2025-26 Founding Middle School Principal

About Us

Brilla Schools, a growing K-8 network in the Bronx, serves over 2,000 students with plans to expand to educate 3,000 across four elementary and four middle schools. Managed by Seton Education Partners, Brilla Schools are dedicated to forming students of strong wisdom and virtue. Our classically inspired approach to education combines a content-rich curriculum, inquiry-driven learning, and a focus on virtues, while providing individualized support to meet each child's unique needs. A national leader in character education and supporting students with varying needs, over the past two years, Brilla alumni have secured spots in the most prestigious high schools in the tri-state area, earning over $3 million in scholarships and financial aid. Our staff are mission-aligned change-makers who believe in fostering a joyful, rigorous learning environment, and Brilla offers some of the most competitive salaries in the market to honor their dedication. With high expectations and a supportive community, we're preparing students to excel in high school, college, and beyond.

Position Overview

A high-impact Brilla principal brings Brilla Public Charter Schools' mission to life by executing instructional management systems that drive student achievement in a learning culture that is rigorous and joyful. A Brilla principal is a dynamic leader who inspires through word and action that all students can be successful, mitigates organizational risk, and puts students first. As the academic and cultural leader of the school, each Brilla Principal is responsible for the academic achievement and character formation for their students, fostering and upholding a positive and engaging learning environment that promotes academic excellence, cultivates virtue, and nourishes a sense of belonging for scholars, families, and staff.

Each Brilla Principal co-leads their campus in partnership with a Director of Operations (DOO), sharing a vision for academic success and operational excellence. While the Director of Operations oversees the day-to-day operations of the campus, the Principal is responsible for executing Brilla's vision for teaching and learning, culture, and students' holistic development. Together, each principal and DOO pair ensures that Brilla's mission is uplifted throughout all aspects of the school.

Brilla principals are entrusted to hold a high bar for excellence while inspiring their community to reach and exceed ambitious targets. They are committed to establishing strong partnerships with families, recognizing their role as first educators of their child, and developing lasting relationships with scholars, families, and staff. Brilla principals model strong virtue and approach their work with positivity, flexibility, strategic thinking and a relentless commitment to serving their community.

Core Competencies & Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Inspire and model a deep understanding of instructional best practices
• Collaborates with Network Curriculum and Instruction team to implement curriculum and instruction at the campus that inspires critical thinking, scholar growth and an appreciation for Truth, Beauty and Goodness
• Conduct regular classroom observations and walkthroughs to establish and support a high bar for instructional excellence at the campus
• Engage in ongoing analysis of student data to inform strategy, professional development and adjustments to instruction in support of achieving high student outcomes
• Create and facilitate weekly professional development sessions for staff aligned to instructional goals of the campus; lead monthly Instructional Leadership Team meetings
• Manage the performance of teachers directly and through assistant principals and instructional coaches to achieve strong holistic outcomes for scholars
  
  

Talent Management

• Establish and manage a strong team that is collaborative, collegial, and effective
• Oversee staff, including interviewing, hiring, the development and implementation of coaching plans and facilitating twice-yearly performance evaluations, retention and dismissal
• Establish and maintain strong talent pipeline in the campus through a focus on coaching and retention of high potential
• Provide weekly observations of each leadership team members and facilitate weekly coaching meeting
  
  

Strategic Thinking

• Model an achievement orientation & drive by setting ambitious goals, taking initiative, and securing accountability to get results. Demonstrates resilience and resolve in the face of change.
• Craft and communicate strategic school systems, culture, and vision that is urgent, creative and grounded in best practice
• Make and communicate decisions in a timely manner and in the face of ambiguity with consideration of implications and strong messaging
• Seek and implement feedback from families, staff and scholars around school initiatives and improvement
  
  

School Culture

• Create intentional experiences that foster joy, a love of learning, and a sense of belonging to the school community, while employing a warm and firm approach that communicates love, respect, and high expectations.
• Nurtures a school community that is engaged, diverse, and inclusive and committed to the mission
• Manage school-wide Character Initiatives program and proliferate a deep commitment to the holistic development of all scholars
• Oversee the implementation of whole-school PBIS systems
  
  

Family Engagement

• Foster and manage a welcoming and engaging culture of hospitality for every family, grounded in the belief as the family as the child's first educator
• Communicates regularly with families, ensuring that they are welcomed, informed of the schools' happenings, and held accountable for their child's performance
• Lead family engagement initiatives, including monthly Coffee and Conversations and Family Involvement Committee meetings
• Promptly and effectively respond to family concerns
• Support student recruitment, enrollment and retention as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

• An unwavering, confident, and enthusiastic commitment to the educational mission of the Brilla Schools Network in service to the school community.
• A high level of initiative, flexibility and resiliency in the face of challenge, change or ambiguity
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a high level of ownership for the outcomes achieved
• Capacity for managing many diverse projects and proven examples of strong organization and self-management
• Excellent and inspiring oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with others
• Familiarity with and appreciation for the Classical liberal arts tradition
• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution (Master's Degree preferred)
• At least two years teaching in an urban school serving predominantly low-income children with demonstrated exemplary student achievement results
• At least two years of experience successfully leading, managing and coaching a team of adults with demonstrated results, preferably in a charter school setting
• Experience with the Core Knowledge® Scope and Sequence (preferred)
• Special Education credential and experience (preferred)
• Proficiency in Spanish (preferred).
  
  

Benefits

At Brilla Schools, we celebrate the unique skills, experiences, and passions that each staff member brings to our mission. To support their work, we offer a thoughtfully designed benefits package to provide competitive and adaptable coverage. We are committed to offering a benefits portfolio that supports the holistic health and wellness of our team members including:

• Comprehensive Professional Development: More than 225 hours annually, featuring two weeks of onboarding, coaching, and targeted training sessions to ensure staff excel in their roles and flourish.
• Community and Culture: An intentionally joyful workplace with over 30 bonding events each year, fostering connection and collaboration among staff and families in the Bronx.
• Flexible Health Coverage: A full suite of medical, dental, and vision plans designed to support diverse needs, utilizing Cigna and Anthem provider networks.
• Competitive Compensation: A salary range of $150,000 to $180,000, with pay varying within this range based on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Retirement Plans: A 403(b) plan and 401(k) retirement options with matching contributions, helping you secure your financial future while you grow with us.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, a DOE-aligned school calendar, and wellness resources to support personal renewal and sustained excellence.
  
  

At Brilla, your dedication fuels our mission, and we're here to invest in your growth, well-being, and success—from recruitment to retirement!

Please note: The above is based on the 2024-2025 plan year. You can find more information here.