Middle School Principal

ACCEL Schools•Belle Isle, FL

7d•$80,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

ACCEL Schools is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal for Cornerstone Academy in Westerville, Ohio. The ideal candidate will be dedicated to providing a superior education and creating a rigorous, nurturing environment that prioritizes student engagement and achievement. The Principal serves as the instructional and administrative leader, responsible for the school's academic vision, student advancement, and daily operations. This includes ensuring successful academic outcomes, implementing professional development, assessing teacher quality, and advancing curriculum and pedagogy. Cornerstone Academy is an award-winning, top-performing charter school serving K-12 students, known for its well-rounded, college-prep education with an emphasis on art, music, and STEM, and a nurturing staff. ACCEL Schools is a network of public charter schools serving K-12 students across the United States since 2014.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Education or related discipline required.
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 as well as effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently.
Understanding of and ability to manage confidential information.
Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
Passion for improving educational opportunities for all students and for 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.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in education/educational leadership strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership: Leading strategic instructional design and practice, including implementing an integrated curriculum, directing instructional coaching and evaluation, systematic use of assessment data, and maximizing the impact of the blended learning model. Developing, implementing, and leading instructional programs, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, and lesson plans, and observing classes to encourage diverse instructional strategies. Delivering high levels of achievement and learning for all students through rigorous and engaging programs. Meeting all goals related to student achievement, school culture, and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Facilitating the implementation of a standards-based curriculum, reviewing lesson plans weekly, and conducting frequent walk-throughs/teacher debriefs. Assuming responsibility for student achievement in academics and social-emotional wellbeing. Serving as the instructional leader by facilitating a growth-focused professional environment. Developing and/or modifying cultural programming and school-wide PBIS with an emphasis on appropriate conduct and behavior. Working with staff to plan and coordinate teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and data days. Developing and implementing consistent professional development for teachers, ensuring regular instructional training aligns with research-based methodologies. Implementing behavior management practices that ensure consistent norms of orderly, respectful behavior, motivating students through strong relationships and positive reinforcement. Facilitating and directing the Special Education program and ensuring participants achieve at high levels. Coordinating all phases of summer educational opportunities and before/after school programs.
Team Leadership: Establishing a strong school community culture by maintaining positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with faculty, staff, parents, students, and stakeholders. Leading teachers, staff, and school leaders collaboratively, including supervision, coaching, and performance management. Leading the teacher evaluation program and ensuring teachers have opportunities to meet professional goals and execute ACCEL Schools instructional best practices. Evaluating teachers per the State Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES). Overseeing the professional development program, ensuring a strong, collaborative professional community, regular training, and a meaningful summer experience. Creating a student support system that addresses academic and behavioral needs holistically, involving parents, teachers, and relevant staff.
Organizational Leadership: Managing daily school 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. Engaging fully in compliance, budget, procurement, student data, academic assessments, and campus safety with support from the Home Office/Operations Team. Cooperating with the back-office service provider for administrative activities and making recommendations for improvement. Partnering with Human Resources to execute a highly effective talent management system for recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, recognizing, and supporting staff. Ensuring non-discrimination practices in faculty and staff selection by adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements. Collaborating with the Home Office/Operations Team on review and reporting requirements for the State, charter authorizing agency, Federal regulatory agencies, and the school sponsor, including the charter renewal process. Implementing the national school lunch program, transportation, audits, student application distribution, collection, approval, and verifications with support from the operations team. Completing all accountability reports and overseeing student enrollment reports to the state, ensuring compliance. Managing student recruitment and retention to achieve goals of retaining 85% of students annually. Understanding and addressing all compliance items related to the school’s Sponsor Agreement. Maintaining a master school calendar for all stakeholders across appropriate mediums. Working with Home Office staff to ensure marketing and communications tools are up-to-date. Engaging in regular communications with the Home Office/Operations Team about school needs, successes, and operations. Maintaining open and ongoing meetings with the Regional Vice President. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students and colleagues. Assisting with updating parent and student manuals, policies, and handbooks.
Community Leadership: Acting as the school's point person to the local community, effectively communicating the school's mission and vision, and soliciting input from parents and families. Understanding, accepting, and implementing the school's philosophy and mission statement. Contributing to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standards. Engaging and building strong professional relationships with parents through timely and regular communication. Cultivating partnerships with external organizations and building strong working relationships with other local districts and charter authorizers. Planning and conducting student and family orientations. Coordinating special projects like peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement. Conducting home visits as needed. Performing other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary short-term disability insurance
Voluntary long-term disability insurance
Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals