Principal

About the Role

The Principal serves as the instructional and administrative leader of the ACCEL Schools campus, responsible for the development, implementation, and achievement of the school’s academic vision, student advancement, and daily operations. The Principal ensures successful academic outcomes for all students while employing long-term instructional sustainability measures involving professional development, teacher quality assessment, curriculum, and pedagogical advancement.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Lead the strategic instructional design and practice, including implementing an integrated curriculum, directing instructional coaching and evaluation, and using assessment data to guide instruction.
• Develop, implement, and lead the instructional programs of the school, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, lesson plans, and observing classes to encourage a variety of instructional strategies.
• Deliver consistently high levels of achievement and learning for all students through rigorous and engaging programs.
• Work relentlessly to meet all goals related to student achievement, school culture, and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
• Facilitate the implementation of a standards-based curriculum, review lesson plans weekly, and conduct frequent walk-throughs and teacher debriefs.
• Assume responsibility for student achievement related to academics and social-emotional wellbeing.
• Serve as the instructional leader by facilitating a growth-focused professional environment.
• Develop and/or modify the school’s cultural programming and school-wide PBIS process with an emphasis on appropriate class conduct and behavior.
• Plan and coordinate teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and data days.
• Develop and implement consistent professional development for teachers, ensuring training aligns with the latest research-based methodologies.
• Implement behavior management practices that ensure consistent norms of orderly, respectful behavior.
• Facilitate and direct the Charter School’s Special Education program, ensuring high achievement for all participants.
• Coordinate all phases of summer educational opportunities and before/after school programs as applicable.

Team Leadership

• Establish a strong school community culture by maintaining positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with faculty, staff, parents, students, and stakeholders.
• Provide skillful and collaborative leadership of all teachers, staff, and school leaders, including supervision, coaching, and performance management.
• Lead the Charter School’s teacher evaluation program, ensuring all teachers meet professional goals and execute ACCEL Schools instructional best practices.
• Evaluate teachers as per the State Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES).
• Oversee the Charter School’s professional development program, ensuring a strong, collaborative professional community and regular training opportunities.
• Create a student support system addressing academic and behavioral needs holistically, involving parents, teachers, and relevant staff.

Organizational Leadership

• Manage the school’s daily operations, including facilities management, information technologies, food services, student data systems, academic assessments, office management, budget, and fiscal controls.
• Exercise full engagement on compliance, budget, procurement, student data, academic assessments, and campus safety with support from the Home Office/Operations Team.
• Partner with Human Resources to execute a highly effective talent management system for recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, and supporting all school site staff.
• Ensure non-discrimination practices in faculty and staff selection by adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
• Collaborate with the Home Office/Operations Team on review and reporting requirements for State, charter authorizing agency, and Federal regulatory agencies.
• Oversee maintenance of school census data, attendance data, and other reporting requirements as mandated by the state or school sponsor.
• Implement the national school lunch program, transportation, audits, student application processes, and verifications as applicable.
• Complete all accountability reports and oversee student enrollment reports to the state; ensure compliance in all areas.
• Manage student recruitment and retention, achieving the goal of retaining 85% of students annually.
• Maintain a master school calendar posted for all stakeholders in appropriate mediums (website, social media, student/parent guide, employee handbook).
• Engage in regular communications with the Home Office/Operations Team about school needs, successes, and general operations.
• Maintain open and ongoing meetings with the Regional Vice President.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and colleagues.
• Assist with updating parent and student manuals, policies, and handbooks.

Community Leadership

• Act as the Charter School’s point person to the local community, communicating the school’s mission and vision and soliciting input from parents and families.
• Understand, accept, abide by, and implement the school’s philosophy and mission statement in all activities.
• Contribute to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standards.
• Engage and build strong professional relationships with parents through timely and regular communication.
• Cultivate partnerships with external organizations that enrich the school’s culture and build relationships with local districts and charter authorizers.
• Plan and conduct student and family orientations.
• Coordinate special projects such as peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement.
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Education or related discipline required; an advanced degree in education/educational leadership strongly preferred.
• Current valid Principal license.
• Minimum of three years’ experience in a full-time teaching role.
• Two or more years of experience in successful school administration/instructional leadership in an urban setting.
• Demonstrated skill in developing and maintaining a rigorous academic program that meets the needs of all scholars.
• Experience in public education accountability, compliance, and related legal requirements.
• Experience in coaching teachers to improve instructional planning, practice, and classroom culture.
• Knowledge of State Standards and Common Core Standards.
• Successful completion of federal and state criminal background checks.
• Ability to meet educational standards as applicable.
• Ability to work well under pressure and effectively prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Understanding of and ability to manage confidential information.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for all students and building a strong, highly effective organization aligned to this mission.
• Demonstrated experience raising student achievement among diverse learners, including low-income students, non-native English speakers, students of color, and other traditionally underserved populations.
• Knowledge of/experience with innovative school designs and instructional models, including blended, inquiry, problem/project-based, and personalized learning.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong, experienced manager with excellent leadership and team-building skills.
• Ability to translate critical feedback into effective outcomes.
• Leads with grit, perseverance, and a “can-do” positive attitude.
• Ability to productively organize, communicate, and disseminate policies, strategies, and tasks.
• Familiarity with the developmental, behavioral, social, and academic needs of students.

About Us

“We believe that every child should be able to be anything they want in life, regardless of their birthplace and circumstances.” – Ron Packard, CEO & Founder

ACCEL Schools is a network of 80+ high-performing, public charter schools serving PK-12 students. We advocate for school choice and work to address educational inequities throughout the United States. Our schools are inclusive and reflect the unique values of the communities we serve, offering innovative models such as career-technical education, sports training, and bilingual programming.

Benefits

Life Benefits – Time & Peace of Mind

• Paid time off
• Retirement contributions
• Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child)
• Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations

Health Benefits – Stay Well & Thrive

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary short-term disability insurance
• Voluntary long-term disability insurance

Career Benefits – Keep Growing

• Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals

Pay

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.