Lower School Teacher - Music

Ashley River Classical Academy (ARCA) is hiring its founding faculty to teach its students when it opens in Charleston, SC in August 2025. ARCA is a tuition-free, public, classical charter school. It is part of the Barney Charter School Initiative of Hillsdale College, a network of classical charter schools united by curriculum and purpose. ARCA will initially open K-5 and grow to K-12 by adding one grade level each year. ARCA is now accepting applications from new and experienced educators for all positions.

Each faculty member is a professional who is esteemed and supported by a faculty of colleagues striving for excellence. The faculty is entrusted with practical implementation of the mission of ARCA: Our mission is to train the minds and hearts of our students through a content-rich classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with a focus on fostering moral character and civic virtue.

Lower School (K-5) Music Teachers teach the history, theory, and appreciation of music across grades K-5. Lower School Music Teachers are also exemplars of Ashley River Classical Academy’s Virtues and actively seek to develop an appreciation for beauty and a strong moral character in students.

Primary duties and responsibilities include:

• Planning and teaching content-rich, engaging lessons, primarily using the pedagogical techniques of direct instruction and Socratic discussion

• Communicating frequently and consistently with parents about students’ behavioral and academic progress as well as events in the classroom

• Continuously improving instruction and content knowledge through coaching, professional development, and independent study

• Fostering a sense of joy and wonder in the classroom and beyond

• Maintaining high expectations for both academics and behavior through a commitment to schoolwide policies and procedures and the classical model

Qualities and characteristics of a successful Lower School Music Teacher:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Music Education or a related area of study from a fully accredited college or university

• Certification and competency in music education, K-12

• Familiarity with best practices in pedagogy

• Knowledge of the classical model of education

• High moral character

• Thoughtfulness and a love of learning

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and expertise

• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, and retirement

If interested, send a letter of interest, a resume, and a list of references to the chair of the hiring committee: careers@ashleyriverclassical.org