K-8 Principal

Jersey City Global Charter School•Jersey City, NJ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal of Jersey City Global Charter School (JCGCS) is an experienced visionary instructional leader responsible for ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, cultivating a positive school culture, and fostering innovative practices, especially through our signature MicroSociety program. The Principal will oversee curriculum, instruction, and assessment to ensure academic excellence for all students, while also managing day-to-day school-based operations and supporting governance, growth planning, and succession planning in collaboration with the CEO and Board of Trustees. The Principal serves as the primary on-site administrator for the school, overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, and acting as a key liaison between the school, Board of Trustees, CEO, parents, and the wider community. The ideal candidate is a deeply committed collaborative leader that utilizes a shared decision making approach to prepare students for success in college, careers, and civic life, while nurturing a positive atmosphere for staff and students aligned to creativity, visionary leadership, and real-world problem- solving through project-based and community-connected learning.

Requirements

Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field required
NJ Principal Certification (or eligibility) strongly preferred
Minimum of 5 years of school leadership experience, preferably in a charter or innovative school setting.
Demonstrated success in driving academic achievement through strong instructional leadership.
Proven ability to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-achieving school culture.
Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Commitment to equity, innovation, and continuous professional growth.

Nice To Haves

Experience with project-based learning, MicroSociety, or similar experiential education models preferred.

Responsibilities

Exercise leadership in school-level planning for improvement of instruction and overall academic performance.
Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and revision of curriculum in alignment with state standards and JCGCS's mission, integrating innovative strategies and MicroSociety experiences.
Select and monitor appropriate instructional materials to ensure high-quality delivery of the instructional program.
Plan, organize, and supervise all curricular and extracurricular activities in conjunction with the leadership team.
Conduct observations of teaching and non-teaching staff; provide written feedback and actionable suggestions for improvement.
Create the master teaching schedule and classroom assignments to maximize instructional time and support diverse learning needs.
Ensure robust intervention systems for struggling learners and enrichment opportunities for advanced learners.
Oversee and train staff on the effective use of data to inform instructional practices, create individualized learning plans, and track student progress.
Build and sustain a safe, inclusive, and joyful learning environment rooted in restorative practices, equity, and high expectations for behavior and academic engagement.
Ensure students feel a sense of belonging, pride, and responsibility for their learning community; promote systems for recognition, celebration, and restorative conflict resolution as well as promote the consistent integration of student voice into aspects of teaching and learning.
Create and maintain a positive, supportive, and collaborative climate for all instructional and non-instructional staff.
Foster trust, transparency, and professional respect among team members.
Implement strategies to recognize achievements, address concerns promptly, and ensure staff feel valued and supported in their roles.
Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and recognition for staff; address performance and interpersonal issues constructively to maintain a healthy workplace.
Model open communication, celebrate successes, encourage innovation, and maintain systems for gathering staff feedback and problem-solving collaboratively.
Lead the strategic integration of MicroSociety principles into curriculum and daily school life, ensuring students engage in authentic, student-run ventures and civic experiences.
Encourage and support innovative teaching methods, cross-disciplinary projects, and real-world learning experiences.
Partner with community organizations, businesses, and cultural institutions to expand student opportunities.
Manage the school in accordance with law, administrative code, board policies, and regulations.
Ensure safe storage and appropriate destruction of student and personnel files and other confidential records.
Plan and supervise required fire and emergency drills in accordance with law and board policy.
Ensure the safekeeping, collection, and accounting of school activity funds.
Develop and maintain an efficient office system to support school administrative functions.
Prepare or supervise the preparation of all required reports, records, and documents for the school such reports in NJDOE Homeroom/NJSMART etc.
Maintain cooperative working relationships with law enforcement to ensure a safe and drug-free school environment.
Ensure compliance with laws and regulations regarding incidents of violence, vandalism, substance abuse, and possession of firearms.
Support the CEO in preparing for Board and Committee meetings; attend and actively participate in all meetings.
Keep the CEO informed of school activities, needs, and emerging issues.
Provide the CEO with updates as needed (daily/weekly).
Work collaboratively with the CEO on district-related matters.
Recruit, interview, recommend for appointment, assign, supervise, and evaluate the performance of all school employees.
Provide coaching, professional development, and mentoring to support teachers and staff in meeting their job goals.
Develop internal leadership pathways for aspiring leaders within the school.
Conduct leadership development and professional learning aligned to school priorities and staff needs.
Oversee and ensure implementation of the school's three-phase benchmark assessment cycle (e.g., baseline, midyear, end-of-year), ensuring alignment with instructional pacing and interventions.
Train staff on using benchmark data to inform instruction, group students, and provide individualized support.
Coordinate and oversee New Jersey State Assessment (NJSLA/NJGPA/ACCESS, etc.) preparation, scheduling, and execution; ensure all protocols and timelines are followed with fidelity.
Ensure that all required academic reports and documentation related to testing and assessment are completed accurately and on time by staff.
Use assessment data to drive decision-making around student supports, intervention programs, and staff development; prepare reports on data outcomes as requested by the CEO after each testing cycle and state assessment phase.
Oversee the development, review, and modification of individualized learning plans for all students based on assessment data.
Serve as the primary liaison between the school, home, and community.
Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers through newsletters, updates, events, and direct outreach.
Plan and supervise regularly scheduled parent/teacher conferences, as well as special meetings as needed.
Collaborate effectively with the PTO and other parent organizations to support school initiatives, fundraising, and community-building events.
Address parent concerns promptly, constructively, and transparently.
Encourage broad community participation in school affairs and ensure required communications are made in compliance with law and administrative code.
Attend special events recognizing student and staff achievement.
Represent the school at community events, conferences, and professional gatherings.
Maintain memberships in professional organizations and engage in ongoing professional learning.
Stay informed on best practices in educational leadership, curriculum, assessment, and school operations.