Dean of Students (Culture)

THE ORGANIZATION

BELIEVE Academy (BA) is an early college and career-focused high school that uses real-world experiences, societal norms, and expectations to foster the academic achievement, autonomy, and agency needed to contribute to our evolving society. BA focuses on identity and leadership development and explicitly develops our scholars and staff emotionally, socially, and culturally. BA provides a rigorous curriculum filled with purpose-building experiences to create dynamics for our scholars to flourish in their future pursuits.

OUR VISION

BELIEVE leaders will be equitable, independent, and influential citizens in their local and global communities.

VISION FOR POSITION

The Dean of Students (DOS) plays a critical role in fostering a strong school culture that supports academic success, personal growth, and student well-being. The DOS leads efforts to establish and maintain a positive, structured, and supportive learning environment that reflects BELIEVE Academy’s mission and values. This role requires a dynamic and compassionate leader who is committed to student development, equitable discipline practices, and cultivating strong relationships with scholars, families, and staff.

The DOS collaborates closely with the school leadership team to design and implement proactive systems that enhance student engagement, social-emotional development, and behavior management. This individual must be an effective problem solver, strategic thinker, and advocate for students, ensuring that every scholar at BA feels supported, empowered, and prepared for success.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Student Culture & Behavior Support
• Develop, implement, and oversee a school-wide system for student behavior expectations that aligns with BA’s values and restorative discipline practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for student discipline matters, ensuring that responses are fair, equitable, and rooted in restorative justice.
• Support teachers in establishing effective classroom management strategies that promote a positive and productive learning environment.
• Lead school-wide efforts to foster a culture of respect, responsibility, and resilience among scholars.
• Student Support & Engagement
• Build strong relationships with students, families, and staff to create a welcoming and inclusive school culture.
• Develop and implement intervention programs for students requiring additional behavioral, academic, or social-emotional support.
• Collaborate with the student support team to ensure scholars have access to necessary mental health and wellness resources.
• Lead initiatives that promote student voice, leadership, and involvement in shaping the school community.
• Attendance & School Safety
• Monitor and improve student attendance by developing and implementing strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism.
• Collaborate with families and external partners to provide resources and support for students struggling with attendance and engagement.
• Ensure the school environment remains safe and conducive to learning by developing crisis management protocols and implementing school-wide safety procedures.
• Family & Community Engagement
• Communicate regularly with families about student progress, behavior, and school initiatives.
• Organize and lead family engagement events to strengthen school-community relationships.
• Partner with community organizations to enhance support systems for scholars and their families.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Unwavering belief in the potential of all students and commitment to their success.
• Proven experience in student culture leadership, behavior management, or related student support roles.
• Strong knowledge of restorative justice practices and trauma-informed approaches to student discipline.
• Exceptional ability to build relationships with students, families, and staff, fostering a strong sense of community.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to analyze student data to inform intervention strategies and support plans.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 years of experience in education, school leadership, student support, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Eligibility to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Education, Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience working with high school students in an urban or diverse educational setting.
• Experience implementing restorative justice practices and social-emotional learning initiatives.
• Experience managing student discipline and behavior support systems.

EEO: BELIEVE Schools is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

This job description reflects BELIEVE Schools' articulation of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing in this herein restricts management's right to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at anytime.