ACCREDITATION: CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: 248

Meet Shoreline Christian School

Shoreline Christian School began as an idea in the minds of Christian leaders and parents who deeply loved and valued Christian Education. In May of 1950, a group came together to discuss forming a school. By October of that year, they had organized “The Christian Education Society of Seattle,” now known as the “Shoreline Christian School Society”. The Society still governs the school today.

The school opened its doors in the fall of 1952 as Watson Groen Christian School. The school was named in honor of Rev. Watson Groen, who played a vital role in the organizing efforts, yet went to be with the Lord before the school opened. The first teachers served 15 students in 8 grades. The first building was dedicated in October 1953, and the first graduating class was in 1958. The current school colors of green and white were chosen by the student body in 1959. With a steady pace, the school increased enrollment, expanded programs, and added facilities.

Today, SCS serves students in Preschool through 12th Grade with a full program of academics, arts, athletics, and service. In 1997, the school was renamed Shoreline Christian School to more accurately reflect its mission and its connection to the Shoreline neighborhood. The gymnasium, home of the Shoreline Christian Chargers, was rededicated as Watson Groen Memorial Gymnasium to reflect our gratitude for his role in our history. 

For more than 70 years, our private Christian school in Shoreline, WA, has been a welcoming environment for children of all ages, backgrounds, and skills — a place where their hearts, minds, and souls grow and where lifelong connections are made. Today, we remain dedicated to bringing out the very best in each of our students and motivating them to lead a life of faith, value, and service. Connect with us today to learn more about our approach to inspiring and educating the whole child.

“For as much as things change, SCS stays – creation, celebration, hospitality, connection, community. We are called to community, we are called to redemption, we are called to restore the broken, and we are called over and over again to remember who we are, children of God.”

About the Head of School

The new Head of School at Shoreline Christian School will be a visionary leader and a builder who seeks to understand and grow the existing community. Additionally, they will drive strategies to boost student enrollment. Beyond high-level strategy, the school desires an approachable, visible presence who steps out of the office to actively engage with students, teachers, and parents. By establishing clear job descriptions, systems, and lanes, the new leader will help transition the school while ensuring staff members feel heard and supported.

Ideal candidates for this role will bring 7 to 10 years of overall experience, blending strong K-12 classroom teaching with 3 to 5 years of administrative leadership, and will preferably hold a Master's degree in an education-related field. Personally, the Head of School must be a committed Christian who affirms the school’s statement of faith and demonstrates a vibrant Christian life. while remaining comfortable navigating a theologically diverse student body and the highly diverse culture of the Pacific Northwest. The new Head of School will be a steady, calming presence who champions the school's grace-based, restorative approach to discipline and connects learning to God's story of restoration for the K-12 community. The Head of School will serve as the primary fundraiser, spearheading a $3 million to $10 million capital campaign to update campus facilities.

The Head of School's responsibilities include:

• Vision & Strategic Leadership: Cast a clear, unifying vision for the future of the school. Oversee academic structures to ensure cohesion from K-12, including developing a clear curriculum scope and sequence.
• Fundraising & Enrollment Growth: Act as the primary fundraiser, talking to donors and leading capital campaigns (anticipated between $3 million and $10 million) to update facilities. Lead strategies to grow student enrollment from the current ~248 students toward a goal of 400 students.
• Administrative Systems & Board Relations: Establish clear job descriptions, systems, "lanes," and procedures. Partner with the Board in key operational activities such as determining organizational structure, hiring, planning, and setting tuition rates.
• Staff Support & Community Visibility: Maintain a highly visible presence by stepping out of the office to actively interact with students, teachers, and parents. Listen attentively to staff concerns, balance freedom with accountability, and establish new positive rhythms for staff culture.
• Spiritual Leadership: Lead the community with a grace-based, restorative approach to student discipline and development. Champion the school's mission to connect learning to God’s story of restoration and oversee the spiritual formation of the community.

What you bring

The following describes many of the characteristics of the ideal candidate for the Head of School:

Education and Experience

• Education: A Bachelor's degree is required. 
• A Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Administration, or Business Administration/MBA is strongly preferred, ideally from a Christian university.
• Experience: 7 to 10 years of overall experience, with 3 to 5 years specifically in a leadership/administrative role.
• Teaching Background: 5 to 7 years of classroom teaching experience 
• School Scope: Experience in a K-12 educational setting is strongly preferred. 
• Familiarity with Christian education and accreditation bodies (such as Christian Schools International or ACSI) is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Faith & Theology: Must have a strong Christian foundation grounded in the Gospel
• Must be an active member of a Christian congregation rooted in the authority of Scripture and the historic creeds of the church.
• Must be steady in faith but comfortable navigating a theologically diverse parent and student body (including Christian Reformed Church, Anglican, Presbyterian, non-denominational, and Orthodox backgrounds).
• Cultural Fit: Must appreciate and understand the Pacific Northwest (PNW) culture
• Leadership Style:Must be strong, patient, and steady
• Brings Godly discernment and a collaborative approach to solving issues and problems.

What it's like to live in Shoreline, WA

Living in Shoreline feels like catching the best of both worlds—you get the quiet, leafy charm of a classic suburb without sacrificing the proximity to Seattle’s urban pulse. Located just north of the city limits, it’s a community defined by its "City of Native Greens" reputation. You’ll find yourself surrounded by towering Douglas firs and hidden gems like Boeing Creek Park or the saltwater shoreline at Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, where locals gather to watch the sunset over the Olympic Mountains. It’s the kind of place where people actually know their neighbors,= and the pace of life feels just a few beats slower than the downtown rush.

The Practical side of Shoreline is equally appealing, especially for those who prioritize balance. From a commuter's perspective, the recent arrival of the Sound Transit Light Rail has been a total game-changer. What used to be a grueling crawl down I-5 is now a predictable, stress-free zip into Northgate, the University District, or Capitol Hill. Plus, the revitalization of the Aurora Avenue corridor has brought in a steady stream of new cafes, diverse international eateries, and improved bike lanes, making the city feel more connected and modern than ever.

Ultimately, living here as a family means trading some of Seattle's nightlife for a lifestyle that prioritizes ease and exploration. You’ll find families spending their Saturdays at the Log Boom Park to paddleboard or kayak in Lake Washington or browsing the Shoreline Farmers Market for fresh local produce. While the area is growing and modernizing—especially with the new light rail stations making "city field trips" to the Seattle Aquarium or MoPop a 15-minute breeze—Shoreline remains deeply committed to its identity as a grounded, green sanctuary.

Amid the growth, Shoreline remains a family-oriented suburban setting that encourages curiosity and the exploration of creation. Weekends are usually spent browsing the Shoreline Farmers Market or grabbing a coffee at a local haunt before heading out to one of the close options of hiking, camping, or skiing. One can easily hop over to Burke-Gilman Trail along the shores of Lake Washington to spend some time outside. While the housing market has certainly followed the upward trend of the Pacific Northwest, many still find it a more approachable alternative to Seattle's skyrocketing prices. It’s a grounded, green, and growing community that offers a high quality of life for those who want the trees and the transit in equal measure.