Principal

ACCEL Schools is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal for Barber Preparatory Academy in Highland Park, Michigan. This role is dedicated to providing a superior education for all students, creating a rigorous and nurturing environment that prioritizes student engagement and achievement.

Barber Preparatory Academy is a public charter school serving PK-8th grade students with a well-rounded education, including community service learning and competitive sports. Celebrating over 10 years of service to the Highland Park community, the school is known for its welcoming staff and faculty. Barber Prep is part of ACCEL Schools, an established network of public charter schools serving K-12 students throughout the United States since 2014.

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 will ensure 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 systematic use of assessment data to guide instruction.
• Develop, implement, and lead the instructional programs of the school, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, lesson plans, and observing classes on a frequent and structured basis.
• Deliver consistently high levels of achievement and learning for all students through rigorous and engaging programs and classroom instruction.
• Work relentlessly to meet all goals related to student achievement, school culture, and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals.
• Facilitate the implementation of a standards-based curriculum, review lesson plans weekly, and conduct frequent walk-throughs/teacher debriefs.
• Assume responsibility for student achievement as related to academics and social-emotional wellbeing.
• Serve as the instructional leader in the building 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.
• Work with staff to plan and coordinate teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and data days.
• Develop and implement consistent professional development for teachers, ensuring regular instructional 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 and ensure program participants achieve at high levels.
• 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 other stakeholders.
• Provide skillful and collaborative leadership of all teachers, staff, and school leaders, including supervision, coaching, and performance management oversight.
• Lead the Charter School's teacher evaluation program and ensure all teachers have opportunities to meet their professional goals.
• 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 that addresses students' academic and behavioral needs holistically and involves parents, teachers, and relevant staff.

Organizational Leadership

• Manage the school's daily operations, including facilities management, information/instructional technologies, food services, student data management systems, academic assessment tools, office management, budget and fiscal controls, and student recruitment and retention.
• Exercise full engagement on compliance, budget, procurement, student data, academic assessments, and campus safety with support from the Home Office/Operations Team.
• Make recommendations for improvement as necessary and cooperate with the back-office service provider to meet all school administrative activities.
• Partner with Human Resources to execute a highly effective talent management system for recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, recognizing, and supporting all school site staff.
• Ensure non-discrimination practices in the selection process of faculty and staff by adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
• Collaborate with the Home Office/Operations Team on review and reporting requirements of the 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 distribution, collection, approval, and verifications as applicable.
• Complete all accountability reports and oversee all student enrollment reports to the state; ensure compliance in all areas.
• Manage student recruitment and retention and achieve goals of retaining 85% of students annually.
• Understand and address all compliance items as they relate to the school's Sponsor Agreement.
• Maintain a master school calendar to be posted for all stakeholders in all appropriate mediums (e.g., website, social media, student/parent guide, employee handbook).
• Work with the Home Office staff to ensure all marketing and communications tools are up-to-date and active.
• Engage in regular communications with the Home Office/Operations Team about the needs, successes, and general operation of the school.
• Maintain open and ongoing daily and/or weekly 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, effectively communicating the school's mission and vision.
• Solicit input from parents and families about school performance, areas for improvement, and their needs.
• Understand, accept, abide by, and implement the school's philosophy and mission statement in all school activities.
• Contribute to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standards.
• Engage and build strong professional relationships with parents, characterized by timely and regular communication.
• Cultivate partnerships with external organizations that enrich the culture of the school, as well as strong working relationships with other 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 their instructional planning, instructional 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 and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently.
• 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 a diverse group of 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 those featuring 21st Century learning strategies like 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 in the academic years.

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 strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals.