Chief Academic Officer

Chief Academic Officer

Application Deadline: 30 November 2026

Department: District Staff

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer

Compensation: $140,000 - $165,000 / year

Description

Position Title: Chief Academic Officer

Funding Source: General Fund

Reports to: This position reports to and is evaluated by the Chief Executive Officer.

Qualifications:

• Possess a minimum of a master's degree in education, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
• Hold valid Michigan school administrator certification appropriate to the assignment and maintain required continuing education. May also hold an equivalent out of state license.
• Have at least eight years of combined successful teaching and administrative experience, including leadership of instructional programs and supervision of school leaders or instructional teams.
• Demonstrate a record of improving student achievement, accelerating growth, and expanding opportunity for historically underserved scholars.
• Demonstrate expertise in curriculum alignment, evidence-based instruction, academic assessment, data analysis, and school improvement.
• Demonstrate knowledge of academic accountability, special populations, and applicable state and federal requirements.
• Possess strong communication, coaching, organizational, and change leadership skills, with experience managing academic budgets and developing effective teams.
• Experience with secondary education, early middle college or dual enrollment programs, and scaling academic programs is strongly preferred.

Position Description:

Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences (DAAS) District seeks a visionary, decisive Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to turn ambitious expectations into exceptional learning experiences and measurable results for every scholar. As the district's senior academic leader, the CAO will advance our mission of disrupting generational poverty on Detroit's east side through a high-quality education anchored in the arts and sciences. This is an opportunity to shape a growing district and build pathways that connect early learning, academic achievement, and college success to lasting economic opportunities.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the CAO will lead academic strategy, instruction, curriculum, assessment, academic data, continuous improvement, and academic compliance across DAAS and our newly opened Detroit Early Middle College (DEMC). The CAO will develop school leaders, strengthen instructional practice, and hold teams accountable for scholar growth and equitable outcomes. As DEMC's Chief Academic Officer, this leader will play a central role in scaling the early middle college as grade levels are added. Working with school leaders and higher education partners, the CAO will establish the curriculum, college pathways, student supports, and academic systems needed for successful expansion. The CAO serves on the executive leadership team and acts on behalf of the CEO when designated.

Key Responsibilities

• Academic strategy. Lead a coherent academic vision and multiyear improvement agenda for DAAS and DEMC; establish annual priorities, measurable goals, implementation milestones, and clear accountability for results.
• Curriculum. Direct curriculum design, adoption, implementation, and review across grade levels and subjects, ensuring alignment with Michigan academic standards and a connected progression from early childhood through high school and college coursework.
• Instruction. Define expectations for excellent teaching and monitor implementation through regular school visits, classroom walkthroughs, student work reviews, and actionable feedback to school leaders.
• Arts and sciences. Strengthen rigorous literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and elective instruction while preserving DAAS's identity and integrating inquiry, creativity, and meaningful application of learning.
• Assessment. Oversee a balanced district assessment system, including formative, interim, and state assessments; establish testing calendars, staff training, accommodations, security, and timely use of results.
• Academic data. Own the district's academic data strategy, including data quality, dashboards, reporting cycles, and analysis of achievement, growth, attendance, course performance, and college readiness by school, grade, and student group. Align the district's academic strategy to the district's mission and vision.
• Action from data. Lead recurring data reviews with principals and instructional teams; identify gaps, determine root causes, adjust instruction and supports, and monitor whether actions improve scholar outcomes.
• Continuous improvement. Direct district and school improvement planning, evaluate programs and recommend expansion, revision, or discontinuation based on evidence.
• School leadership. Supervise, coach, and evaluate principals and assigned academic leaders; set performance goals, conduct regular progress reviews, and develop leaders' ability to improve teaching and learning.
• Educator effectiveness. Oversee consistent implementation of district teacher and administrator evaluation systems, including evaluator training, calibration, feedback, growth plans, and required completion timelines.
• Professional learning. Lead a coordinated professional learning and instructional coaching plan tied to student needs and educator growth; strengthen professional learning communities, mentoring, Model Teacher leadership, and collaborative teaming.
• Student support. Direct a coordinated Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that connects core instruction, screening, targeted intervention, progress monitoring, enrichment, and accelerated learning.
• Inclusive access. Oversee academic programming for scholars with disabilities, Section 504 plans, multilingual learners, and advanced learning needs in collaboration with designated leaders; monitor service delivery, access, and outcomes. Partner with the Director of Special Education to ensure scholar outcomes and learning services are aligned to the district mission and vision.
• Culture for learning. Partner with principals and student services leaders to strengthen attendance, engagement, belonging, and equitable discipline practices that preserve instructional time and remove barriers to learning.
• DEMC expansion. Lead the academic plan for adding DEMC grade levels, including course sequences, graduation pathways, instructional staffing needs, learning materials, schedules, and readiness. Work with DEMC leaders and higher education partners to maintain college partnerships and ensure college and career readiness.
• Reporting and records. Ensure accurate, timely academic accountability reports and submissions; oversee grading, transcripts, credit audits, promotion and graduation processes, and student record integrity with appropriate staff.
• Academic funding. Develop and manage academic budgets with Finance; align staffing, materials, technology, professional learning, and academic grants to priorities, and monitor spending, deliverables, and program impact.
• Talent and capacity. Partner with the Director of Talent and principals on instructional hiring, placement, leadership development, certification alignment, and retention; forecast staffing needs for DEMC expansion.
• Schedules and resources. Review instructional calendars, master schedules, course offerings, and learning resources to protect instructional time and provide equitable access to required coursework and academic opportunities.
• Learning technology. Guide the selection and evaluation of instructional technology with technology leaders; ensure tools support teaching, accessibility, responsible use, and student data privacy.
• Families and community. Build partnerships with families, colleges, and community organizations; communicate academic expectations and progress, respond to concerns, and support enrollment and retention through strong academic programs.
• Executive leadership. Advise the CEO and Board on academic results, policy, risks, and expansion readiness; represent DAAS and DEMC in academic partnerships and perform other duties assigned by the CEO.

Physical Requirements: Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as needed to move objects; frequent standing, stooping, bending, pushing, and pulling. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Terms of Employment: Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District's approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the District.

Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated by the CEO in accordance with Board policy, including progress toward established academic, leadership, compliance, and DEMC expansion goals.