Assistant School Leader (Assistant Principals & Assistant Heads of School - All Grade Levels) (SY25-26)

This job posting is for all individuals interested in Assistant Principal/Assistant Heads of School roles, or other school-based administrator roles, for the 2025-2026 school year. By submitting your application to this posting, you have the opportunity to participate in a pre-screening interview in order to become a part of the district’s priority candidate pool. Should you earn a spot in the priority pool, you will be invited to interview with individual schools when assistant school leader positions are posted on March 1, 2025.

Why lead in BPS?

We are committed to our students and have a track record of success.  

As the birthplace of public education in this nation, the Boston Public Schools is committed to partnering with families and communities to transform the lives of all children through exemplary teaching and leadership. We cultivate staff who create safe, welcoming and affirming  environments, celebrate diversity and confront racism and inequities. Together, we work to develop the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career and life for all learners. There are many positive indicators for the growth of opportunity for our students in Boston; student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the national report card, makes BPS the first urban district to meet their marks in both English and Math for both tested grades. In addition, our graduation rates have increased steadily, reaching their highest ever point in 2018 at 75% district-wide.

We serve a richly diverse community of students and families. 

Boston Public Schools is quickly becoming one of the most diverse school districts in the country. As a leader in BPS, you will be immersed in our rich community cultures and have the opportunity to close the opportunity gaps that persist in our city and nation. Our 46,001 students reflect Boston’s vibrant blend of cultures, representing 140 countries and speaking 80 languages. 81% of our students identify as Black, Hispanic or Asian, and 49% have a first language other than English. Our learners hold a wide variety of learning styles and have varying levels of unique needs: 23% of students have IEPs and 70% of our students qualify as economically disadvantaged. Our district takes pride in providing equitable access to opportunity for all students and families through the use of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP), and tools such as Culturally Relevant Instruction Observation Protocols (CRIOP). By leading in our district, you are a key lever in embracing our urgent and mission-driven commitment to serving and empowering all of our kids and coaching others to do their best work to close academic gaps. 

We support our leaders to learn, grow, and succeed.

Our leaders receive individualized leadership and operational support, job-embedded professional learning, and relevant support from specific departments. Additionally, all leaders take part in Professional Learning Communities of their choice and attend All Leader Professional Development, both of which are focused on different aspects of building and honing anti-racist practices grounded in Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices. New leaders are supported through a two year induction program that includes professional learning sessions, cohort support sessions and mentoring from seasoned and successful leaders in the district.  

We have a highly-supported, world-class teacher and staff community.  

As a leader in Boston Public Schools, you will be surrounded by a team that consistently assists you in supporting students and families. Our schools have multiple school-based staff supporting students throughout their school day. These teams are an integral part of the community and are supported through Central Office training and support. We are proud to cultivate a talented and dedicated teacher force. We support and develop our teachers through multiple pathways, starting with new teacher development and continuing throughout teachers’ careers.   

Who are we looking for?

Boston Public Schools Leaders are passionate about equity, furthering student achievement, providing safe spaces for students to learn and grow. They are laser-focused on closing opportunity gaps. They reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and have a strong commitment to their greater school communities and the City of Boston. They are culturally, instructionally and operationally proficient and are able to utilize and develop these competencies to best serve all students and staff in their buildings.  

What skills & attributes are we looking for?

The role of the Assistant Principal/Assistant Heads of School and other school-based administrators is designed by each School Leader to meet the needs of a specific school and responsibilities will vary accordingly. Assistant Principals/Assistant Heads of Schools and other administrative team members will support and communicate the vision of the school leader.  They must demonstrate strength in instructional leadership, management & operations, family & community engagement, and professional culture. Job duties may include, but are not limited to, any of the following: 

Instructional Leadership 

• Embrace, communicate, and enlist others in the belief that all students can and will learn
• Communicate belief in culturally responsive teaching practices and support teachers in employing them.  
• Conduct regular observations of instruction and planning.  Give feedback that drives improvement in teaching and learning to close achievement and opportunity gaps.  
• Facilitate the use of various formal and informal assessments.  Use and support data-based decision making in planning and delivering instruction and interventions
• Utilize data to set and meet goals for school improvement 
• Use frequent observation, data, and evaluation guidelines to assign well-supported ratings for performance
• Collaborate to or independently lead an impactful school leadership team   

Management & Operations

• Establish and maintain systems and routines that ensure a safe, clean and welcoming learning environment  
• Establish and maintain systems and routines to support all students to reach high behavioral expectations  
• Lead recruitment and hiring processes that result in the hiring of effective educators that reflect the diversity of our student population
• Follow rules and regulations related to laws, collective bargaining agreements, and expenditures    

Family and Community Engagement 

• Use and maintain partnerships that support culturally responsive practices that ensure all families are welcome and can contribute to the school community. Support educators in doing the same.
• Engage in and support educators to regularly collaborate with families to identify strengths and needs of students and make appropriate plans to support all students    
• Reach out to families with concerns and work to reach solutions that are in the best interest of students 

Professional Culture

• Support high expectations of achievement for all students through a personal commitment to, articulation of, and enlistment in culturally responsive school vision, core values, and mission  
• Engage in and lead all educators in reflecting on the effectiveness of their practice to achieve improved results  
• Engage staff, students, and families in developing a vision for student preparedness for college and career
• Resolve conflicts in a constructive manner and build consensus around critical decisions

Qualifications - Required:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Current authorization to work in the United States.

Qualifications - Preferred:

• MA DESE Principal/Assistant Principal license or Supervisor/Director license and a content area license.
• Master’s degree

• Teaching and leadership experience in an urban public school setting.
• Bilingual.
• Boston resident.

Compensation & Conditions of Employment

Compensation for Assistant Principals/Heads of School is determined by the salary scales agreed to by the BASAS union, which represents Assistant Principals/Heads of School in the Boston Public Schools. The salary grade will be dependent upon the specific school position and will be reflected in the school-specific job posting which will go live in winter/spring 2024. These postings will also indicate the amount of days each year the Assistant Principal is expected to work, which is also based on the BASAS contract.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.