What We Do

At Carney, Sandoe & Associates, we do the hard work of finding the right candidates for you. We know that every school is not created equal: a stand-out candidate for one community might not be a good match for another. Our experience, passion, and diligence allow us to make the right match between a school and a candidate — and we've done so over 33,000 times since 1977.

How does Carney Sandoe work for your school?

When a position opens at your school, you list it with us, either via the web or phone, and we get to work immediately.

Our Placement Group is divided by subject area. Each Placement Associate handles a specific area (e.g., chemistry, science, admissions) and works with client schools to fill positions in his or her area. When you list a position with us, your Associate will send you a collection of appropriate candidates that she or he has personally culled from our proprietary database.

How does Carney Sandoe know which candidates to send?

When you list a position with us, make sure to provide as much information as possible regarding the criteria we should incorporate into our search. Do you need a math teacher who can also coach soccer? Let us know! Not interested in rookie candidates fresh out of college? Tell us! Your Placement Associate will review your notes and send only the candidates who expressly comply with your specified qualifications.

What does a candidate's Carney Sandoe file contain?

  • An application
  • A resume
  • 3-5 letters of reference
  • A personal statement
  • A transcript for undergraduate and/or graduate work

Candidates' files will also include personal comments written by your Placement Associate. These notes provide insights that you might not initially ascertain from the candidate's other materials. Since we interview nearly all of our candidates on the phone or in person, we often learn information that extends past the scope of their supporting documents.

How does this year stack up for Carney Sandoe?

More schools and candidates are working with CS&A than ever. Over 75% of all NAIS schools are current CS&A clients. In the last decade, our candidate pool has grown by over 80% and the number of placements we've made has grown by nearly 50%. Every year, we only accept those who we know will prove to be excellent candidates and positive additions to our client schools' communities.

Recent News

04/02/2025 | Navigating the Head of School Search: One Candidate’s Take

The journey to becoming a Head of School is both exhilarating and daunting, and at times, even a little ridiculous. I remember arriving at my hotel after a finalist interview day, electrified by the experience, but so completely drained that I fell immediately asleep, thankful I had pre-set my alarm for the next morning. The

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03/31/2025 | Assistant Head of School, Becky Jobes on her Path to International School Leadership

Senior Consultant and International Practice Leader, Karen Neitzel, had the privilege of re-connecting with Assistant Head of School, Becky Jobes, over Zoom in late March.  Becky is in her first year as the Assistant Head of School at Frankfurt International School. That search was led by Karen Neitzel, Deb Welch and Madeleine Maceda Heide.  She

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03/10/2025 | Executive Coaching for K-12 Leadership – An Insurance Policy for Stability and Sustainability in School Leadership

The average tenure of independent school heads has decreased significantly over the past few years, and the consequences of more frequent leadership turnover within school communities can be monumental in terms of morale, market standing, and even long-term sustainability.  So what can be done to increase the likelihood of retention and success for a school

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03/10/2025 | Rethinking How and Why We Gather

Like nearly everyone reading these words, I have spent much of my professional life in meetings. Over the course of my career, as I have shifted from teaching and leading primarily students to teaching and leading primarily adults, I have become a student of meetings, curious about how to make the most of these gatherings

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02/27/2025 | Five Years Later: The Lasting Impact of the Pandemic on Job Seekers

Believe it or not, five years have passed since the country went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While life has largely returned to business as usual, the job market hasn’t fully reverted. Instead, the hiring landscape has evolved, leading to a workforce with a fresh perspective on job hunting. From flexible work models

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02/14/2025 | 8 Critical Experiences for Aspiring Heads of School

You love your work in schools and get great satisfaction from positively impacting the lives of students. Have you thought about taking the step and considering leading a community and being a head of school? Independent schools need great leaders to successfully confront all the challenges that exist in today’s complex world; never has the

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02/09/2025 | The Changing Role of an International School Head: What are the Implications for Recruiting?

Successful searches demand that all concerned – boards, candidates and consultants – understand the ways in which the role of a school leader is changing.  The implications of this awareness are critically important for current Heads or aspiring Heads of International Schools. As Search Consultants, we are acutely aware that Heads of International Schools are

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01/27/2025 | Replenish at Philly’s Best Eateries During FORUM DEIB

FORUM DEIB will be hosted at the Lowes Hotel on Market Street in Philadelphia.  While you attend the hiring conference and professional development symposium, you are invited to take advantage of some of the city’s best culinary delights. Philadelphia’s food scene is a melting pot of flavors, offering everything from classic cheesesteaks to innovative fine

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person with short hair facing a computer screen waving
12/17/2024 | 3 Things to Tell Your CS&A Associate

If you’ve recently applied for or renewed your candidacy with CS&A, we are excited to work with you this hiring season! When you speak or email with your Associate, it’s important that you tell them certain things about your job search. At Carney Sandoe, we want to make the right match — for both our

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Carney, Sandoe & Associates | (617) 542-0260 | Interested in finding a school job you love?

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