Martin Luther School is launching a new school designed specifically for students with autism, grounded in a developmental, relationship-based model of learning. We are seeking a Founding Head of School to help bring this vision to life.
This is a rare opportunity to build a school from the ground up and shape its culture, program, and team around a belief that students with autism deserve access to both excellent education and deep developmental support.
The school will be rooted in a developmental approach that prioritizes emotional engagement, communication, regulation, and authentic relationships as the foundation for learning. Rather than focusing only on compliance or behavior management, the program will support students in building the cognitive, social, and emotional capacities that lead to long-term independence and meaningful participation in the world.
The Founding Principal will work closely with the Martin Luther School leadership team to develop the program, hire and mentor staff, and build a culture where educators, clinicians, and families collaborate in support of each child’s growth. The role offers the chance to shape a mission-aligned school community that sees students not through deficits, but through their potential.
We are looking for a leader who believes that when students are understood developmentally and supported through strong relationships, remarkable growth is possible.
If you are drawn to the idea of building something meaningful, a school where expertise, compassion, and high expectations live side by side, we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you.
Education and experience:
Benefits include:
Martin Luther School is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Gemma Services was formed in November 2019 by the merger of two longstanding nonprofits, Silver Springs – Martin Luther School and theVillage. Representing more than 300 years combined of providing vital services to individuals in the Philadelphia region. Today Gemma is guided by the vision of a world where every person knows they matter. Gemma accompanies people of all ages through life’s challenges using individualized, data-informed support. With three locations in the Greater Philadelphia region, Gemma provides community-based and residential mental health programs, foster family care, adoption and permanency services, special education through an Approved Private School for K-12 students (Martin Luther School), and prevention programs. More than 3,000 individuals and families participate in Gemma’s programs each year.
