High School
Welcome High School Head Rachael Joe!
IDEAL's new High School Head
Originally from New Jersey, Rachael Joe spent her formative years in Louisiana, where a deep appreciation for inclusivity, resilience, and community helped shape her path in education. With nearly two decades of experience, Miss Joe’s career has spanned teaching and leadership roles across a wide range of grade levels and subjects.
After many years in the classroom, Miss Joe transitioned into school leadership, where she has championed innovative curriculum development and comprehensive systems of support for both students and educators. A strong advocate for personalized learning, informed in part by early experience with Montessori education, she believes deeply in tailoring instruction to individual strengths while fostering restorative, connected school communities.
Miss Joe is drawn to The IDEAL School of Manhattan’s commitment to inclusion, individualized learning, and emotional safety. In her leadership, she has worked to cultivate school cultures where students are known, valued, and challenged to grow, and where educators are supported in delivering responsive, student-centered instruction. She is excited to continue that work at The IDEAL School as she partners with faculty, students, and families to lead a high school community where compassion, rigor, and creativity come together to support every learner holistically.
In her personal time, Miss Joe enjoys traveling, spirited game nights, and exploring new corners of Harlem, where she lives.
In small, engaging classes, teachers build students’ skills, confidence, and leadership through a challenging, inclusive curriculum.