Durham Charter School, High School Principal

Edgility Search•Durham, NC

10d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

Durham Charter School seeks a High School Principal to lead a growing, high-performing school with a proven track record and a clear trajectory. In 2026, DCS will graduate its first senior class, marking the completion of a true K–12 model and the beginning of the school's next phase of growth. The high school is expanding from 250 to 400 students over the next two years, as part of a 1,450-student K–12 campus on 50 acres in Durham, North Carolina. The incoming principal will work alongside the Middle School Principal and operations teams in a brand new 80,000 square foot facility that includes a gymnasium, orchestra, dance, choir, and robotics rooms, as well as soccer and baseball facilities. The High School Principal will also play a central role in the school's athletics program, which is a growing and visible part of DCS's identity. The next High School Principal will inherit strong academic momentum, a distinctive school model, and a staff that is committed to the mission. The work of this first phase has built a strong foundation. The next principal will be charged with building on it to define what excellence looks like at the high school level.

Requirements

Instructional leadership. A deep knowledge of what great teaching looks like, the ability to develop it in others, and high expectations held without apology.
Experience in a high-performing, structured school culture. A track record of building or sustaining a culture where expectations are high, norms are taught explicitly, and scholars feel both challenged and cared for.
A builder's mindset. An orientation toward shaping a program, not just maintaining one, thinking in systems, planning ahead, and executing with discipline.
Commitment to college and career access. A genuine belief that every scholar deserves real post-secondary opportunity, and the knowledge of how to build the structures that make it happen.
Relational excellence. The ability to earn trust with scholars, families, staff, and partners, leading with warmth while holding firm on what matters.
Alignment with our values. The heart of a lion, leading with integrity, approaching the work with optimism, and never settling for good when better is possible.
A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience, preferably in high school
Prior experience as a school administrator or secondary leader (academic dean, instructional coach, assistant principal, dean of students).

Nice To Haves

High School leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Drive rigorous, standards-aligned instruction across all high school classrooms using our Teach Like a Champion and Leverage Leadership frameworks
Coach and develop teachers through consistent observation, feedback, and professional development cycles
Monitor and respond to student performance data to accelerate growth and close gaps
Oversee the 9th and 10th grade course sequence that prepares every scholar for Durham Tech dual enrollment
Ensure scholars are enrolled, supported, and succeeding in the dual enrollment program.
Model and uphold DCS’s culture norms, behavior expectations, across the high school
Work closely with the Middle School Principal, who shares an 80,000 square foot facility
Build strong relationships with scholars, families, and staff grounded in high expectations and genuine care
Ensure every scholar feels known, loved, and connected to a school that believes in their future
Lead family engagement and communication for the high school program.
Grow the high school from 250 to 400+ students while maintaining quality and culture
Build a competitive, values-driven athletics program across multiple sports
Expand and strengthen the Arts Pathway, including the NC Arts Proficiency Endorsement pipeline
Develop the systems, structures, and people that will define the high school for years to come
Partner with Durham Tech to deepen the dual enrollment relationship and increase scholar completion rates.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the high school with excellence and consistency
Recruit, hire, develop, and retain exceptional teachers and staff
Collaborate with the Executive Director and school leadership team on strategic priorities
Represent DCS with external partners, including Durham Tech, community organizations, and prospective families.

Benefits

State of North Carolina benefits including TSERS retirement pension
Signing bonus available for exceptional candidates
Access to Relay National Principal Academy Fellows (NPAF) professional development

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