SY 26-27 Principal Full Time NEW

About Ascend

Ascend is Brooklyn’s premier K–12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures—not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students’ brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

About the Role

We seek school leaders dedicated to instructional excellence, teacher development, and school-wide impact. As an Ascend Principal, you will create pathways to success, lead high-performing schools, and develop future leaders. The ideal Principal:

• Drives school-wide impact by leading the school community toward academic excellence, closing achievement gaps, and fostering educational equity for every student.
• Develops and executes a bold vision for student success, inspiring and motivating staff, students, and families to engage in the pursuit of excellence and personal growth.
• Builds and nurtures high-performing teams, mentoring emerging leaders and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high achievement where all members thrive.

Responsibilities

Visionary Leadership & Strategy Execution

• Develop and implement a bold, forward-thinking strategy that ensures sustained academic excellence and continuous school improvement.
• Establish an ambitious, student-centered vision and goals aligned with Ascend’s network priorities, driving student mastery of rigorous academic content that prepares them for boundless choice and lifelong success.
• Strategically allocate time, talent, and resources to achieve or exceed annual targets and advance key organizational initiatives.
• Strengthen leadership and teacher expertise in standards-aligned instructional design, ensuring every classroom delivers high-quality, culturally responsive teaching and learning.
• Develop and train teachers and school leaders to analyze student data, identify learning gaps, and implement targeted, high-impact instructional strategies. Collaborate in content and grade-level teams to refine and enhance instructional practices using data-driven insights.

Instructional Leadership

• Implement a comprehensive, student-centered strategy that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of students, staff, and families, ensuring a holistic approach to student success.
• Take complete ownership of student outcomes, demonstrating the ability to drive academic growth through high expectations, rigorous instruction, and targeted support.
• Enhance instructional expertise by leading professional development, coaching educators, and fostering collaboration to strengthen teaching practices and student learning.
• Use data to assess student progress, identify learning gaps, and implement interventions that ensure all students reach and exceed rigorous academic benchmarks.
• Oversee the design and execution of a rigorous, engaging curriculum that integrates academic excellence, character development, and student agency, preparing students for boundless choice.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of instructional and operational systems, ensuring alignment with Ascend’s mission and adaptability to support student success.

Team Development and Leadership

• Coach and develop the leadership team to take full ownership of school-wide results, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
• Set the standard for a joyful, rigorous, and inclusive school culture, where high expectations empower both educators and students to thrive.
• Provide targeted, actionable support:
• Observe, coach, and develop Assistant Principals to ensure they provide teachers with impactful, actionable feedback that strengthens instructional effectiveness.
• Lead high-quality professional development that directly addresses student learning gaps and drives meaningful academic gains.
• Ensure alignment with key network priorities by equipping school teams to make data-informed decisions that advance academics, school culture, and student success.

School Culture Leadership

• Cultivate a school-wide culture that empowers students and families with the knowledge and resources to navigate their academic journeys and future opportunities actively.
• Create and sustain racial equity by fostering an inclusive and affirming school environment where all students, staff, and families feel valued, seen, and supported.
• Lead skill-building initiatives that strengthen racial equity awareness and development for self and others, ensuring that diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIA) are embedded in all aspects of school culture and decision-making.
• Continuously strengthen personal and staff knowledge of academic standards and their DEIA considerations by partnering with the curriculum team to ensure culturally responsive, effective instructional design.
• Lead initiatives that create a welcoming, inclusive space for all students and educators, reinforcing a commitment to equity in both policy and practice.

Community Building and Engagement

• Foster a culture of boundless opportunity by engaging families and the broader community as active partners in student success.
• Serve as the public face of the school, representing Ascend at community events, board meetings, and student recruitment activities.
• Develop deep relationships with key stakeholders, leveraging local resources and partnerships to support students and families.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness in outreach and networking to ensure strong community engagement that enhances school initiatives and improves student outcomes.

Operations Leadership

• Design and implement scalable systems to meet and exceed student enrollment and attendance goals, ensuring operational decisions align with Ascend’s mission and drive academic success.
• Establish robust mechanisms for monitoring key performance metrics, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data, and translating these insights into strategic actions that enhance accountability and promote continuous improvement.
• Develop proactive, solution-oriented frameworks to address school-wide challenges, identifying patterns, mitigating risks, and ensuring sustainable long-term solutions.
• Partner with key stakeholders to build and refine policies, protocols, and response plans that ensure a secure, thriving learning environment for all students and staff.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; Master’s degree in education or leadership preferred
• 5+ years of teaching experience and 3+ years in school leadership roles with proven student achievement outcomes
• Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development, staff management, and student performance improvement, with a focus on fostering a positive school culture and achieving measurable academic outcomes.
• Ability to strategically manage resources (people, finances, equipment) to support both short- and long-term organizational goals, using data to inform sound decisions.
• Track record of improving academic outcomes, including measurable gains in student achievement.
• Commitment to educational equity, ensuring the success of every student and member of the school community.
• Strategic thinker with a data-driven approach, capable of crafting and executing bold plans that drive student achievement and school-wide progress.
• Culturally responsive leadership style, dedicated to fostering inclusive, anti-racist environments where all students feel valued and supported.
• Adaptable, resilient, and growth-oriented, with the ability to lead, learn, and inspire others toward continuous improvement and excellence.

Staff and Reporting Relationships

SY 26-27 Principals report directly to the Managing Director of Schools.

Compensation

The salary for this position begins at $140,000. Several factors, such as work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, and market and business considerations, may influence the base pay offered. This salary reflects a position based in New York City.

This is a full-time, exempt position that offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits