing a well-rounded education in
language arts, math, science, social studies, world
languages, and technology, enriched by abundant
offerings in the visual and performing arts. Bolstered
by a strong sense of community and meaningful
traditions, the school offers a classical education for
the 21st century, preparing students for continued
academic success in high school, college, and beyond.
As an Episcopal school, Gooden welcomes students
of all faith backgrounds and focuses on character
development, integrity, and responsibility within a
framework of Episcopal values.
Mission
foundation, using both traditional and progressive
approaches. Its caring community affords students
opportunities to grow in body, mind and spirit, to
Diversity and character development are nurtured
within the framework of Episcopal values. Gooden
fosters a life-long commitment to learning, to
compassion and to service by emphasizing...
Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect
for the World.
Gooden now seeks a new Head of School, effective
July 2017. The successful candidate will appreciate
Gooden’s family feel and small-town charm,
embracing the school’s many distinguishing traditions
of School will maintain the school’s emphasis on
character and continue to support its motto embodied
in the “Three Rs” of “Respect for Self, Respect for
Others, and Respect for the World.” S/he will be
a visionary and communicative leader who stays
abreast of curricular trends, unites and engages the
faculty, staff, and community, and takes the school to
Fast Facts
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Average class size: (K-5) 16; (6-8) 24
Student/faculty ratio: (K-5) 7:1; (6-8) 8:1
Faculty with advanced degrees: 55%
Accreditations and Memberships
- National Association of Episcopal Schools
- National Association of Independent Schools
- California Association of Independent Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Educational Records Bureau
- Commission on Schools, Episcopal Diocese
of Los Angeles
School hiSTory
In 2015, Gooden celebrated the 40th anniversary
of its founding. Gooden was named in honor of the
Right Reverend Robert Gooden, Bishop Suffragan of the Los Angeles Diocese from 1930-1947. Bishop
Gooden was committed to the idea that all children deserve a high-quality education and fervently believed
that the unique nature of every individual should be known and developed. The school was founded in his
name to provide students with a high-quality, classical education that would endow them with the skills,
Gooden enjoys long-standing ties to the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. In addition to its own campus,
the school leases classroom space from The Church of the Ascension, located across the street from Gooden’s
main campus. Regular chapel services are held in its beautiful sanctuary, a historical landmark built in 1888.
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The School
The Gooden community believes that
all students in kindergarten through
middle school possess gifts that are
manifested in various ways throughout
their years at the school.
These
gifts may be discovered or enhanced
artistic, dramatic, or athletic endeavors.
Teachers at Gooden see it as their duty to
help students draw out these gifts from
within themselves. They embrace a
“whole child” philosophy of education,
providing a learning environment that
enriches each student in mind, body,
and spirit.
acadeMicS
From kindergarten through grade eight, Gooden offers
in core subjects of language arts, math, social studies,
and science. Students also receive instruction in
two foreign languages (Spanish in kindergarten,
elementary, and middle school, and Latin in grades
four through eight).
The academic program is designed to prepare students
for the demands of a college preparatory program in
students reach this goal by setting daily objectives that
focus on student achievement and growth. Various
allowing students to master skills in various subjects
while developing good study habits and encouraging a genuine joy of learning.
In addition to core coursework, all students participate in a highly regarded music and arts program.
Technology instruction and the use of Smart Boards, iPads, and laptops are incorporated throughout all areas
of the curriculum. Visual and performing arts instruction are additional highlights. Students grow through
including Alverno, Cate, Campbell Hall, Flintridge Preparatory, Flintridge Sacred Heart, LA County High
Westridge. Alumni have gone on to attend an impressive list of universities, including Claremont McKenna,
Berkeley, UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, and Vassar, among others.
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STudenT life
All students at Gooden participate in instrumental, vocal, and visual arts instruction each week and also take
attracts students to the school. The school offers concerts each year, which feature the band and orchestra,
in addition to many other opportunities to showcase student effort and talent. The “Music in the Morning”
program is the public debut of beginning string and band students.
Students study drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics and showcase their art during the annual spring art
fair.
