School Principal - Grades 4th - 6th

About the Role

Crescent Academy is seeking a dynamic, instructional, and student-centered Principal for Grades 4–6 to provide strong leadership for our upper elementary school program. Crescent Academy serves over 500 students at grade level PreK-12. We believe in the whole child approach which means that academy staff assists students and their families in bettering their outcomes by creating a college bound culture that expects and teaches strong character, academic achievement, and civic engagement.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Lead the instructional program for Grades 4–6 and ensure alignment with Michigan academic standards.
• Establish and communicate clear instructional expectations for teachers.
• Conduct frequent classroom observations, walkthroughs, and instructional feedback cycles.
• Monitor lesson planning, instructional delivery, student engagement, differentiation, and classroom management.
• Use student achievement data to identify areas of need and develop targeted instructional responses.
• Lead and participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), data meetings, and instructional planning.
• Ensure teachers implement small-group instruction and interventions based on student performance data.
• Support implementation of the school's HMH Reading curriculum and mathematics programming.
• Monitor implementation of intervention and MTSS practices for students requiring additional academic support.
• Work collaboratively with Reading and Math Specialists to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and targeted interventions.
• Ensure consistent use of NWEA MAP Growth and other assessment data to drive instructional decisions.

Student Achievement & Accountability

• Establish measurable academic goals for Grades 4–6.
• Monitor student progress throughout the school year and develop action plans when students are not meeting expectations.
• Analyze assessment data by grade level, classroom, student subgroup, and individual student.
• Ensure students receive timely interventions and appropriate academic support.
• Monitor student mastery of foundational reading, vocabulary, writing, mathematics, and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain a culture of high expectations in which all students are expected to grow academically.

School Culture & Student Management

• Establish a safe, structured, respectful, and academically focused school environment.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the building, classrooms, hallways, arrival, dismissal, lunch, and transitions.
• Ensure consistent implementation of schoolwide behavior expectations and PBIS practices.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to student behavior concerns.
• Work with teachers and support staff to develop effective classroom management systems.
• Build positive relationships with students while maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.
• Monitor attendance and student engagement and implement appropriate interventions for students with attendance concerns.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise, evaluate, coach, and support teachers and school-based staff.
• Establish clear expectations for professional performance, attendance, punctuality, lesson preparation, and instructional practice.
• Provide timely feedback and professional coaching.
• Identify professional development needs based on classroom observations and student data.
• Support new teachers through mentoring and structured onboarding.
• Recognize strong performance while addressing performance concerns promptly and professionally.
• Foster a collaborative staff culture centered on student achievement and continuous improvement.

Family & Community Engagement

• Develop strong, professional relationships with parents and families.
• Maintain open and timely communication regarding student academic and behavioral progress.
• Respond professionally to parent concerns and work toward solutions that support student success.
• Participate in school events, family engagement activities, and community initiatives.
• Promote Crescent Academy's mission, vision, and academic expectations within the school community.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure the Grades 4–6 campus operates efficiently and safely each day.
• Maintain compliance with district, state, authorizer, and applicable federal requirements.
• Monitor student records, attendance, discipline documentation, and other required school documentation.
• Work collaboratively with district leadership regarding staffing, scheduling, enrollment, facilities, transportation, food service, safety, and other operational needs.
• Participate in leadership meetings and district initiatives.
• Assist with recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of highly qualified staff.

Leadership Expectations

• Be highly visible and present in the school.
• Lead instruction—not simply manage operations.
• Set high academic and behavioral expectations.
• Use data to make decisions rather than relying solely on anecdotal information.
• Hold adults accountable while providing appropriate support and coaching.
• Build strong relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Address problems directly and promptly.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and consistently.
• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Model professionalism, integrity, and a growth mindset.
• Be willing to work collaboratively with district leadership and instructional specialists.
• Maintain a relentless focus on improving outcomes for students.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
• Valid Michigan School Administrator Certificate or eligibility for appropriate Michigan administrative certification.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful teaching experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an elementary or middle school setting.
• Experience using student achievement data to drive instructional improvement.
• Strong understanding of curriculum, assessment, MTSS, differentiated instruction, and classroom management.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teachers.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred

• Prior experience as an assistant principal, principal, instructional coach, dean, or other school leadership role.
• Experience leading Grades 4–6 or an upper-elementary program.
• Experience with NWEA MAP Growth or comparable assessment systems.
• Experience with HMH or other high-quality literacy and mathematics curricula.
• Experience implementing PBIS and MTSS.
• Experience working in a charter school or similar educational environment.
• Demonstrated record of improving student achievement.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, Vision, & Dental Plans
• Life, ADD, STD, LTD 100% paid by the employer
• Voluntary Plans Available

To learn more about Crescent Academy, please visit our website at http://www.crescentacademycharterschool.com/.