ORGANIZATION

Portal Schools is an emerging network of microschools designed to do better for students by crafting an educational experience that disrupts the traditional school model. In its program, students simultaneously attain a high school diploma and Bachelor’s degree. Portal Schools’ campuses are shared with partnering corporations, giving students the opportunity to dive into hands-on internships and obtain a diverse range of invaluable learning experiences and skill development. With its first campus opening in Los Angeles in the fall of 2021, Portal Schools will serve an intentionally diverse student population through a model that is student-centered, competency-based and workforce development focused. Portal Schools solves issues of student debt and career alignment to get students to the real world more successfully. 

To learn more about Portal Schools, please visit www.portalschools.org. 

OPPORTUNITY

The leader in this role will serve as the Founding Head of School for Portal Schools’ new Los Angeles region. This individual will implement the vision and mission of Portal Schools locally and lead the launch of up to eight microschools in the Los Angeles area over the next five years. This person will implement policies, programs and curriculum in a manner that promotes the educational and personal development of each student in accordance with the organization’s model. In this role, the Founding Head of School will serve as both the instructional leader and external representative for Portal Schools in the Los Angeles region. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities of the Founding Head of School will include:

• Managing staff and day-to-day school operations for the LA region, including: hiring, onboarding and developing team members; developing and leading site-based professional development; and working with the CEO and COO on implementing the region’s growth plan and expanding partnership opportunities. 
• Overseeing curriculum and career-connected learning for the region’s students, including: supporting the development of curriculum to ensure students are receiving the appropriate competency-based coursework to meet state A-G college entrance requirements; engaging the potential future corporate host sites; and ensuring proper management of student internships, job shadows and other work experience opportunities on sites. 
• Leading student recruitment/enrollment and communication with existing families, including: overseeing all LA-based outreach and student recruitment; managing student matriculation and orientation of new families; planning and supervising student and family events; ensuring adequate provision of student and family services (counseling, etc.); and communicating with families about discipline and other concerns. 
• Finance and systems management, including: managing school site finances, including site budgets; finalizing programmatic components and master schedules; overseeing student records management, including transcripts, credits, and tracking of non-academic data as needed. 

QUALIFICATIONS

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Founding Head of School candidate will be:

• An experienced school leader with a track record of success (three or more years) and with secondary and/or college teaching or counseling experience, preferably in a project-based or competency-based setting (five or more years). 
• Committed to the Portal Schools model and non-traditional approaches to student learning. 
• Entrepreneurial, with an interest in launching and growing a start-up; preference for candidates with experience in scaling a school, social sector organization or private enterprise. 
• Culturally competent and a self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other issues of difference in society and is able to lead direct conversations about them.
• A builder of authentic relationships with students, families, staff and community partners; able to engage with a variety of individuals and speaks in a clear and compelling manner about the school’s goals and priorities.
• A strong manager and culture builder, who knows how to hold people accountable while bringing out their best. 
• Familiar with student recruitment, enrollment and other forms of community outreach (partnership development, fundraising, etc.). 

Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred. 
• Certification in school administration, teaching and/or counseling preferred. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This position offers a competitive salary range of $120,000-130,000 and robust benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://bit.ly/2I9oJBy. For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Serena Moy at smoy@edgilityconsulting.com or at 510.575.9635.

Portal Schools is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.