Current Openings

Sun Valley Community school is seeking an experienced and inspirational educator to become the next Upper School Head starting on July 1, 2025. This is a full-time position with benefits. 

The successful candidate will be a proponent of Sun Valley Community School’s emphasis on community, academic achievement, and its extensive Outdoor, Arts, and Athletics programs. The right candidate for this position will also understand the importance of close relationships between faculty and students and will nurture an atmosphere that builds the trust that is essential to those relationships. They should be an organized, energetic, and creative individual who motivates and inspires students, faculty, and parents. And finally, the successful candidate should be someone who embraces living and working in a mountain town. 

The Upper School Head is the primary administrator for grades 9 through 12. The position is part of the senior leadership team of the school, which works collaboratively on behalf of the school community. The Upper School Head reports directly to the Head of School.

ABOUT THE UPPER SCHOOL
The Upper School division consists of an experienced faculty and staff of approximately 30 professionals working with approximately 185 students in grades nine through twelve, with both a significant day population and a small but steady Residential Program that is mainly populated by competitive winter sport athletes who are a part of our thriving Sun Valley Ski Academy.  

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and evaluate all Upper School instructional and co-curricular programs in accordance with the school mission and goals.
• Hire, develop, and support an outstanding and experienced faculty.
• Facilitate a progressive faculty evaluation process. 
• Manage the Upper School budget.
• Communicate actively and constructively with parents regarding Upper School programs and student progress. 
• Represent the Upper School to external constituents and the greater Wood River Valley community.
• Promote creative and meaningful synergies between divisions and departments to maximize the experience of the faculty and students.
• Support, nurture, challenge, and inspire the Upper School and greater school communities, while having fun and maintaining a sense of humor.
• Uphold and manage the policies and procedures of the school as outlined in the school’s Student-Parent Handbook and in context of the school’s Community Standard.
• Effectively communicate Community School’s emphasis on academic achievement, its extensive Outdoor Program, arts, athletics, service learning, Sun Valley Ski Academy and Residential Programs, along with the close relationship between faculty and students.
• Provide administrative support, oversight, and lead the continued maturation of unique Upper School programs, such as: the Sun Valley Ski Academy, the Outdoor Leadership Academy, the Creative Arts Academy, and the College Counseling Program.
• Provide oversight and support for the Residential Program. The Director of Residential Life reports to the Head of Upper School and together they work in conjunction with the Director of SVSA and the Director of Admissions to oversee enrollment and programming.
• Understand and embrace the unique culture of a small independent school in a small mountain resort town. 

QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should:

• Have extensive experience in the roles of an upper school administrator, teacher, and advisor and/or coach, with a demonstrated passion for working with high school age students.
• Have demonstrated strong and effective communication skills, expertise in program development, scheduling, personnel management, and knowledge of current pedagogical research as it relates to upper school students.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher. 
• Demonstrate a willingness to live and thrive in a small, vibrant resort community in the Rocky Mountains. 

Please send an electronic cover letter, statement of educational philosophy, resumé, and at least two letters of reference no later than April 10, 2025 to the contact information below. Resume review will begin upon submission and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis beginning immediately. 

Sun Valley Community School
℅ Sarah McDermott
Attn: Upper School Head Search
smcdermott@communityschool.org

Sun Valley Community School is seeking a dynamic Upper School Mathematics Teacher. This position includes teaching a variety of Upper School mathematics classes. This is a full-time teaching position, with benefits, beginning August 11, 2025. Additional duties will include serving as a student advisor, participating in the school’s extensive Outdoor Program, and engaging in additional Upper School extracurricular activities. For the right candidate, the position could also include Residential Life responsibilities and housing. 

QUALITIES
Candidates should understand and embrace the unique Sun Valley Community School culture of a small independent school in a mountain resort town. The successful candidate will be an experienced educator with at least a bachelor’s degree, possess a deep understanding of the developmental range within the Upper School population, and also be supportive of the school’s “one-school” philosophy across divisions. Ideal candidates should have a healthy sense of humor, be flexible in their approach, and find joy in their work. They should be organized and creative with a commitment to motivate and inspire students to achieve their personal best. Candidates should also work collaboratively with faculty and communicate clearly with parents.