In middle school, all students are encouraged to participate
in Gooden’s after school athletic program. The school offers
Gooden’s Episcopal identity provides a strong foundation that
pervades the campus. Students attend Chapel every Monday
many faiths represented among the student body. Together,
they sing hymns, pray, learn about the basic building blocks
of faith, read scripture, and hear a homily from the school’s
Chapel I tell God what’s on my mind. I open up and think
about how lucky I am, and I count my blessings.” While
the school is welcoming of all faith traditions, its Episcopal
heritage is a very important aspect of its identity.
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Gooden enjoys abundant traditions that
create a warm, supportive, and inclusive
community. The school’s Buddy Program
links every younger student with a student
in a higher grade, and throughout the
year these buddies share many common
school events. The unique program endows
younger students with a sense of security
and a familiar face to help them navigate
the school and provides older students with
the responsibility of mentoring younger
students.
Other traditions include annual drama performances, seasonal “teas,” Spring and Winter Concerts, Students
of the Month Assemblies, International Theme Day, Music in the Morning, promotion ceremonies, and many
more. The “Three Rs” that form the school’s motto provide a baseline for all activities and decisions at the
school, in class and beyond. Through service-learning, students live out this motto, taking part in servicehunger and homelessness, supporting St. Jean Baptiste, Gooden’s sister school in Haiti, and more.
Sierra Madre, california
Known as “The Village of the Foothills,”
Sierra Madre is a “city” in Los Angeles
County located in the San Gabriel Valley
near Pasadena. As the “Wistaria City,”
this beautiful place features abundant
natural life and vegetation and hosts an
annual Wistaria Festival. It was lauded
as an All-America City—the oldest
community honor in the country—in
2007.
Sierra Madre’s charming downtown
features a small town community feel
with many uique restaurants and shops.
The Lower and Upper Sierra Madre
Canyons rising just east of the city providing stunning trails for hiking enthusiasts as well as a Wilderness
Park. Located less than 20 miles from Los Angeles, Sierra Madre blends a small-town feel with easy access
to the large and vibrant metropolis.
The climate of Sierra Madre is incredibly pleasant, with warm and dry summers and cool, mild winters. This
charming, serene small town is a wonderful place for a family to call home.
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oPPorTuniTieS and challenGeS
The Gooden School’s strengths are
abundant. The academic program is
strong; graduates are well prepared for
success in secondary school. The art
virtually every student who graduates
is able to read music and play at
school’s location is visually stunning
and remarkably “removed” from the
typical pace of Los Angeles. Gooden’s
faculty is both able and committed; the
parent body shares a strong sense of
community and good will. Few school
communities embrace a shared sense of purpose and values like Gooden.
The new Head will be charged to maintain Gooden’s many successes and also raise the school’s programs
and stature to new levels. Although it attracts many of its students from Pasadena and the larger San Gabriel
8-10 years. The new Head will lead initiatives to clarify the value proposition of the school and then be able to
enthusiastically communicate that value to the surrounding community. Diverse students of non-Episcopalian
background are comfortable in the school; however, the Board would like to see more diversity in all areas:
ethnic, religious, and socio-economic.
philanthropic culture. The Board would like to replace the music building and refurbish the reception area
As is the case in any small school community, the incoming Head will be a visible presence in the school
and community. Early on, the new Head will want to listen carefully to all constituencies: students, faculty,
parents, and the members and leadership of the Church of the Ascension. This is a position for a “working
Head” who wants to help a truly special school grow and become a strong presence in the surrounding areas.
QualificaTionS and QualiTieS of The
nexT head of School
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t Appreciation for the meaning and opportunity of an Episcopal school identity.
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community relationships for the school.
t Strong interpersonal skills. A good listener who works collaboratively with others and encourages the
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open discussion of ideas and opinions.
developing programs for fundraising and the ability to work effectively with donors, alumni, and other
constituents in resource development.
change to accommodate 21st century skills.
t An appreciation for the importance of traditions while also willing to encourage change.
To aPPly
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t current résumé
t statement of educational philosophy
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PeTer PhiliP | Jane PhilliPS
Senior Search Consultants
carney, Sandoe & aSSociaTeS
[email protected] | [email protected]
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