Developing a Start-up Charter School Program

 

(The following was taken from a start-up charter principal recruitment campaign with a salary range from $95,000-$120,000, depending on experience)

 

  • Build strong and caring relationships with students and adults as the foundation for a successful school.
  • Commitment to positive youth development and a faith in the potential of every student.
  • Belief that every student has the ability to design their own path to success in the post-secondary world.
  • Values the design and implementation of authentic problem-based/project-based learning experiences and performance assessments.
  • Commitment to implement a CCSS-aligned, competency-based approach.
  • Strong technology skills and the belief in using a one-to-one model to support personalized learning for students.
  • Comfort with utilizing multiple types of data to inform instruction.
  • Comfort with change, iteration and ambiguity.
  • A growth mindset, understanding that failure is the path to success.
  • Commitment to working on personal growth and continuous learning.
  • Commitment to collaborate and design with community and business partners.
  • Willingness to challenge traditional mindsets and beliefs about what school is and what school is not.
  • Willingness to contribute to a collaborative culture that challenges and supports each other.
  • Responsible for the planning and execution of a pilot program

 

Responsibilities:

  • Develop the instructional model and academic culture for the school
  • Develop, refine and facilitate the implementation of the school’s academic program.
  • Facilitate the establishment of a competency model and aligned assessment system.
  • Lead the creation and implementation of a positive school culture program that reflects the principles of positive youth development.
  • Work with faculty and staff to create a consistent and comprehensive focus on character, leadership and exemplary behavior.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of the post-secondary and community based learning programs.
  • Build and maintain strong ties to students.
  • Collaborate closely with other school leaders to plan and prepare for academic, social, fiscal and other transition issues.
  • Lead the institutional focus on student achievement
  • Ensure an integrated, inquiry-based curricular approach that prepares students for the world of work and post-secondary education.
  • Utilize an accountability/data system that allows teachers, students and parents to know what students have learned and what further work is required.
  • Regularly assess and address the potential for gaps between what the school is accomplishing academically, versus what is desired.
  • Review all test data and ensure that the program leads to strong individual student growth on a variety of assessment measures.
  • Inspire, train and retain an excellent high school faculty.
  • Advance a school culture that maintains a relentless focus on motivating students to achieve personal and academic growth and encourages collaboration to meet the full range of student needs.
  • Lead a hiring process that attracts, recruits and selects high performing staff.
  • Utilize a system for the ongoing evaluation of teacher performance, including informal and formal observations, that supports improvement and expects measurable results.
  • Support the planning for ongoing quality professional development and performance coaching, with planning time built into the weekly calendar to allow for collaboration with and amongst colleagues.
  • Oversee the operation plan for the school and the development of a budget to support all aspects of the plan.
  • Lead school site planning and implementation processes; ensure the site budget and the site plan are strategically developed to maximize human, financial, time, and programmatic resources to achieve optimal results
  • Manage school budget, ensuring that expenditures are aligned to the school plan, in compliance with restricted and categorical fund restrictions
  • Follow all established EFC policies and procedures
  • Develop systems, timelines and milestones for completion of initiatives
  • Work collaboratively with the Business Operations Manager to ensure that the school site is safe, clean and well maintained
  • Develop, lead and manage systems for efficient and efficacious daily operations
  • Ensure there is an effective, regular communication system with all staff
  • Partner with families and community on issues related to school outcomes and operations.
  • Skillfully and appropriately involve parents and the community in school activities
  • Maintain good community relations and effective, regular communication with parents
  • Organize and facilitate a Family Leadership Council; build capacity of family leaders to engage authentically in site planning and high leverage decision-making
  • Develop and execute strategy to attract and retain students and families at school site, with the goal of full enrollment with a waiting list
  • Function as a collaborative team member (EFC Management Team, Instructional Management Team)
  • Effectively collaborate with community partners and leverage community resources for organizational success
  • Actively participate in key student events
  • The principal is responsible for the administration of the school within the regulations of the Governing Board.
  • The principal performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Treat each member of the school community with fairness, dignity and respect, seeking a spirit of unity and harmony as we join together to achieve our common mission.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • Superior grasp of effective instruction for educating urban youth
  • Strong people and project management skills with the proven ability to train, supervise and coach professional staff in order to foster a cooperative team environment
  • Smart, strategic thinker who can execute on multiple priorities simultaneously
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly-changing environment
  • Prior experience working within an, entrepreneurial or start-up environment
  • Must possess a growth mindset and be able to use feedback to refine practice
  • Experience working with diverse communities

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience as an Assistant Principal or site leader
  • Spanish Bilingual
  • Master’s Degree
  • Knowledge of the Common Core standards and instructional practices aligned to those standards
  • Experience developing and sustaining external partnerships
  • Experience integrating technology as a teaching tool
  • Strong data analysis skills
  • Experience working with English Language Learners
  • Experience coaching, mentoring or developing teachers
  • Strong community-building skills
  • Outstanding communication and organization skills