Executive Director SY26- 27 (California Candidate Pool)

About the Role

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the mission and vision of the school are implemented effectively, focusing on accelerating positive outcomes for all students. This role oversees all aspects of running a school, including instructional leadership, operational and administrative duties, student enrollment, and cultivating a strong anti-bias, anti-racist school culture. The Executive Director fosters relationships with key stakeholders to meet budgetary, academic, and talent goals.

The ideal candidate is an experienced school leader and educator with expertise in leading successful school environments, coaching teams, and meeting student outcomes. Familiarity with Summit Learning or personalized learning is strongly preferred.

About Us

Summit Public Schools operates 10 schools serving over 3,300 students in the Bay Area and Washington state. Our mission is to prepare a diverse community of young people with the skills, knowledge, and habits to attain economic empowerment and success in a chosen next step toward a fulfilled life. 100% of Summit graduates are college-ready, and they complete college at double the national average.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Vision
  • Create a school-based vision aligned with Summit Public Schools’ mission, including clearly articulated goals and measures of success.
  • Lead internal and external stakeholders to implement this vision and refine it as needed.
  • Meet regularly with students, parents, and faculty to communicate and inspire them around the mission and vision.
  • Support strong instructional leadership, facilitate leadership team meetings, and provide professional development and coaching.
• Data Management & Student Academics
  • Implement a school design and program that collects and analyzes data to improve student outcomes.
  • Foster a culture where faculty utilize classroom data to enhance teaching practices.
  • Ensure all data in the student information system is accurate and compliant with federal, state, and local guidelines.
  • Design, implement, and manage a testing plan for external (e.g., SATs) and internal tests (e.g., CAASPP).
  • Follow testing protocols, train proctors, collaborate with Special Education teachers for accommodations, and promote a culture of respect for standardized tests.
  • Ensure all courses are approved through the UC system, manage the UC course approval plan, and stay updated on process changes.
• Recruitment and Retention
  • Ensure the school is fully enrolled by developing and executing a recruitment and enrollment vision.
  • Collaborate with the talent team and school leaders to interview, assess, and select faculty and staff using culturally responsive tools.
  • Coach and support faculty and staff, including goal-setting, observations, evaluations, and feedback.
  • Advocate for internal development opportunities and identify external growth opportunities.
  • Lead a school-specific onboarding program for new hires to ensure alignment with the mission and vision.
• School Culture
  • Lead faculty, staff, students, and parents to support a strong school culture aligned with the mission and vision.
  • Provide an engaging and supportive environment with extracurricular activities, including athletics, clubs, and events.
  • Develop and implement restorative practices and discipline strategies.
• Relationship Management
  • Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including school governing bodies, community partners, and student families.
  • Ensure compliance with charter petition requirements and attend SPS Board meetings at least twice a year.
• School Operations
  • Ensure the school is accredited through WASC by designing, implementing, and managing a WASC plan.
  • Create and review school-wide ESLRS and use WASC as an opportunity to evaluate school effectiveness.
  • Create and maintain a balanced budget in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer.
  • Meet regularly with the CFO to forecast, monitor, and manage the school budget.
  • Participate in financial audits and ensure compliance with financial procedures.
  • Authorize all spending, including expense reports, bills, and contracts.
  • Set annual fundraising goals and strategies, and assess progress with the development team.
  • Support on-site operations and administrative staff to ensure the school facility is operational.
  • Design and manage a student attendance plan and collaborate with the office manager for a welcoming front desk.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements (e.g., PCSGP, CPR training, SB 740, CALPADS).
  • Collaborate with staff to manage the school’s lunch program and ensure eligible students submit required paperwork.

Requirements

• Commitment to uphold Summit’s values and belief in equitable education for all students.
• Bachelor’s Degree (required).
• Master’s Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a similar program (required).
• Prior experience in school leadership (required).
• Teaching Credential in California or another U.S. state (required).
• Administrative Credential in California or another U.S. state (required).
• Prior teaching experience (required).
• Proficiency in Google Platforms (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Slides).
• Clear health and background check.

Qualities

• Maintain high expectations for all students and believe in their success in school, college, and life.
• Thrive in collaborative environments and find positivity in shared successes.
• Share Summit’s vision to reimagine schools and are excited to impact public education.
• Empathetic and culturally competent, facilitating courageous conversations to advance anti-bias, anti-racist practices.
• Data-driven, with the ability to collect, evaluate, and utilize data meaningfully.
• Expertise in planning skills-based, personalized instruction.
• Positive and resilient in facing challenges, taking initiative and ownership in your work.
• Strong people management and relationship skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire diverse groups.
• Ability to apply honest, actionable, and timely feedback to improve performance.
• Strategic mindset for executing professional development initiatives.
• Comfortable in innovative and dynamic environments with ambiguity.
• Committed to continuous improvement, open to feedback, and have a growth mindset.

Benefits

• Retirement plan.
• Unlimited “take what you need” PTO policy.
• 11 paid holidays.
• 3 weeks of organization-wide closures during the year.
• Access to multiple health, dental, and vision plans at 25% cost (employer covers 75%).
• Employee life and disability insurance at no cost.

Pay

The salary for this position ranges from $131,337 to $165,120, commensurate with experience and qualifications.