What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal and Assistant Principal position at The School District of Philadelphia?
https://jobs.philasd.org/#leadershiproles
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
Principal Application Spring 2024-2025
NOW OPEN!
The School District of Philadelphia is excited to announce the opening of our Principal Application. We are
seeking visionary leaders ready to make a significant impact in our schools and communities and Accelerate
Philly. We invite you to apply to inspire the next generation of learners in the fastest-improving urban district in
the nation! You must possess a Principal certification (out-of-state certifications must be eligible for reciprocity)
and submit an application with your resume, references, and upload your essay responses. Your application
will be evaluated based on your application, essays, and active certification. Once accepted into the pool, you
will be eligible to apply for school-based positions as they become available.
Schools with Current Vacancies:
- Cook-Wissahickon School
- George W. Childs
- Girard Academic Music Program
- John F. McCloskey School
- Parkway Northwest High School
Principal Application Process and Timeline
Applications will be accepted from March 3 through March 21, 2025
Completed applications will be reviewed and essays will be scored.
To have your application considered complete, you must submit the application in Taleo HERE with all relevant
information AND upload your essay response to the Google form linked HERE AND upload your active
Pennsylvania administrative certification AND provide your PPID #.
ALL APPLICANTS must submit an application in our application management system (Taleo.)
*If you were a candidate that applied to the Principal eligibility in Fall of 2024/2025 and made it to the interview
process you DO NOT need to submit a new essay response.
*If you DID NOT make it to the interview process in Fall 2024/2025 you MUST complete a new essay
response.
Essay Questions are as follows and you MUST respond to each question:
Essay Question #1
How have you successfully balanced the pursuit of academic excellence with the social-emotional development
of students in your current role? Please provide specific examples of initiatives or strategies you have
implemented that have led to measurable improvements in both academic performance and the social-
emotional well-being of students. Include any data or evidence that supports the effectiveness of your
approach. Please ensure you provide clear context if you provide data and please ensure all information is
legible. (500 word maximum)
Essay Question #2
How do you effectively manage school budgets and talent? Share specific strategies for resource allocation
and staff recruitment, development, and retention that have positively impacted your school. (500 word
maximum)
Completed applications include:
- SDP Application in Taleo HERE
- Upload Essay Submission HERE
- Pennsylvania Department of Education Principal Certification I
- Candidates will be notified by March 27, 2025 if they will be invited to interview.
*This is a CASA-represented role.
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to transforming the education opportunities it offers the city's
200,000 school-aged children. The district seeks school leaders who have a passion for working with children
and leading innovation to ensure all students achieve. With a diverse complement of over 200 schools, the
district offers a wide range of school leadership opportunities. Successful District principals are highly
motivated, persistent and creative educators who are able to align a school's resources, systems and people
around a rigorous instructional program. A principalship in the district provides the chance to be an integral
part of an urban education renewal effort from its inception.
Job Summary
Principals for the School District of Philadelphia serve as the instructional and operational leader of a District
school. Principals provide a clear vision for learning for all students; ensure a safe, secure and orderly learning
environment; and cultivate strong relationships with and act in service to diverse stakeholders, including
families and communities. Principals are expected to promote high-quality instructional practices, passionately
enjoy working with children, and believe that all students can achieve. Principals are responsible for selecting
and assigning staff, supporting differentiated professional growth and building the leadership capacity of staff.
Principals in the District must collect, analyze and use multiple sources of data to guide continuous
improvement in student achievement, manage school operations, and effectively evaluate and develop staff.
Areas of Opportunity
Large high schools (greater than 1000 students)
Acceleration schools (intense focus on immediately accelerating student growth/achievement trends)
New school models
High-performing, special admission schools
Small neighborhood elementary schools
Schools serving bilingual families and students
All newly appointed principals are required to attend the New Principals' Academy Summer Institute. More
definitive dates and information upon hiring.
Essential Functions
Develop, articulate, steward, and operationalize a clear vision for learning for all students and implement a
strategic plan to accomplish that vision
Ensure that all school stakeholders are able to articulate a clear and shared vision for learning
Ensure a safe, secure and orderly environment for all
Promote high-quality instructional practices that consistently allow for excellent instruction school-wide
Be visible and consistent presence throughout the school
Provide teachers with timely and constructive feedback on classroom instruction to develop teacher practice
Clearly communicate learning and development goals that reflect high expectations for learning and growth, a
belief that all students can learn, and a commitment to meet each student's educational needs
Develop a culture of collegial and professional relationships among staff and students that promote critical
reflection, shared accountability, and continuous improvement
Manage conflict constructively at all levels
Develop systems and a school culture that promotes peer feedback, support, and collaboration
Carefully select and effectively assign staff
Support the professional growth of staff members in a differentiated manner based on identified needs and
individual goals
Deliberately build leadership capacity among staff
Collect, analyze, and use multiple sources of data to guide continuous improvement in student achievement,
student and staff well-being, and professional development for staff
Develop positive and collaborative relationships with families
Self-motivated to initiate and sustain relationships with community business, cultural and not for profit partners
Manage the school budget, requisitions, and all school funds
Oversee the upkeep of school facilities and physical plant
Essential Competencies
Ability to motivate staff, students and families around the vision of the school
Clear and effective communication skills for diverse audiences including students, staff and families
Well-organized, ability to balance competing priorities and multi-task
Passion for developing staff's instructional and leadership capacities
Leadership style that encourages teamwork and collaboration to support excellent instruction
Willingness to foster creativity and innovation
Persistence in the face of obstacles, productive problem-solving to counter setbacks, initiative to seize
opportunities to make change
Belief in student empowerment and willingness to allow students to play an active role in supporting the
school's vision and climate
Commitment to the service of students and families
Ability to reflect on how to improve, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, willingness to take
responsibility for actions and mistakes
Empathy for the perspectives of students, staff and stakeholders
Clear understanding of policies and law affecting special populations, LEP students and students receiving
special education services
Ability to model an exemplary work ethic
Minimum Requirements
Master's Degree from an accredited educational institution
Five years of full-time, paid, professional educational experience, two of which have been as a Principal or
Assistant Principal, educational administrator or other leadership position at the elementary, middle or
secondary school level.
Valid PDE Administrative certification
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people
assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties,
and skills required of personnel so classified.
Certificates/Licenses
Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate for an Elementary or Secondary School
Principal
REMINDER TO:
Complete Application in Taleo
Upload Essays
Upload Administrative Certification
Provide PPID #
Salary : $148,831 - $167,608