Principal | Founding Years Middle School | ECPA

Elevate Charter Schools•New Haven, CT

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is New Haven’s first dedicated middle school for young men. Our mission is to develop resourceful, resilient, and responsible young men who think critically, lead ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. ECPA provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters mastery of learning while preparing students to navigate real-world choices with confidence and integrity. Through exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, leadership development, and hands-on learning opportunities, our young men cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in high school, college, and beyond. ECPA is seeking a dynamic and mission‑driven Founding Years Principal to lead the school into its next chapter, taking the baton from Year 1 and building upon the early foundation established with our inaugural 5th and 6th grade cohorts. As the instructional and cultural leader, the Founding Years Principal will create the conditions for students, staff, and families to thrive as the school continues to grow into Year 2 and beyond. In this role, the Founding Years Principal will coach and develop teachers and emerging leaders to drive rigorous, engaging instruction and cultivate strong classroom cultures where young men feel known, supported, and challenged to achieve at the highest levels. The principal will partner closely with staff and families to instill in students the confidence, discipline, and leadership skills necessary for success in high school, college, and beyond. This opportunity is ideal for a reflective, growth‑oriented leader who thrives on feedback, embraces continuous learning, and is adept at building and executing strong systems. The Founding Years Principal will play a pivotal role in shaping a school where young men of color excel academically, socially, and personally. The ideal candidate brings a balance of visionary leadership, operational expertise, and instructional acumen to drive student achievement and ensure the long‑term sustainability and success of a growing school community.

Requirements

5–7+ years of educational leadership experience (e.g. principal, AP, etc.) with a strong track record in secondary education.
Proven success leading schools or initiatives serving amazing yet historically underserved communities.
3+ years of teaching experience with demonstrated student achievement.
Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and ECPA, including a resolute and unshakable belief in the potential of every student - especially young me of color - to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level
CT 092 Certification (or equivalent/reciprocal) required.
Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field required; doctoral degree a plus.
Deep commitment to providing an equitable, high‑quality educational experience for historically underserved students, particularly young men of color.
Passion for fostering a school culture that develops students academically, socially, and personally, with a commitment to addressing the achievement gap and promoting educational equity.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, actively seeking feedback to refine leadership practice.
Balances visionary decision‑making with reflective leadership, embracing challenges as opportunities for improvement.
Models a growth‑oriented mindset for staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and ongoing development.
Adapts leadership approaches to meet the evolving needs of students, staff, and the school community.
Prioritizes the collective betterment of the school community, reinforcing shared learning and commitment to the mission.
Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop high‑performing teams, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.
Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff to reach their full potential, contributing to a collaborative and high‑performing school culture.
Experience designing and implementing systems that foster school‑wide success and leading teams through change, growth, and innovation.
Deep expertise in instructional leadership, including curriculum design, instructional coaching, and data‑driven school improvement.
Experience with diverse, inclusive, and culturally responsive teaching practices that support the success of all students, particularly young men of color.
Strong understanding of how to build and maintain a rigorous, mission‑aligned curriculum.
Skilled at using data to drive decision‑making, evaluate instructional practices, and assess student progress.
Strong analytical ability to identify areas of growth, track progress, and adjust strategies to ensure continuous improvement.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and build relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders, including staff, students, families, and community partners.
Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, navigating complex dynamics with professionalism and diplomacy.
You deeply align with the mission and values of ECS and ECPA, believe in the brilliance and promise of all students — particularly young men of color — and want to be part of their success story.
You welcome feedback, reflect deeply on your practice, and continuously seek to improve your craft.
You are flexible, solutions‑focused, and energized by the opportunity to build and refine systems in a founding school environment.
You thrive in a team‑based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.
You hold yourself and others to the highest standards and bring a student‑centered, “whatever it takes” mindset to creating a community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a start‑up or founding school environment strongly preferred.
Experience in a charter school or similar network preferred.
doctoral degree a plus.

Responsibilities

Establish and drive a clear, ambitious vision grounded in high expectations, deep belonging, and transformative learning.
Build and sustain a structured, student‑centered culture where young men develop confidence, leadership, and resilience.
Champion restorative practices, SEL, and character development.
Anticipate and respond to school‑wide challenges with proactive, solutions‑oriented leadership.
Inspire and manage educators to uphold strong classroom cultures and high academic and behavioral expectations.
Model a growth‑oriented mindset as a leader who is reflective, feedback‑seeking, and committed to continuous improvement.
Support Elevate's Talent Team in recruiting, hiring, onboarding and retaining mission‑aligned educators.
Cultivate a high‑performance adult culture rooted in trust, accountability, and evolutionary learning.
Ensure strong command and implementation of a rigorous, engaging, college‑preparatory curriculum aligned to both Elevate's and ECPA’s mission and values.
Use data to monitor progress and ensure all learners — especially those furthest from opportunity — achieve at high levels.
Lead coaching, professional development, and instructional improvement cycles.
Build and refine academic and intervention systems that accelerate achievement.
Design and implement systems and routines that maximize instructional time and school‑wide efficiency.
Manage budget, resources, and staffing needs in collaboration with ECS leadership.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Lead a high‑functioning leadership team to drive instructional and cultural excellence.
Build strong, trust‑based relationships with families and community partners.
Serve as the face of ECPA, communicating the school’s vision and priorities to internal and external stakeholders.
Lead family engagement initiatives and student leadership opportunities.
Partner with ECS leadership on long‑term sustainability, strategic planning, and external partnerships.
Ensure ECPA’s model reflects the needs and strengths of young men of color in New Haven.
Champion an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered.
Lead culturally responsive instructional practices and embed SEL and character development throughout the school experience.