Elevate Charter Schools, Founding Middle School Principal

ORGANIZATION

Founded in 2022, Elevate Charter Schools (ECS) is a nonprofit Charter Management Organization headquartered in Hamden, Connecticut. On April 5, 2023, the CT State Board of Education approved ECS to operate Danbury Charter School (DCS) in Danbury, CT. Danbury Charter School’s mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and challenging learning environment to produce responsible and productive citizens prepared to compete successfully in the global marketplace. DCS will design a highly structured, rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum that will set high expectations and provide individualized monitoring, assisting students in attaining ambitious goals for achievement. DCS plans to open in the 2024/2025 school year.

OPPORTUNITY

Danbury Charter School (DCS) is seeking a passionate and energetic founding school leader who is excited and prepared for the challenges of building a high-performing charter school. The Founding Middle School Principal of Danbury Charter School will coordinate administrative oversight and planning for all school instructional leadership phases, including educational programming, administration, planning, and discipline. Reporting to the Regional Superintendent, this individual will have a strong voice in the vision and strategy for the school's evolution, expansion, and growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities of the Founding Middle School Principal include but are not limited to:

Pre-Launch Planning and Programming

• During Pre-Launch, the Founding Middle SchoolSchool Principal will be primarily responsible for working with the Chief Schools Officer to lay the groundwork for a successful school, including but not limited to academic and professional development plans, engaging with the community, recruiting families, teachers, and more.
• Facilitate professional learning communities focused on addressing core priorities (e.g., how to refine curricula best to maximize student growth for Special Education students, social-emotional learning, etc.)

Academic Leadership

• Align action to an unwavering belief that our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and challenging learning environment to produce responsible and productive citizens prepared to compete in the global marketplace successfully.
• Execute a strong vision for what excellent IB instruction looks like
• Supervise and observe all instructional practices in the school, including coaching and mentoring directly or through other staff and/or professional development programs.
• Use data to inform practice and make strategic recommendations; lead and coach others using academic data and evidence to inform decision-making and instruction.
• Support the implementation of SRBI and monitor its continued performance.

People Leadership

• Lead through influence and emotional intelligence, fostering a positive, collaborative work environment that values equity and excellence.
• Provide leadership and direction to school-based staff, including the Dean of Student Culture, Academic Dean, administrative staff, consultants, and all teachers.
• Supervise support services

Culture Leadership

• Create and convey a positive vision for student culture and realize that vision through visible presence, leadership, and development of staff, strong communication, presence, and the power of example.
• Develop and maintain a positive staff culture based on a shared commitment to the school’s mission and a belief in their power to contribute to it.
• Manage the successful creation, revision, and maintenance of strong school policies that lead to a consistent, fair, and effective school culture.

Operations Leadership

• Engage in and implement ongoing strategic planning that develops, articulates, and strengthens a vision focused on the critical elements of the school.
• Prepare materials in conjunction with the Executive Director, Director of Finance, and Operations for Board meetings, including student academic achievement data based on comparative and longitudinal measures and the annual budget.
• Anticipate potential challenges and proactively develop strategic solutions to ensure the school's success.
• Ensure regular communication with families regarding family concerns, school events, student academic performance, and policies.

Equity Leadership

• Build a strong culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Champion initiatives that advance socioemotional and academic equity for students, including neurodiverse students, BIPOC students, and other

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Through interpersonal skills, transparent communication, and engagement, build and maintain strong relationships with various stakeholders, including staff, students, parents, the Board of Directors, and the broader community.
• Serve as the public spokesperson for the school and primary liaison to outside agencies and organizations in Connecticut and Danbury.

Requirements

To fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Head of School candidate will be/will have:

• Master's degree and School Administrator Certification required.
• At least five years of teaching experience and at least two years of administrative/supervisory experience required.
• At least two years of IB (International Baccalaureate) preferred.
• Bilingual/Multilingual (Spanish and/or Portuguese) preferred.
• Able to create, understand, and implement budgets and budgeting practices.
• Thoroughly understand applicable local, state, and federal educational laws, regulations, policies, and requirements.
• An experienced school leader who is well-versed in high-impact instructional practices and believes deeply in setting high expectations for all students.
• A proven collaborator with high emotional intelligence and exceptional ability to speak about the lived experiences of students and families in Danbury.
• An inspirational leader devoted to coaching and developing colleagues while holding them accountable to measurable results.
• A self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, disability, gender identity, and other areas of difference in our society and has personally worked in similar communities to ensure all students have an opportunity to achieve their dreams of college and career success.
• A strong written and oral communicator who can engage students, parents, faculty, board members, and community members in dialogue and clearly and authentically about the school’s goals and priorities.

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $125,000 – $150,000 annually, commensurate with experience. For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Floricet Diaz at fdiaz@edgilityconsulting.com.

Elevate Charter Schools is an equal-opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required. #LI-FD1