Principal

The SEED School of Washington, DC

$150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in school administration or related field.
  • Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in an urban high school setting with proven student outcomes.
  • At least 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience with measurable growth in student achievement.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on performance outcomes.
  • Exceptional communication and listening skills, equipped for team building and change management.
  • High degree of integrity and demonstrated leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
  • Understanding of developmental nuances in high school students.

Responsibilities

  • Directly oversee and mentor two Assistant Principals to align actions with strategic goals.
  • Collaborate with HR in recruiting and onboarding highly qualified personnel with the Head of School.
  • Model and promote a growth mindset among faculty, fostering a supportive environment.
  • Manage all policies during school hours to uphold the college preparatory mission.
  • Partner with operations to support daily learning through IT and campus security.
  • Lead the creation and maintenance of the master schedule to meet instructional and logistical needs.
  • Work with Student Support Services to manage student conduct and support systems.

Benefits

  • Strong emphasis on professional development and mentoring for leadership growth.
  • Commitment to educational equity and holistic support for each student.
  • Collaborative work environment focused on shared successes and team-based goals.
  • Opportunities to influence school culture and student outcomes directly.
Full Job Description
Position Overview

The Principal is the executive leader responsible for the daily management, safety, and cultural health of the school during the academic day. Tasked with creating the "conditions for learning," the Principal manages the people and processes that make a high-quality college preparatory environment possible. The Principal collaborates and cooperates with key personnel, leveraging subject-matter expertise to maximize the effectiveness of school programming.

This position reports to the Head of School. The Assistant Principal reports to this role.

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Executive Leadership & Talent Management
  • Directly manages, mentors, and evaluates two (2) Assistant Principals, ensuring their daily actions align with the school's strategic goals.
  • Partners with Human Resources to ensure the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of highly qualified personnel in partnership with the Head of School.
  • Models and fosters a "growth mindset" across the faculty, creating a supportive professional community where staff are empowered to be successful.
  • Ensures that all assigned personnel are meeting annual performance goals and adhering to the school's mission and vision.
Daily Operations & System Integration
  • Takes full responsibility for all policies and programs during school hours to ensure an environment consistent with a college preparatory mission.
  • Partners with the Senior Director of Operations to ensure that IT, facilities, and campus security provide the necessary support for daily learning.
  • Leads the creation and maintenance of the master schedule, balancing complex instructional requirements with logistical needs.
  • Leverages the subject-matter expertise of other SLT members to maximize the effectiveness of school programming.
Student Culture & Holistic Support
  • Promotes a culture of excellence and opportunity, advocating for student needs and emphasizing family involvement.
  • Works in lockstep with Student Support Services to manage student conduct
  • Coordinates with the Wellness and Behavioral Health suites to ensure students receive necessary care with minimal disruption to their academic day.
  • Partners with Student Life to manage the transition between academic hours and residential life.
Data, Compliance & Accountability
  • Effectively analyzes and uses data to monitor school-wide performance outcomes and ensure student success metrics are met.
  • Implements and enforces policies to ensure the school meets all local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Oversees compliance and reporting requirements for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the Public Charter School Board.

Core Characteristics

To thrive in this role, the Principal must possess specific leadership traits that prioritize integration and personnel management over siloed authority.
  • The "Integrator" Mindset: Possesses a unique ability to see how disparate parts-facilities, wellness, boarding, and academics-fit together to create a single, cohesive student experience.
  • Radical Collaborator: Operates with a "team-first" mentality, finding professional fulfillment in shared wins with the Director of Academics and other Senior Directors rather than seeking total autonomous control.
  • High-EQ Communicator: Able to navigate high-stakes conversations with parents, faculty, and peers with poise and empathy, serving as the "emotional thermostat" for the campus.
  • Systems Thinker: Approaches challenges by evaluating and improving the underlying policies and schedules that govern the academic day, ensuring the "conditions for learning" are always met.
  • Adaptive Leader: Demonstrates the agility to shift from executive strategic planning in SLT meetings to "on-the-ground" tactical support for Academic and Student Support staff in the hallways.
  • Mission-Driven Advocate : Maintains an unwavering belief in the potential of all students and a commitment to SEED's specific vision for success in college and beyond.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required. An advanced degree in K-12 school administration, curriculum & instruction, or a related field with strong academic preparation is preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years of leadership experience with proven results in an urban school setting that demonstrates high student outcomes in a high school setting.
  • Minimum 3 years demonstrated success as an effective high school classroom teacher as evidenced by teacher and scholar growth and achievement data as well as personal performance data.
  • A performance and outcome-driven approach with a demonstrated track record of impact on student outcomes, with strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytic skills.
  • Strong communication and listening skills, with a track record in team building, change management, and building alignment around a shared vision and direction.
  • A high degree of personal integrity, demonstrated leadership abilities, and a history of working cooperatively with key stakeholders in a school environment.
  • Solid understanding of the developmental and social nuances of children in high school.
  • Develops and supports a climate that values, accepts, and understands that achievement is at the core of our work, and that excuses are irrelevant.
  • Demonstrated commitment to educational equity for all students.
  • Works independently with little direct supervision.
  • Works well with others and as part of a team.


Salary Description

$150,000 depending upon experience

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