Assistant Principal of Culture

Reporting to the Managing Director of High School, the High School Principal is the academic and culture leader of the school. The High School Principal is responsible for setting and driving strategic priorities, ensuring excellent instruction and equitable outcomes for all students, creating the conditions for all students to thrive, facilitating the growth and development of all staff members, and shaping the day-to-day management of the school and its culture. The High School Principal should be passionate about excellence and equity, champion DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child Model, care deeply about the communities we serve, and work relentlessly to create and sustain transformational outcomes for all students.

Responsibilities

Manage, develop, and sustain a school culture that reflects high expectations, achievement, and student support; Develop, implement, and monitor a school-wide discipline system aligned with responsive and restorative practices and positive reinforcement; Lead the Culture Team to provide multi-tiered support for students facing academic, behavioral, or emotional challenges; Oversee investigations of disciplinary issues and maintain accurate records, ensuring transparency, equity, and alignment with the school’s Code of Conduct and DREAM’s Staff Handbook; Manage the creation and implementation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior interventions; Plan and lead return-from-suspension meetings with families, students, and staff to promote accountability and reintegration; Supervise the implementation of school attendance and dress code policies; Monitor and improve key school systems such as student arrival, lunch, dismissal, and transitions to ensure safety and efficiency; Analyze behavioral and attendance data to guide interventions and school-wide planning; Supervise and coach the School Culture Team, including Deans of Culture, Assistant Deans of Culture, and Dean of SEL and Community, and Family and Community Engagement Manager, fostering professional growth and excellence; Collaborate with the School Leadership Team to ensure the effective implementation of DREAM model and strategic initiatives; Plan and lead professional development for staff, focusing on behavior management, classroom culture, and responsive practices; Conduct classroom observations, provide feedback, and support teachers in implementing effective management strategies; Work closely with the Assistant Principal of Instruction to ensure alignment on coaching plans, feedback, and support for teachers; Build a collaborative culture among staff, promoting continuous improvement and shared responsibility for the school’s culture; Serve as a key member of the School Leadership Team and strategic partner to the Principal; Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; Minimum of five years of school culture or teaching experience and two years of school leadership experience with a record of strong student academic and culture achievement; Able to create and sustain a highly functioning team; demonstrated effectiveness in coaching and developing new and experienced teachers; strong teaching and classroom culture building skills and the ability to coach others on these skills; Able to work on a team, collaborating with other leaders and external stakeholders; strong communication, de-escalation, and problem-solving skills; expertise in partnering with families to support all students; Experience creating, monitoring and maintaining sustainable school culture systems that enhance organizational efficiency; strong organizational skills; extremely careful attention to detail and follow-through; Adaptable, flexible, great at problem-solving and poised in crisis; able to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed; strong judgement and high levels of discretion; demonstrated ability to act as a servant leader

Nice to have

Master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction, or school leadership, preferred

Benefits

Flexible Medical Health Plans; subsidizing majority of costs for employee, spouse/domestic partner and children; Ability to select between various medical plans; Dental and vision plans; Disability benefits; Life insurance; Up to 12 weeks fully paid Parental Leave; Flexible spending account options; Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit); Fitness and entertainment discounts; Employee assistance program (EAP); 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure; Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses; Discounted school meals through in-house Scratch Food Program; Tuition reimbursement support; Access to professional development fund; School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days