Principal | Cedar Rapids Prep

Cedar Rapids Prep • Cedar Rapids, IA

2d • $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Due to an unexpected leadership transition, Cedar Rapids Prep is seeking an exceptional Principal to carry forward the unprecedented work already underway. This is a rare opportunity to step into a school with a winning culture, a deeply committed team, and a community that is fully invested in its mission - and to lead it to even greater heights. Reporting to the Chief of Schools, James Troupis, the Principal is the instructional, cultural, and operational leader of Cedar Rapids Prep. This leader will sustain and accelerate what has already been built while guiding the school through its next chapter of growth - including the addition of high school grades and a new $30M+ flagship campus in Hiawatha currently under renovation. This is not a turnaround. This is an acceleration. The right leader walks into a school community that loves what it’s becoming - one with the resources, support, and philanthropic backing to go further than any Iowa K–12 school has gone before.

Requirements

• Demonstrated results as a school leader, including strong academic outcomes and a culture where students are engaged, known, and doing meaningful work
• Proven ability to lead and develop adults, including experience managing managers and building high-performing teams
• Track record of owning outcomes and delivering results, not just leading initiatives
• Strong instructional leadership, including setting vision, using data to drive decisions, and ensuring high-quality coaching and professional learning systems
• Experience building and sustaining partnerships with community organizations, employers, and postsecondary institutions
• Experience managing school budgets and operations with sound judgment and attention to detail
• At least 10 years of experience in education and a minimum of 5 years managing other adults
• The Principal must currently hold an Iowa administrator’s license, OR possess a valid out-of-state administrator license with the ability to transfer it to Iowa within one year, OR demonstrate a clear pathway to obtaining Iowa K–12 administrator licensure within one year of hire
• The Principal must establish residency in or near Cedar Rapids.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership Build, develop, and retain a high-performing team of educators and operations staff, creating a culture that is both deeply positive and relentlessly focused on results
• Own school-wide hiring, onboarding, and performance management, ensuring clear expectations, consistent feedback, and accountability for outcomes
• Foster a staff community grounded in collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared ownership of student success
• Instructional Leadership Set and uphold a clear vision for excellent instruction rooted in Opportunity Education Network’s approach to active learning and student engagement
• Build and manage the instructional leadership system, including the Dean of Academics and instructional coaches, to ensure consistent, high-quality coaching across classrooms
• Use walkthroughs, student work, and data to monitor instructional quality and drive alignment, consistency, and continuous improvement
• Ensure professional learning is purposeful, data-driven, and directly tied to improving classroom practice and student outcomes
• Hold a high bar for rigor and personalization, ensuring every student is on a pathway that leads to strong academic growth and meaningful postsecondary options
• Culture & Community Be a constant, visible presence in the school, building real relationships with students and knowing them well
• Protect and strengthen a culture where every student feels they belong and is expected to do hard things
• Set a clear, high bar for behavior, engagement, and academic ownership, and ensure it is consistently upheld across the school
• Actively motivate, celebrate, and push students and staff, creating a culture that is both joyful and ambitious
• Ensure students experience consistency and clarity in expectations across classrooms, transitions, and the full school day
• Operational Excellence Oversee day-to-day operations for the school or assigned campus, ensuring systems run smoothly, reliably, and without distraction from learning
• Partner closely with the Dean of Operations to deliver strong execution across scheduling, budget, compliance, and facilities
• Create a consistently excellent family and student experience, from first impression to daily interactions, with attention to detail in how the school feels and operates
• Manage resources responsibly, making sound, student-centered decisions that reflect strong budget discipline
• Support the school’s growth and evolution, adapting systems and structures as the campus expands
• External Relations Ensure the school is fully enrolled through strong recruitment, family experience, and retention
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with local organizations, employers, and community leaders to expand opportunities for students
• Develop and sustain relationships with civic and political leaders to support the school’s long-term success
• Serve as the public face and steward of the school, representing its mission with clarity and credibility in the community

Benefits

• Full participation in IPERs
• Full benefits package including health, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to/become a part of the Opportunity Education Network and national school leader community and impact
• Supported by significant philanthropic support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed