Academy Director

About Us 

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling. Through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate teaching. 

Position Title: Academy Director 

Reports to: Regional Vice President

Location: Ector Acceleration Academy 

Compensation: $95,000 per year with bonus incentives 

Benefits: 401(k) with up to 4% company match; Flexible Paid Time Off; Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Life, Disability, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, & Accident insurance coverages available; Employer-paid financial wellness program; Employee referral incentives; Certification reimbursement program; Bonus opportunities

The Role

The Academy Director serves as the leader of their designated academy and maintains primary local responsibility for carrying out the organization’s mission, including (1) establishing expectations, providing support and managing accountability for all site-based instructional and non-instructional staff, (2) ensuring equity in programming for the academies’ diverse learners, (3) establishing connections within the broader community to expand services for Graduation Candidates (GCs),(4) managing all program operations to ensure fiscal sustainability and legal compliance, and (5) leveraging available resources to increase enrollment and improve Graduation Candidates' outcomes, ensuring overall program success.

Job Requirements 

• Education: Master’s Degree preferred (Bachelor’s required) in Education or a closely related field.
• Years of Experience: 7 years of relevant experience
• Years of Managerial / Supervisory Experience: 3 years of direct supervisory experience
• Background Check: Demonstration of a clear state and federal criminal history 

Highly Preferred Qualification

Certification: Educational Leadership endorsement in the state of Texas

Experience leading teams that serve students with significant social-emotional needs 

Job Responsibilities

Enrollment

• Lead new student enrollment through recruitment and engagement efforts 
• Lead the implementation of Student Orientation 
• Lead Friday Fidelity Forum Meetings focused on data review and collaboration
• Support the Career Life Coach in the development of students’ individual learning pathways and individual support plans to gauge individual student progress

Retention

• Train and lead staff in the use of the Retention Cycle Protocol 
• Create and maintain a positive school culture and lead the instructional and/or operational vision of the Acceleration Academy program
• Advocate and support site-level incentive programs
• Use technology and Learning Management Systems to track student progress, assign interventions, and support course completion as determined in individual student learning pathways

Academics 

• Complete all required data formulation for all AA reports, including local, state, and federal compliance of all ESE and ELL programs
• Lead the staff in the collection and analysis of data for instructional decision-making
• Lead the staff in the documentation and tracking of  student progress, the assignment of academic interventions to support on-time course completions as determined by the Personalized Learning Plans for students
• Maintain all required documentation for graduation including course completion, GPA, and standardized testing requirements
• Ensure compliance for all ESE and ESOL individualized learning plans
• Implement weekly workshops that focus on non-academic topics

Advocacy 

• Lead and manage staff, keeping them strongly connected to the mission of Acceleration Academies
• Act as the primary point of contact between the Academy and the District as well as the Academy and community organizations
• Oversee positive relationship building and collaboration among staff, students, and their families
• Facilitate communications with community organizations to support the removal of non-academic barriers for students (health, social services, mental health, law enforcement)
• Create schedules for employees to ensure adequate and effective staffing at all sites
• Provide ongoing feedback and support in the growth and development of all staff members connected to goals and milestones
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Additional Qualifications 

• Proficient understanding of ESE (Exceptional Student Education), ELL (English Language Learner), and behavior intervention practices
• Experience working in a non-traditional school setting and/or with youth who may be considered at-risk

• Demonstrates a commitment and passion for supporting high school-aged youth, who have disengaged from a traditional school setting, by creating opportunities for academic and personal breakthroughs 
• Experience reviewing transcripts and general understanding of graduation requirements
• Experience  providing supports,  interventions, and counseling services with high school-aged youth

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of and comfort with the use of technology in an educational setting. 
• Experience with any of the following: project-based learning, instructional coaching, portfolio assessment, a competency-based education model, cooperative learning, integration of technology and cross-disciplinary learning, alternative assessments and integrating school-to-career experiences into the curriculum

Core Competencies 

The following core competencies define what the organization requires of its employees to succeed and how we expect overall goals to be accomplished each and every day.

• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Caring & Inclusiveness
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Honesty, Integrity & Reliability
• Results-Orientation

Role-Specific Competencies 

These competencies are specific to an Academy Leadership position. 

• Performance Evaluation & Coaching
• Information Management & Data Analysis
• Strategic Analysis & Problem Solving
• Leadership & People Management
• Commitment & Motivation

Why Join Us? 

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact students’ lives, championing their growth, resilience, and path to graduation. 

We Value Our Team’s Well-being 

We prioritize the holistic well-being of our team members and their families through comprehensive total rewards: 

• Competitive Compensation: Recognizing your hard work with market-aligned salaries. 
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match to help secure your future. 
• Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones. 
• Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work-life balance through adaptable PTO. 
• Wellness Support: Employer-paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources. 
• Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us build a talented team. 
• Professional Development: Certification reimbursement programs to invest in your growth. 

Physical & Work Environment 

• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands; frequently stand, walk, reach; occasionally lift up to 20 lbs. 
• Work environment aligns with a collaborative classroom setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather. 

Ready to Make a Difference? 

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere. 

Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration Academies 

Agencies presenting candidates to Acceleration Academies must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement with the Acceleration Academies Talent Acquisition Department. Agencies may only submit candidates for positions they have been formally engaged in working on by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Any resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will evaluate all qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. 

Salary : $95,000