French Academic Dean & Director of French Affairs in Palo Alto, California at Silicon Valley International School

Summary of the Position

The Academic Language Deans play a central leadership role in advancing Silicon Valley International School’s mission and vision. As pedagogical leaders, they ensure the strength, coherence, and ongoing development of the school’s bilingual IB curriculum and instructional practices.

Academic Deans oversee curriculum design and implementation, support and coach teachers, and ensure that teaching and learning reflect INTL’s standards of rigor, inquiry, and bilingual excellence. Through classroom observations, collaboration with teachers and principals, and ongoing analysis of student data, they drive continuous improvement in academic outcomes.

In addition, Academic Deans serve as key ambassadors of the academic program—partnering in admissions, contributing to school communications, and helping to represent INTL’s educational vision to current and prospective families.

The French Academic Dean & Director of French Affairs will report directly to the Early Years Principal and the Elementary School Principal. This position also requires the employee to remain on campus for one (1) week following the conclusion of the academic year and to return to campus one (1) week prior to the regular faculty return date in order to support back-to-school planning, preparation, and related activities.

Curriculum and Program Leadership

• Oversee the quality, coherence, and development of the French bilingual immersion program across grade levels
• Ensure strong horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum within and across languages and divisions (PYP, MYP)
• Lead ongoing curriculum review cycles to ensure alignment with IB frameworks, developmental expectations, and best practices
• Partner with divisional leadership to ensure that the curriculum is effectively implemented in classrooms
• Integrate assessment data and curriculum metrics to strengthen academic outcomes and language development
• Stay current with educational research, IB developments, and innovations in bilingual and international education

Assessment and Academic Standards

• Lead the design, coordination, and analysis of internal and external assessments to ensure alignment with school standards
• Oversee standardized testing (e.g., French National Evaluations and others as relevant), including administration, data analysis, and reporting
• Use data to identify trends, inform instructional improvements, and ensure academic rigor across programs
• Partner with principals and teachers to ensure that assessment practices reflect INTL’s commitment to deep learning and high expectations

Faculty Development and Instructional Coaching

• Coach and mentor teachers in curriculum implementation, inquiry-based instruction, and effective pedagogical practices
• Support new teachers in understanding and implementing INTL curriculum and instructional approaches
• Provide ongoing feedback through classroom visits, team meetings, and collaborative planning
• Contribute to teacher evaluation processes in partnership with principals, while maintaining a coaching-centered relationship
• Support teachers in developing high-quality instructional resources and practices

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead language-based academic meetings across subject areas
• Collaborate closely with divisional principals to ensure alignment between curriculum, instruction, and student experience
• Play a key role in hiring processes, including screening and interviewing candidates and advising on instructional fit as well as onboarding new teachers hired
• Liaise with external organizations (e.g., AEFE, MLF, EPFS, ACTFL, IB, etc.) to maintain program quality and accreditation
• Serve as the lead for our French homologation
• Serve as a pedagogical expert and thought partner in school-wide academic initiatives

Admissions, Communications, and Community Engagement

• Serve as an ambassador of the academic program through admissions events, tours, and prospective family engagement
• Lead the evaluation of external student applications
• Contribute to school communications, including articles, presentations, and parent education events
• Help articulate and promote INTL’s academic vision and bilingual IB program to the broader community
• Represent INTL at conferences and professional gatherings

Student Experience and Global Programming

• Partner with divisional leadership to design, plan, and lead international and domestic travel programs
• Ensure that academic and cultural objectives are embedded in student trips and exchanges
• Support the integration of experiential learning within the broader academic program

School Operations and Communication

• Ensure principals are informed of key academic developments, challenges, and initiatives
• Collaborate with administrative teams to support smooth implementation of programs and initiatives (such as French author visits, book fairs, Kangaroo math competitions etc.)
• Supports interviewing and oversight of substitute teachers as needed

French Affairs and Institutional Liaison

• Coordinate the school’s administrative and institutional relationship with AEFE, MLF, and other relevant French education partners
• Manage French program compliance and related requirements, including records, registrations on required platforms, and submission of relevant data
• Support and facilitate teachers’ participation in AEFE/MLF trainings and other required professional development
• Serve as liaison for French scholarship matters (bourses), supporting families and coordinating with the French Consulate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 5 years of teaching experience
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Experience working with Early Years and Elementary School-aged children
• Experience with the PYP and in bilingual schools is strongly preferred

Compensation and benefits
Our compensation is based on education and years of experience.

• We offer an excellent and comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee only
• Employer paid short-term & long-term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program
• 10 days paid sick leave and 2 days paid time off
• 7 days paid holidays during the school year
• Summer break and 5 weeks of school breaks during the school year
• Professional development tailored to teacher needs/interests and aligned with school mission
• 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match after 2 years of service

We’d love to hear from you!

If this sounds like the job for you, please submit your resume and cover by Friday, May 22, 2026.

Should you be unable to submit via the link above, please email employment@svintl.org.

Silicon Valley International School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and makes employment decisions based on merit. INTL prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. INTL will afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfer, discipline, and termination.