High School Principal

Title: Principal

Supervisor: Chief Academic Officer

Department: Administration

Classification: Certified

Founded in 2000, the Milwaukee Academy of Science is a K4-12th grade independent charter school serving nearly 1,400 in downtown Milwaukee. The mission of MAS is to graduate students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level. African American students comprise 99% of the student body and over 95% of students qualify for free or reduced meals. Regardless of student background and external factors, MAS maintains the expectation that students should be on grade level and proficient on state assessments.

I. Accountability Objectives:

The principal administers the school according to policies of the Board of Directors and under the supervision of the Chief Academic Officer. Objectives include: 1) human resource leadership, 2) instructional leadership, 3) professional personal behavior, 4) an intentional and collaborative school culture, and 5) school management

II. Position Characteristics:

Length of Contract: 230 days

III. Position Relationships:

Reports to: Chief Academic Officer

Coordinates with: President/CEO, Chief Financial Officer, Deans of Instruction and Students, Other Administrators, Counselors, Department Leaders, Faculty and Staff

IV. Position Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Certificates and Licenses:

Wisconsin Administrator Certification

Education/Experience:

Master's degree from an accredited college or university; minimum of three years successful teaching experience; leadership experience required, at least 3 years of successful Principalship experience preferred.

Language Ability:

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from all stakeholders in a variety of formats. Ability to communicate school goals, learning expectations, challenges, improvement plans and progress in a variety of formats.

Computer Skills:

At a minimum, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Drive, and Outlook.

V. Position Responsibilities:

A. Human Resource Leadership

• Recruit and select effective, qualified, and diverse staff
• Assign teachers and other staff to positions and instructional teams based on qualifications, student learning needs, and demonstrated effectiveness
• Regularly observe staff, provide feedback, evaluate performance, and document and address weak performance
• Lead the academy’s Supervision and Evaluation Program
• Provide, create, plan, and identify professional development opportunities informed by current student, classroom, and school data
• Assess completion of delegated tasks and progress on related goals

B. Instructional Leadership

• Coach and Develop leadership team
• Coach and Develop teaching staff
• Mobilize others to fulfill the mission and vision of the Milwaukee Academy of Science
• Generate creative solutions to aid MAS in fulfilling its mission and vision
• Understand the educational philosophy of the School and carry out the policies of the Board of Directors
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of curriculum development and program evaluation, child growth and development, effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning assessment and diagnosis, culturally relevant pedagogy, and research related to learning
• Lead and regularly monitor a coherent standards-based curricular and instructional program
• Provide a multi-tiered support system to collect data on student achievement, analyze student needs, and target resources for student success
• Establish, support, and participate in collaborative teams that focus on instruction as well as student and teacher learning
• Plan for current and long-range programs
• Collect, analyze, make recommendations, and adjust practices and strategies based on data such as attendance, testing, student retention, and behavior

C. Personal Behavior

• Consistently model positive professional and ethical behavior and take swift action when inappropriate conduct or practice is reported or observed
• Create time efficiencies to maximize focus on goals, priorities, and deadlines
• Solicit feedback and use feedback to improve personal, school, and student performance
• Apply initiative and persistence to achieve school expected goals
• Develop productive school-community partnerships, including those with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services
• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• Maintain confidentiality
• Support organization's goals and values

D. Intentional and Collaborative School Culture

• Establish, maintain, and evaluate a school climate based on trust and relationships among students, families, staff, and community from diverse backgrounds
• Communicate school goals, learning expectations, challenges, improvement plans, and progress to all stakeholders in a variety of formats and approaches
• Consistently respond to contact from parents and other stakeholders in a timely and meaningful way
• Model fairness, self-control, and consistency; depersonalize disagreement; and respect varying points of view when dealing with difficult situations; cultivate these characteristics in others
• Use varied strategies, including involving building leaders, in trying to reach consensus
• Manage change by developing workable implementation plans, communicating changes effectively and overcoming resistance, and monitoring transition and evaluating results

E. School Management

• Supervise facility and equipment management to create a safe and secure learning environment
• Implement a clear crisis management plan that is known by all staff, periodically tested, and updated
• Follow all policies, procedures, and laws and seek clarification when needed
• Consistently maintain appropriate documentation
• Communicate updated policies to staff
• Requisition and allocate supplies, equipment, and instructional material as needed
• Direct preparation of class schedules, cumulative records, and attendance reports
• Demonstrate business acumen by understanding and contributing to setting strategic goals and aligning work to accomplish those goals

F. Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer