Principal (Headmaster), Classical Academy Charter School

Principal (Headmaster), Classical Academy Charter School

The Principal is the chief educational leader of the Classical Academy, reporting to the Superintendent. This role requires an energetic, wise, and well-grounded professional with strong executive skills, a deep appreciation for classical education, and a proven ability to champion moral, intellectual, and civic virtue.

The Principal is responsible for establishing a school culture that fosters academic excellence, a love of truth, beauty, and goodness, and the on-going inspiration of wonder among students and staff.

Core Responsibilities & Expectations

Domain #1: Leadership (Mission, Culture, Strategy)

• Be Steward of the Mission: Ceaselessly promote and drive the school's mission, vision, virtues, and philosophy among staff, students, and families, ensuring fidelity to classical education principles.
• Strategic Direction: In counsel with the Superintendent, provide farsighted leadership, establish strategic direction, and ensure the effective implementation of the education plan.
• High-Impact Accountability: Set an example in the two basic objectives of full enrollment and strong academics, holding staff accountable for high student achievement and progress by applying our evaluation systems, providing consistent written and in-person feedback, and offering mentorship.
• Operational Oversight: In our model, the Superintendent provides extensive operational support on site so that the Principal is free to focus on academics. Even so, the Principal oversees all academic operations, student enrollment, instructional effectiveness, special education compliance, and parent satisfaction.
• Professional Expertise: Lead staff in the practice of classical education, assessment, and student services. Stay current in all student data and apply it constantly in decision making and planning. Develop a bench of capable future leaders.

Domain #2: Learning (Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment)

• Instructional Leadership: Serve as the school's primary curriculum and instructional leader. Ensure that the program of student-specific plans is constantly practiced.
• Curriculum Fidelity: Ensure all instructional staff consistently and effectively use the adopted curriculum resources and assessments. Hold Academic Coaches accountable for effective use of these resources and methods by teachers.
• Staff Development: Provide clarity, coaching, and correction to all staff. Provide mentorship and professional development aligned with classical education methods.
• Performance Evaluation: Conduct regular, high-quality formal written evaluations for all instructional staff by required deadlines.
• Special Services Oversight: Oversee and monitor procedures for students with disabilities; attend and participate in required student service team meetings (IAT/IEP) as needed.
• Internal Communication: Lead well-planned, meaningful staff learning as planned with Superintendent.

Domain #3: Culture (Community & Character Development)

• Virtuous School Climate: Foster a culture of academic excellence, character development, and critical thinking skills among all students, aligning with classical education's principles.
• Behavior and Conduct: Implement the school's Code of Conduct, disciplinary actions, and due process procedures consistently. Ensure appropriate uniform/dress code adherence.
• Family & Community Engagement: Communicate consistently and effectively with families and neighborhood institutions. Host a minimum of four community outreach events on campus annually.

Domain #4: Management (Operations & Compliance)

• Regulatory Compliance: With the Superintendent ensure the school is compliant with all local, state, and charter requirements (e.g., board policies, sponsor reports, health/fire safety). Maintain organized, accessible documentation on-site.
• Staffing & HR: Oversee all on-site HR procedures (hiring, timesheets, reimbursements). Maintain a current understanding of licensure requirements and ensure all staff maintain proper licensure, certification, and background checks. Maintain adequate substitute lists.
• School Safety: With the Superintendent, develop and review school safety procedures (lockdown, emergency drills) with staff annually. Notify local officials and enforce all student drop-off/dismissal safety and traffic patterns.
• Facilities: Monitor and report facility/maintenance needs and oversee minor repairs. Ensure building security and maintenance during breaks.
• Administrative Tasks: Attend all required district meetings. Monitor and report staff attendance. Maintain accurate inventory (curriculum, supplies, technology). Enforce office procedures for student/employee records and confidentiality.
• Critical Reporting: Report all serious incidents, legal infractions, suspected child abuse/neglect, and media inquiries directly and immediately to the Superintendent.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's Degree.
• Experience: History of successful teaching experience and leadership/management.
• Knowledge: Deep appreciation for classical learning. Knowledgeable in curriculum, instruction, teaching strategies, and state standards/testing.
• Preferred: State Principal license.
• Skills: Outstanding written and verbal communication. Active listening and critical thinking leading to sound judgment. Tech-savvy with Google and Microsoft suites.

Knowledge, Skills & Personal Characteristics

• Character: Reliable, dependable, trustworthy, and strong personal integrity.
• Leadership: Strong ability to lead, motivate, develop, and direct staff and students effectively.
• Execution: Ability to work under pressure and effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently.
• Context: Familiarity with the district community and demographics.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Contract: 260-day contract with set paid holidays and allocated PTO, subject to Superintendent approval. On-Call availability.
• Physical: Ability to move around the building, stand for extended periods, and occasionally lift/move up to 25 pounds.
• Travel: Ability to travel when requested.

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.