Head of School 

Denver Academy of Torah (DAT) was founded in 1993 by a small group of dedicated parents looking to prioritize: Excellence in both Judaic and General Studies; Torah values that inform students to become moral, productive members of society, who are well-equipped to play leadership roles in the Jewish community and beyond; and Zionism in an effort to develop strong, life-long connections to the State of Israel. In 1999, DAT completed construction of The Glassman Education Campus – a state-of-the-art elementary and middle school building situated on a nine-acre campus and located in the heart of the East Side Denver Jewish Community. As time passed, it became clear that DAT students needed access to more than just K through 8th grade; they longed for a high school that would afford them the opportunity to continue to develop and embrace a strong Jewish identity, while pursuing a competitive and well-rounded education. In 2010, that aspiration became a reality as a fledgling DAT High School was founded, off-site. In 2019, DAT realized its dream of offering K through 12 on one, unified campus as it celebrated the grand opening of a new high school building on The Glassman Education Campus, located in Denver’s Lowry neighborhood. Denver Academy of Torah is a vibrant and proudly Zionist, Modern Orthodox Jewish Day School in Denver, Colorado. Our co-educational, K through 12th grade school serves ~180 students from five counties and 12 synagogues across the greater Denver metro area.

Excellence in Education: DAT is committed to offering students an opportunity to pursue excellence in both Judaic and General Studies: Our Judaic staff, curriculum and programming are guided and developed by a highly skilled K-12 Judaic principal. From halacha and history to Jewish life and text-building skills, our curriculum is designed to serve as a foundation for a Torah-engaged life. Our general studies staff and curriculum are directed by a team of general studies administrators, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of ACIS* accreditation. The school is committed to helping students learn to problem solve, think critically, and innovate. Our leadership and teachers are dedicated to offering students access to a well-rounded education, leadership opportunities and the chance to explore new interests and skills. From basketball, soccer, a variety of AP and Honors classes and national math competitions to Yeshiva University’s Model UN and Tikvah’s Truman Scholars and Hartman Teen Fellowships, we are always looking for avenues for our students to pursue their natural curiosity and talent.

Personal Development: DAT is a warm, welcoming and nurturing community that serves an anchor for the Modern Orthodox community. As a small school, we have the luxury of getting to know each child and family. Our goal is to unlock the potential within each child; to help them feel socially, religiously, and academically valued and understood, and to guide them on their path to self-discovery and self-mastery. With the Torah as our guide, we are committed to offering our students a safe space to question, build and solidify their Jewish identity. We work to inspire our students to become moral, Torah-engaged role models and leaders, committed to the Jewish values of compassion, kindness, serving others, and giving back to our community.

Connection to Israel: DAT students have a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. Our Hebrew Immersion curriculum, Israeli educators and uniquely Zionist classes and programs bring Israeli culture, music and traditions to life and help instill great pride and resilience in a generation of Jews who will surely face the 21st century challenges of anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Our rigorous Hebrew Immersion program culminates in a once-in-a- lifetime, two-week Israel-immersion trip for high school students. Nearly 100 percent of graduating Seniors opt to spend a gap-year in Israel following graduation.

The Future of Denver Academy of Torah: Thirty years of slow and steady growth and development transformed DAT into the only local Modern Orthodox community school dedicated to raising the next generation of Torah engaged and proudly Zionist professionals and community leaders. From our humble beginnings, we are now blessed to have outgrown our current facility, with most classes at or above ideal capacity. To sustain the growth of our community and school, and operating from a place of stability and strength, we are committed to embarking on a new phase of development through a master plan of our campus along with a capital campaign, both in their initial stages, to support our growth.

We are committed to: Identifying areas of opportunity to improve the excellence of our curricula, our educational philosophies and the level of social and emotional support offered to our school community; Expanding opportunities for high school students to explore their talents and interests; and

Embarking on a successful capital campaign to expand our school and support its aspirations for growth and development. 

Denver Academy of Torah is looking for a leader who is inspired by a future of growth: in size, in space and in offerings! DAT is looking for an experienced leader who will: Work with the Board of Directors to articulate, model and support the school’s vision; Develop, implement and assess strategies to achieve school goals; Develop, execute and evaluate systems to cultivate, manage and support educational leadership teams; Manage the executive, administrative and development teams to support the school’s fiscal and operational goals; and Serve as the school’s primary representative in the greater Denver community.

Our Ideal Head of School is: A Torah-observant role model, with a strong commitment to Jewish morals, values and laws; A strategic, solution-based thinker; A natural relationship builder with robust and clear communication skills; Well-versed in education curricula and philosophies; A strong leader, committed to developing the talents and contributions of others through positive interactions, delegation, and good working relationships; Financially literate (or willing to learn these skills), with familiarity in overseeing budgets; and Committed to excellence. Full-time.

Welcome to Denver: Denver has been one of the country’s fastest-growing big cities in recent years and it’s easy to see why. Located along the Rocky Mountain Front Range, the Mile High City is surrounded by beautiful scenery and has direct access to some of the best skiing and mountain climbing in the world. With 300 days of sunshine, a walkable downtown, thriving arts and culture, and the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Denver offers a mix of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure. Denver has a diverse and inclusive Jewish community, spanning across four primary geographic locations (The East Side, Southeast, West Side and Aurora). While many DAT students live within the East Side Jewish Community, there are a considerable number of students who commute from the Southeast (Aish of the Rockies) and Aurora (Bukharian and Israeli) communities, as well as several Chabad outposts. The Denver area is home to numerous Orthodox minyanim, including a number of Modern Orthodox and Orthodox minyanim, as well as synagogues representing all of the other Jewish denominations. The community is also serviced by a number of Orthodox preschools and many additional Jewish Early Childhood Centers. There are two beautiful community Mikvahs; a state-of-the-art JCC; a vibrant Jewish Federation; and several kosher food options. In addition to kosher bakeries and meat sections in local grocery chains, our community is home to a full-service kosher deli and restaurant, a middle eastern shawarma restaurant, a falafel and shawarma truck, a pizza restaurant and a number of kosher certified ice cream shops. While the Denver Jewish Community has seen exponential growth over the past three decades, the community still maintains an emphasis on connecting to community, building authentic relationships, work-life balance, and making time to enjoy the outdoors.

To apply to become the next Head of School at DAT please send a brief cover letter and current resume to our search consultant from Prizmah, Center for Jewish Day Schools, Amy Wasser [email protected]. www.datcampus.org.
(10/15/24)