Candidates should demonstrate the ability and desire to work within an inquiry-based educational program, which empowers students to think critically and engage confidently. The candidate must be committed to facilitating the study of mathematics and preparing students to engage with the variety of ways mathematics intersects with modern life. Above all, the successful candidate must love education and demonstrate an energetic and passionate approach to students and teaching.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send an electronic cover letter, resumé, and at least two letters of reference to: 

Jud Ford 
Mathematics Department Chair
Sun Valley Community School
jford@communityschool.org

Sun Valley Community School is seeking a dynamic, passionate, and knowledgeable Middle School Technology Teacher. The ideal candidate will inspire students to explore technology concepts, develop problem-solving skills, and engage in hands-on learning experiences. This role includes teaching digital literacy, coding (Scratch, Python, HTML, CSS, and Javascript), robotics, and other STEM-related topics while integrating technology into the broader curriculum. This role also involves leveraging our Makerspace tools in appropriate and creative ways, including 3D printing, engineering, and crafting. This position, including benefits, begins in August 2025. 

Additional duties will include teaching in our Thematic Elective curriculum (one course per term), serving as a student advisor, participating in the school’s extensive Outdoor Program, and engaging in additional Middle School extracurricular activities. The successful candidate must have a love for teaching Middle School children and demonstrate a willing and flexible approach to education.

QUALITIES
Candidates should understand and embrace the unique Sun Valley Community School culture of a small independent school in a mountain resort town. The successful candidate will be an experienced educator with at least a bachelor’s degree, possess a deep understanding of the developmental range within the Middle School population, and also be supportive of the school’s “one school” philosophy across divisions. Ideal candidates should have a healthy sense of humor, be flexible in their approach, and find joy in their work. They should be organized and creative with a commitment to motivate and inspire students to achieve their personal best. Candidates should also work collaboratively with faculty and communicate clearly with parents. Candidates should demonstrate the ability and desire to work within an inquiry-based educational program, which empowers students to think critically and engage confidently. Above all, the successful candidate must love education and demonstrate an energetic and passionate approach to students and teaching. 

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should complete our online application available here: SVCS Online Application. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through March 28, 2024. 

Any additional questions can be directed to: 

Anthony Colello, Middle School Head 

Sun Valley Community School is seeking a fourth grade Teaching Assistant for the 2025-26 school year. This is a full time, salaried position that includes benefits. Daily hours are 8 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday, starting August 11.

Above all, applicants should have great enthusiasm for working with children in a classroom setting. In addition, the candidate should demonstrate:

• Commitment to working in and fostering an inclusive community
• Knowledge and commitment around diversity, equity, and inclusion practices 
• A desire to continue seeking professional development
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues 
• Effective positive communication 
• Ability to receive feedback
• High standards of professional conduct
• A strong interest in nature and outdoor education; all staff participate in our Outdoor Program
• A Bachelor’s Degree 

The full job description can be found here.

Interested candidates will be required to pass a background check. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to:

Janet Salvoni, Lower School Head
jsalvoni@communityschool.org

Fill out an application here. 

About Sun Valley Community School: 
Our philosophy? Build community. Take risks. Grow your curiosities. Pursue your passions. Aim for personal bests. We are a preK-12 day and boarding college prep school of 435 students set in the iconic mountain resort town of Sun Valley, Idaho. Our faculty and staff are passionate about the outdoors, the arts, innovation, athletics, adventure, and the work they do with students. They are engaged and encouraging and believe in our student-centered approach. 
Our students are open to new experiences, take advantage of the natural environment, thrive in a small-town community but have a solid sense of the broader world. A Sun Valley Community School experience balances intellectual inquiry with adventure. We ask students and faculty alike to push comfort zones and seek understanding. We value inclusivity, authenticity, and critical thinking. 

A Sun Valley Community School Elementary education is a child-led journey of discovery, fueled by the energy of a dedicated faculty on campus and in the natural surroundings we explore. Starting at the age of two in our Reggio Emilia-inspired program, we encourage our students to follow their passions and explore their creativity while building a strong academic foundation. Throughout our Elementary program, we use authentic challenges and situations—in the classroom, in the lab, on the stage, in the art studio, or in the wilderness—to teach students to work together and build skills while developing essential character strengths. Students learn to value setbacks as well as successes and approach both with optimism and perseverance. Small group discussion, hands-on projects, and teamwork are hallmarks of our learning process. When our students complete their elementary education, they have the independence, confidence, and ability to thrive in Middle School. 

Please see our website for further details about our school’s guiding principles as well as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work.

Sun Valley Community School is an equal opportunity employer. The school encourages, seeks, and will employ applicants the school deems qualified for the position sought, regardless of age, ethnic background, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, or physical ability, with reasonable accommodation to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. 

Sun Valley Community School es una escuela que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. La escuela alienta, busca y contratará a los solicitantes que la escuela considere calificados para el puesto buscado, independientemente de su edad, origen étnico, nacionalidad, raza, religión, orientación sexual, identificación de género o capacidad física, con ajustes razonables para cumplir con las responsabilidades del puesto.