Principal

GPS Solutions LLC•Southfield, MI

3h•$70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Ascend Academy is preparing to open its doors in Fall 2026 in Battle Creek, Michigan — and we are seeking a dynamic, visionary Founding Principal to help bring this K–5 charter school to life. This is a rare opportunity to build a school from the ground up in partnership with GPS Solutions and a committed founding board. The ideal candidate is an instructional leader, culture builder, and systems thinker who thrives in start-up environments and believes deeply in the potential of every child. The Principal serves as the certified instructional and operational leader of Ascend Academy. Reporting to the CEO and working collaboratively with the Ascend Board and GPS cross-functional teams, the Principal will: Establish a strong instructional vision and academic framework Hire, develop, and coach a high-performing founding staff Build a positive, restorative school culture Oversee curriculum implementation and assessment systems Ensure operational readiness prior to opening Serve as the public-facing ambassador of the school This role is critical to ensuring Ascend Academy opens strong — not just on time. Ascend Academy will serve students in the Post Addition area of Battle Creek — a historically vibrant community ready for renewed educational opportunities . The school launch is designed to: Open fully operational in September 2026 Hire and train a complete instructional team before Day 1 Establish strong leadership clarity and team cohesion before launch Build a replicable high-performing school model You won’t be alone — this is a cross-functional launch effort with academic; operations, HR, and systems support aligned around clear goals and accountability. The Principal is responsible for cultivating instructional excellence, overseeing curriculum and assessment systems, supervising staff, and building community partnerships . Battle Creek serves approximately 4,700–5,300 elementary-aged children citywide, with a strong need for high-quality K–5 options. This is an opportunity to create lasting impact in a community ready for strong educational leadership.

Requirements

Master’s Degree (or higher) in Educational Leadership or related field
Valid Michigan Teacher Certification
Michigan School Administrator Certification
Proven instructional leadership
Experience developing or improving academic programs
Strong hiring and staff development experience
Ability to lead in high-poverty and diverse school communities
Data-driven decision-making mindset
Operational and compliance awareness
Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills
A culture architect — able to build systems of respect, safety, and restorative practices
A clarity-driven leader — values accountability and execution
A talent developer — committed to coaching teachers toward excellence
A community partner — visible, accessible, and collaborative
A builder — energized by launching something new