Reading Specialist, Summer Enrichment Program: Horizons at SCH Academy

6-week summer program: June 22 - July 31, 2026

Hours: 7:45 AM – 3:45 PM (Monday – Friday)

Horizons at SCH: Organization Background

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH) is an independent pre-K-12 school in Northwest Philadelphia serving over 1100 students from over 100 zip codes. Horizons at SCH, established in 2021, is an affiliate of Horizons National, established in 1967. Horizons seeks to advance educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. Horizons at SCH partners with the Henry Houston School and Eleanor C. Emlen, offering a summer program to address both schools' achievement and opportunity gaps.

At the core of the Horizons program is an exemplary six-week summer academic program that supports a cohort of students in reading, writing, math, and science, paired with field trips, sports, and enrichment activities in the performing and visual arts. Swimming lessons are essential to the Horizons program and will also be offered. After summer, the Horizons at SCH program also includes a year-round component featuring family events, enrichment activities, and regular visits to and communication with students' schools and teachers.

Horizons at SCH will launch its fifth season of programming in the summer of 2026 with one class of 15 new Kindergarten students and four classes of returning 1st and 4th-grade students. A new class will continue to be added each summer until the program includes K-8th grades. The student/teacher ratio at Horizons SCH will be approximately 10:1. For more information about Horizons at SCH, please visit https://www.sch.org/school/horizons.

Position Purpose:

Horizons at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is seeking a dedicated and effective Reading Specialist with a dynamic talent for fostering a lifelong love of learning in children. We are looking for a talented, passionate, caring professional who will work as a team player, fulfill the Horizons mission, and create a joyous, inclusive, inspiring, and educational culture. The Reading Specialist will be an integral part of the Horizons team, leading the development and support of the literacy program for students in grades K-5, including the administration of assessments and their use in instructional planning, delivery of small group/individualized instruction, sharing of best practices, and enhancing learning opportunities for students and staff. We hope that Horizons summer staff members will return to the program for more than one summer as we continue to work together, support our students, and build the program and the community.

Essential Functions:

Prior to the summer program beginning:

Work with the Leadership Team to set programmatic goals, identify resources, create schedules, set professional development, and plan for the summer/school-year programs.
Attend orientation and professional development sessions prior to the start of the program.
Support classroom teachers as they design and teach high-quality, culturally responsive, project-based curriculum and engage students in learning language arts throughout our six-week summer enrichment program, throughout the summer, and during pre-summer professional days.
Complete all required online STAR Assessment Training.

During the summer program:

Coordinate and oversee pre- and post- student assessments.
Work with relevant staff members to plan instruction using data, including supporting teachers in identifying individual students' learning profiles, building on each youth's academic strengths, and coordinating resources/activities to best address their areas of need.
Guide staff in developing and/or strengthening evidence-based reading curriculum and instructional practices to support student learning through discussions (formal and informal), coaching, and sharing professional development resources.
Provide individual and/or small group instruction to students to help develop literacy skills.
Train/advise volunteers and interns as needed to work with students as reading tutors or to support small group instruction.
Meet with program leaders to review progress towards program goals and/or problem-solve as issues occur.
Assist in evaluating program effectiveness.
Participate in student arrival, meals, and departure; attend faculty meetings once a week before the start of the program day.
Establish and maintain lasting relationships with students, families, and staff.
Help maintain ongoing communication with caregivers and school-year teachers, where appropriate.
Develop and ensure a safe, respectful, challenging, and joyful learning environment.
Commit to continuous learning and having fun for 6 weeks.
Fulfill additional responsibilities as determined by Horizons at SCH.

Qualifications:

Available for a 6-week summer program from June 22 to July 31, 2026, for the hours of 7:45 AM – 3:45 PM (Monday – Friday).
Complete all state and federal clearances.
In addition to a strong commitment to Horizon's mission, this position requires a balance of knowledge of best practices and practical experience with and proficiency in the skills of literacy instruction and culturally responsive pedagogy.
The ideal candidate for the Reading Specialist position must be flexible, well-organized, capable of taking initiative, and enthusiastic about teaching, learning, and working collaboratively with others.
Proven ability to relate well to children and families from a variety of racial, cultural, religious, and neuro backgrounds.
Enjoys the opportunity to plan and deliver engaging, challenging lessons using effective, evidence-based strategies for all learners.
Knowledge and skill in classroom management, social-emotional learning, and specific strategies for developing children's noncognitive skills such as focus, determination, empathy, and self-discipline.
Experience administering reading skills assessments and using data to determine effective instruction.
Able to provide clear expectations and directions, and both supportively provide and receive feedback.
Elementary/middle school teaching experience, including planning, creating, and managing reading instruction; additional literacy teaching experience/training preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to understanding how systems impact our families and communities we work with.
Commitment to continual growth in understanding personal biases and role within societal systems.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Must be able to work effectively in a fast-moving environment where unexpected student issues and varying challenges compete for one's attention.
Must be able to work actively around the classroom for extended periods.
Must be able to work in a traditional climate-controlled environment and outdoors, utilizing the natural surroundings for outdoor education and experiences.
Be able to lift up to 30 lbs occasionally.
Regularly use close and distance vision.
Frequently stand and talk or hear, and sometimes walk and sit.
Turn, bend, reach, and occasionally climb.

Application Procedures

To be considered, candidates must upload a cover letter, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and information for three professional references through our online platform.

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The School is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application process and in employment as required by law.