Associate Head of School - Friendship Public Charter School

Overview

Friendship Public Charter School operates a thriving network of college preparatory public charter schools. Headquartered in Washington, DC., Friendship serves over 4,800 students in preschool to grade 12 and guides a growing network of alumni to college completion annually.  Our mission is to prepare students to become ethical, literate, well-rounded, and self-sufficient citizens by providing a world-class education that motivates students to reach high academic standards, to enjoy learning, to achieve success, and to contribute actively to their communities. For 25 years, with the support and guidance of our exceptional faculty, our students have risen to the challenge with high graduation rates, college acceptances, and unparalleled success academically and socially.

The Associate Head of School directly manages a Friendship PCS Principal. Their main objective is to ensure the leadership and management necessary to administer and supervise all programs, policies and activities of the school is in place. They also ensure high quality educational experiences, outcomes, and services for the students in a safe and enriching environment.

Successful Associate Head of School would rapidly move into a Deputy Head of School position after a period of documented results and achievement.

Responsibilities

• Management & Leadership School

• Ensure the development of School Leaders and support them as they grow and increase the impact of members of their leadership teams
• Serve as a thought partner to School Leaders as they lead their respective teams
• Lead succession planning for School Leaders in the schools they support
• Guide School Leaders as they develop Academy Directors, Deans, Special Education Coordinators, Instructional Specialists and others
• Work with school leadership teams to develop, drive, and achieve school goals and objectives consistent with the vision, mission and values of Friendship Public Charter School
• Ensure that School Leaders have clearly articulated plans for daily operations and implementation of student services, including support services, discipline management, enrollment, parent and student satisfaction, as well as crisis intervention
• Create and model a culture of excellence, teamwork, respect, and collaboration inside and amongst Friendship campuses for team members, students and families
• Work with Head of School, Chief Academic Officer, and School Leaders to develop and implement long-range plans for curriculum, instructional evaluation, and school improvement
• Ensure that School Leaders have a clear, ambitious yet viable plan for improving instruction and school culture
• Engage School Leaders in quarterly academic program analysis
• Participate in organizational efforts to develop and implement a method for systematic performance evaluations and reflection for team members
• Maintain compliance with state and federal regulations for academic and operational standards/requirements

• Academic Achievement
• Lead school leadership team(s) to elevate Friendship schools to Level 1 status based upon the Washington, D.C. Public Charter School Board’s ASPIRE accountability framework. Specific accountability metrics include:
• Student re-enrollment
• Student attendance rates
• Student proficiency rates on the high-stakes DC assessments
• Student growth rates on high-stakes DC assessments
• Curriculum Development and Alignment:

• Collaborate with curriculum specialists and teachers to develop, implement, and align curriculum with academic standards and district goals
• Ensure that the curriculum is engaging, relevant, and meets the diverse needs of students

• Professional Development:
  • Develop and implement professional development programs for teachers and staff, focusing on instructional strategies, technology integration, and continuous improvement
  • Provide ongoing support and coaching to leaders & educators to enhance their teaching practices
  • Measure the impact of professional development programs on overall  impact, teacher effectiveness and instructional practices
• Data Analysis and Assessment:
  • Analyze student performance data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement
  • Lead school leadership team(s) to develop and implement data-driven strategies for improving student achievement
  • Monitor and analyze student performance data, including test scores, academic growth, and other accountability measures to ensure continuous improvement in student outcomes
• School Improvement Planning:
  • Collaborate with the leadership team(s) to create and implement school improvement plans that address specific academic needs and goals
  • Monitor the progress of improvement initiatives and adjust strategies as needed
  • Monitor the allocation and utilization of resources to support academic programs and initiatives effectively
• Fostering a Positive School Culture
  • Model Friendship's Core Values and mission at all times
  • Support the implementation of proactive student discipline strategies
  • Establish a positive school culture that promotes academic excellence and all stakeholders feel safe, supported, and valued. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Highly motivated, confident, and able to work without direct supervision

• Ability to work well in a team environment and to perform under pressure to meet deadlines and organization goals
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to draft clear and concise memoranda
• Highly organized and attentive to detail
• Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively
• Experience setting budget priorities and allocating resources
• Experience developing strong relationships with parents, students, staff, and community that keep them informed, invested in and supportive of the school community.
• Proven experience developing school leaders and faculty through coaching, professional development, modeling, and collaborative planning
• Superior knowledge of and experience with implementing effective instructional and culture practices
• Demonstrated success managing staff through planning, motivating, rewarding, and providing targeted feedback and professional development

Qualifications

• 4+ years of Principal experience with demonstrated exemplary results in an urban setting

• 3+ years of successful classroom teaching experience with demonstrated exemplary results, preferably within an urban setting
• Commitment to providing a world-class education to students from historically underserved communities
• Bachelor’s Degree (Required)
• Master’s Degree or Doctorate in Education Administration or related field (Preferred)
• A passion for educational excellence, data-driven instruction, and a personal commitment to accountability for results

FPCS’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at FPCS are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.