ORGANIZATION

Common Ground High School is the nation’s longest-running environmental charter high school, founded in 1997. Our 225 students form an inclusive, powerful community of learners and leaders. These students benefit from a unique learning environment: an urban farm and 20-acre site, home to state of the art school facilities, adjacent to West Rock Ridge State Park, and located in New Haven, CT. We strive to create a learning environment grounded in foundational building blocks: rigor, responsive relationships, relevance that’s rooted in the local community and environment, and real roles & rights. Common Ground’s graduation rate consistently surpasses the state average, and between 97 and 100% of our students are accepted to college each year. 

Common Ground High School is part of a community nonprofit organization that also operates an urban farm and community environmental education center. As a whole, Common Ground is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world. We work toward this mission through active, authentic learning rooted in justice and our environment: a farm, in a forest, in a city.

For more information on Common Ground High School, please visit https://commongroundct.org/. 

OPPORTUNITY

Common Ground High School is looking for their next School Director starting in July 2021. The ideal candidate is a dynamic and proven school leader, who shares our roots-deep commitment to help all students grow into their full potential -- blazing pathways to college success and continuous learning, meaningful careers, whole and healthy lives, their individual passions, and powerful leadership for a just and sustainable world. 

The School Director is part of a strong leadership team and community of educators. The School Director reports to the Executive Director of the community non-profit (New Haven Ecology Project), and is part of that organization’s management team. The School Director leads the school leadership team and supervises a team of 50 teachers, support educators, and other staff members. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Leadership

• Recruit, hire, supervise & support the growth and effectiveness of Common Ground’s 25 full-time and part-time teachers;
• With Common Ground’s School Leadership team, ensure that Common Ground’s curriculum is rigorous and rooted in high standards, vertically and horizontally aligned, and reflects Common Ground’s unique environmental justice mission;
• Continue to build Common Ground’s culture of using data, aligned with our unique mission and CT state accountability frameworks;
• Build a common expectation around excellent teaching and learning, aligned with Common Ground’s foundational building blocks;
• Lead annual cycles of school strategic planning, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, and take responsibility for meeting state accountability measures for school improvement;
• Plan and lead weekly staff meetings and annual professional development planning;
• Ensure student, family, and community voices are consistently elevated and included in instructional decisions.

   

Inclusive, Positive Learning and Working Environment

• Build a culture where all students can be their whole selves and are held to high standards;
• Inspire, lead, and promote a culture and climate that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of passionate, highly qualified people;
• Engages with families, community members and other stakeholders in an authentic, purposeful way that reflects Common Ground’s commitment to being a community school.

   

School Finance & Operations

• Create and manage the budget for Common Ground High School;
• Ensure compliance with all state and federal government regulations;
• Work with the Executive Director and leadership team to maintain the school facilities and site;
• Communicate with public audiences proactively and reactively in alignment with Common Ground’s mission and values.

   

QUALIFICATIONS

In order to meet their responsibilities, the ideal School Director candidate will have a:

• Deep, unshakable belief in the capacity of all young people to learn and lead;
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of environmental justice, environmental leadership, anti-racism, and the dismantling of systems of oppression;
• Proven track record of coaching and supervising teachers and staff, building a strong community of practice among educators;
• Demonstrated skill building positive school culture, strong relationships with students and their families;
• Track record of prior experience as a teacher and leader in urban public schools (prior experience working in or with charter schools is preferred);
• Connecticut school administrator certification (092), or the ability to obtain this certification.

   

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Common Ground High School offers a competitive salary of $125,000 and a robust benefits package. More details can be provided upon request.

This is a full time, 12 month position. Competitive salary and benefits package includes vacation, sick, and holiday time, medical, dental, disability, life insurance, and retirement plan. Homemade lunch from the farm is provided free to all employees. 

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at  https://apply.workable.com/j/B51B519EFA. For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Kevin Bryant at kbryant@edgilityconsulting.com or at 510.575.9635.

Common Ground High School 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.