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Chief of Schools

Who We Are

Achievement Prep is an award-winning college-preparatory public charter school network committed to historically underserved communities of Southeast Washington, DC.  Our flagship middle school, which opened in 2008, serves approximately 500 scholars in 4th – 8th grade.  Opening in 2013, our elementary school, serves approximately 350 scholars in K – 3rd grade.  It also includes an early childhood partnership with AppleTree Institute, which serves approximately 160 preK3 and preK4 scholars.  Our mission is to prepare students to excel as high-achieving scholars and leaders in high school, college and beyond.

What You Will Do

The newly created Chief of Schools (CoS) position will lead a passionate, dedicated, and Teaching & Learning Team in improving outcomes for all scholars.  The successful CoS is accountable for sustaining and improving academic excellence and scholar achievement in all Achievement Prep schools.  S/he develops, supports, and pushes principals to lead rigorous, joyous and college-prep programs.  The CoS directly manages key Network Office leaders who ensure that teaching and learning aligns with the Achievement Prep Way (mission, core values, ethos, and theory of action) and creates positive outcomes for scholars.

Reporting to the Founder & CEO and directly managing Principals, the Managing Director of Curriculum & Instruction, and the Director of Scholar Support (special education), you will:

Visioning & Leadership

  • Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and work closely with other members of the senior leadership team to craft overall organizational strategy, priorities, and goals, with specific ownership of teaching and learning objectives
  • Provide effective and inspiring leadership through active involvement in all programs and services, developing broad and deep knowledge of the education sector and of Achievement Prep schools
  • Engage in visioning and planning work with network leadership to ensure continuous refinement of the Achievement Prep Way
  • Provide instructional program leadership, with specific responsibility for planning, implementation, assessment and improvement across all schools
  • Develop and implement, in partnership with the Chief Talent Officer, rigorous talent management strategies, ensuring that all Achievement Prep schools are staffed with highly effective teachers and leaders
  • Ensure that teaching and learning standards are aligned to national and state standards and support ongoing success for scholars
  • Identify and implement innovative, disciplined, and continuously improving processes and systems for teaching and learning
  • Hold teams accountable to operating and measuring results under established processes, systems, and metrics
  • Oversee the evaluation of assessment tools on a regular and ongoing basis
  • Implement data-driven decision-making practices at the network and school levels
  • Manage the use of data systems and the disaggregation of school data sets
  • Ensure that data is in service to learning and is accessible to teachers, parents, and scholars
  • Observe and evaluate teaching and learning efforts regularly through frequent school walkthroughs alongside school leaders
  • Represent the organization routinely to key stakeholders and partners, including external parties, investors, foundations, auditors, public officials and board members, instilling confidence among these constituents

Coaching & Development

  • Create resources and facilitate best teaching and learning practices across the network
  • Develop principals and facilitate the development of their campus-based leadership teams to lead high-performing schools
  • Support school leaders in developing well-planned, rigorous, timely, and differentiated professional development for their staff
  • Partner with senior leaders to design, refine, and provide impactful onboarding and professional development for school leaders
  • Support school leaders to ensure high-quality implementation of the schools’ educational design, including school culture, standards, assessments, and instructional guidelines
  • Assist campus-based leadership teams in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of programs,
  • Work with school leaders in identifying and acquiring appropriate program resources to ensure that curricula are scholar-focused and aligned with the schools mission, core values, ethos, academic standards, and strategic priorities
  • Facilitate collaboration among school leaders and across school sites to monitor and enhance operationalizing the Achievement Prep Way in an efficient and effective manner

 “Wind In The Sails” Support for Schools

  • Be on campus from at least 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily
  • Provide leadership to all staff and scholars in establishing a positive, structured, and achievement-oriented school culture 
  • Participate regularly in projects and initiatives that integrate Network Office staff into schools
  • Support “all-hands-on-deck” times for schools: beginning of school year, standardized testing, etc.
  • Maintain a culture centered on our ethos and core values of Determination, Respect, Enthusiasm, Accountability, and Mastery
  • Exhibit an unwavering commitment to high academic achievement and character development in our scholars
  • Receive continuous feedback from peers and school leaders on your practice and be expected to give the same
  • Manage time, tasks, deadlines and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment and hold others accountable for the same

Be willing to take on additional responsibilities as necessary to fulfill Achievement Prep’s mission for our scholars 

You Must Have

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 10+ years of progressive responsibility in education and educational leadership
  • 5+ years of management experience with a demonstrated track record of supporting the improvement of others’ performance

It Would Be Nice for Your to Have

  • Masters degree in education, educational leadership, organizational leadership, or other aligned discipline
  • Prior experience as a successful urban school principal

Who You Are

You know and understand the power of education and have seen, first hand, that power manifested either in your life or in the lives of others.  You are committed to serving historically underserved communities knowing that your work is part of a larger ecosystem committed to change.  You believe in a quality public education for all and are determined to serve every child that comes your way.  You are unapologetically mission driven and will do whatever it takes to advance the work and ensure scholar achievement.  You are excited about not just the work, but doing the work at Achievement Prep.  You are familiar with our community and are not afraid of or by all the beauty and challenges that come with living in impoverished communities.  You value and respect everyone and demonstrate that respect in words and actions.

You are a strong strategic thinker and problem-solver who thrives on transforming good leaders and schools into great leaders and schools.  You have an aligned vision for the appropriate role of a network/central office team in supporting the programmatic development and performance of schools in its network.   You are highly accountable and believe in results without excuses for all levels of the organization and for all stakeholders – including scholars and families.  You respect timelines and know that meeting the same are not optional or to be taken for granted.  You are open to feedback, eager to grow, and bring your best to everything you do.  You know the work isn’t easy and don’t expect for it to be.  The grind of our mission ignites you.  You are not only capable of performing but thrive in circumstances involving ambiguity and nuance.  You look for or create the joy in your day-to-day and want to work with others who do, too. 

What We Value

  • 100% Scholars: You prioritize what’s best for scholars first.
  • Results Without Excuses: You set, track and achieve ambitious goals; and you own the mistakes.
  • Sweat the Small Stuff: You pay attention to the smallest details to ensure smooth, predictable, and effective outcomes.
  • Community Matters – Mightily: You show care and respect for others – even when the work is taxing.
  • Unapologetically Mission-Driven: You have a “whatever it takes” mentality in achieving the mission.
  • Many Minds, One Mission: You value and partner with parents and the community for the good of scholars.

What You Get

  • Development:
  • Ongoing weekly or bi-weekly coaching and development from direct supervisor
  • Opportunities to participate in external professional development that increases effectiveness in the role
  • Compensation & Benefits:
  • Achievement Prep offers highly competitive compensation and benefits
  • Medical, vision, dental benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts for transit, dependent care, and medical expenses
  • 401k with automatic immediate employer matching up to 4%
  • It Pays to Stay
  • Upon completion of 2 full school years of service, employees become eligible for annual loyalty incentives
  • Gifts and Achievement Prep swag
  • Bonuses

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