Principal

About the School

Manhattan Charter School is a high‑performing charter school located on the Lower East Side in New York City. Founded in 2005 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the school is committed to providing every child with the tools and support necessary for success. Its vision is to close opportunity, imagination, and achievement gaps for high‑need students by empowering, inspiring, and equipping them to fulfill their potential. The mission focuses on teaching students how to learn, cultivating curious minds, and developing a solid foundation for wise choices and meaningful lives. MCS prepares students to achieve high academic levels in the four core subjects and music, communicate effectively in verbal, mathematical, and musical languages, and apply critical thinking and ethical standards to learning, living, and problem‑solving.

Position Summary

The Elementary School Principal will serve as the instructional and operational leader of the school, ensuring that all students achieve academic excellence within a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. The principal will manage staff, oversee daily operations, foster strong relationships with families, and align the school’s performance with the charter network’s mission, vision, and values.

Key Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership: Lead development and implementation of high‑quality curriculum and instructional practices aligned with state standards and school goals; analyze student achievement data to inform decisions, interventions, and professional development; provide coaching, feedback, and PD to teachers and staff; foster a culture of high expectations, continuous improvement, and accountability.
• Operational Leadership: Oversee daily operations including scheduling, student enrollment, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations; manage the school budget and resources to ensure alignment with priorities and financial sustainability; ensure a safe, clean, and well‑maintained physical environment that supports learning.
• Student and Family Engagement: Promote a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion and supports social‑emotional well‑being; build strong partnerships with families, engaging them as active participants; address student behavior with a trauma‑informed, restorative approach that prioritizes growth and accountability.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high‑performing staff committed to the school’s mission; build a collaborative, supportive team culture focused on ambitious student outcomes; conduct staff evaluations and provide actionable feedback aligned with professional growth.
• Compliance and Accountability: Ensure adherence to all charter authorizer requirements, including reporting, compliance, and accountability metrics; lead preparations for authorizer site visits, audits, and other evaluations; stay current with state and federal education policies to ensure full compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, School Administration, or a related field.
• State certification as a School Building Leader (SBL) or equivalent (as required).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in education, including teaching and school leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in improving student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of elementary curriculum, instructional strategies, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Experience working in a charter school or urban school setting preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Passion for providing high‑quality education to all students, especially those in underserved communities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities, with capacity to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Cultural competence and a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Courage to make decisions aligned with the school’s vision and mission, even in challenging circumstances.

Core Values Alignment

The candidate demonstrates curiosity, opportunity, and courage in all leadership practices, reflecting the values of the charter school network.

Compensation

$100,000 - $150,000 per year