Middle School Principal (SY 25-26)

Who We Are

District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a public charter school serving over 1600 racially and economically diverse students in grades 6-12 from across the District of Columbia. We aim to provide our students with a world-class education that empowers them to follow their passions and change the world. DCI’s education centers on an International Baccalaureate curriculum, advanced language learning in Chinese, Spanish, and French, and a culture focused on student agency supported by 1:1 technology.

DC International School Middle School Principal

DC International School (DCI) is a public charter school serving students in grades 6-12 in Washington, DC. The school’s mission is to foster inquiring, engaged, knowledgeable, and caring secondary students who are multilingual, culturally competent, and committed to proactively creating a socially just and sustainable world. The school seeks to do this by providing a rigorous IB (International Baccalaureate) and language immersion program to a community of students who represent the diversity of Washington, DC. We believe providing this kind of opportunity to a broad group of students will prove the value of a rigorous, inquiry-based, internationally-minded language and cultural education by closing equity gaps based on race, socioeconomic status, and other factors and will cultivate world citizens who can effectively promote social justice and cross-cultural understanding. 

DCI’s current enrollment is 1,650 students in grades 6-12 at the school’s spacious, state-of-the-art campus located in the redevelopment at the Parks at Walter Reed. The school features the IB Middle Years Programme for students in grades 6-10 the IB Diploma Programme and Career Programme for 11th and 12th grade.  The high school serves half of the school population and students in 9-12th grade. DC International School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural and multilingual environment. For more information about the school, please visit www.dcinternationalschool.org. 

Middle School Principal Opportunity

Position Overview: The DCI Middle School Principal sets the conditions for all members of the Middle School community to thrive in service of the broader DCI Mission. The Principal oversees all functions of the school, directly manages and coaches a team of educational leaders, and is responsible for the academic and social-emotional outcomes for students and the team health of our MS educators.

DCI is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Middle School Principal who has a passion for urban education; the International Baccalaureate MYP, DP, and CP Programmes; language immersion education; social justice; and most importantly, working with middle school students and staff. DCI’s principals are expected to: 

• Model the DCI Agreements, which are based on the IB Learner Profile: Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions; works in a collegial and collaborative manner with other administrators, school personnel, and the community to promote and support the mission and goals of the school; takes ownership for any gaps in the school and is reflective on feedback from all members of the team.


• Oversees the broader functioning of the organization: Serves on the Senior Leadership Team to support in making decisions on behalf of the organization. Effectively participates on the team, shares interests and perspectives from the Middle School vantage point, and then helps make decisions in the best interests of the full organization. 


• Develop and promote the teaching and learning / instructional vision: Exhibits instructional leadership through alignment, coordination, and delivery of IB programs and/or curricular or co-curricular and extracurricular areas required to achieve excellence and continuous improvement in academic results for students; plans, implements, supports, and assesses instructional programs.  Creates academic and school culture goals and tracks academic data and progress with an equity lens. Works closely and collaboratively with the Chief Academic Officer on all instructional decisions to drive outcomes at the Middle School level.


• Create an effective learning climate / staff and student culture: Ensures a strong and joyful learning environment for students and staff that follows the IB Learner Profile.  Has experience with implementing and supporting restorative practices.  Builds, engages, and supports student and staff celebrations and activities that support a strong internationally oriented school culture.  Lives DCI’s vision of IB for All - that our staff provide ALL students with equitable access to a world-class education to choose their future.


• Develop and manage daily systems and operations: Directs and manages the assigned human, material, and financial resources necessary for school operation and success in compliance with policies and legal requirements; selects, inducts, supports, evaluates, and retains quality instructional and support personnel.


• Conduct hiring and staffing: Directs and manages the assigned human, material, and financial resources necessary for school operation in compliance with school division policies and legal requirements; selects, inducts, supports, evaluates, and retains quality instructional and support personnel;


• Engage and collaborate with stakeholders: Oversees collaborative development and implementation of school goals and plans; provides staff development programs consistent with program evaluation results and school instructional plans; identifies, analyzes, and resolves problems using effective problem-solving techniques; promotes effective communication and interpersonal relations with students, staff, parents, and other community members; works collaboratively with staff, families, and community members to secure resources and to support and celebrate the success of a diverse student population.


• Community involvement and cultivation of broad stakeholder relationships: Partners with families in service of supporting their students to grow at DCI. Attends events, and community activities to foster broader community relationships in service of helping DCI become a strong multicultural community.

Supervision Received / Given

The DCI Middle School Principal receives general direction from the Executive Director and Chief Academic Officer. The MS Principal selects, inducts, supports, evaluates, and retains quality teachers, leaders, and support staff. Provides guidance and assistance to students, parents, and other community members, as required.

Salary: $140,000 - $170,000 (Starting salary is determined by education and years of relevant experience)

Qualifications

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Principal candidate will have:

• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience, including two years of teaching experience and three years of leadership experience at a secondary school.




• Including demonstrated success serving a socio-economically diverse population of learners and a diverse staff.




• A Master’s or Doctoral degree in Education or Educational Leadership is preferred.


• Ability to coach and develop colleagues while holding them accountable to measurable results.


• Experience at a school that provides the International Baccalaureate curriculum framework or other similarly holistic approaches to student learning and development. 


• Knowledgeable and with experience in a language immersion environment (candidates who are bilingual in one of DCI’s three languages: Spanish, French or Chinese are strongly preferred). 


• Understanding of the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, gender identity, and other issues of difference in our society and has personally worked in communities to ensure all students have an opportunity to achieve their dreams of college and career success.


• Demonstrated success in closing learning gaps related to the academic and social-emotional needs of diverse groups of adolescents especially as related to supporting students with special needs, those who have experienced emotional trauma, students living in poverty, and English language learners. 


• Familiarity with the DC public charter school landscape. 


• Strong written and oral communicator who is able to engage students, parents, and faculty in dialogue and speak in a clear and authentic manner about the school’s goals and priorities.

Faculty and Staff Development/Benefits: DCI is committed to the principles of servant leadership and to providing faculty and staff with the resources and training they need to provide an excellent education experience for every student and family. 

• We have a benefits package that includes health and disability insurance and paid leave.  


• We offer teachers daily planning time, professional development, and reasonable class sizes.


• Teachers and staff have the appropriate technology and support to do their work.

DC International School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural and multilingual environment.