Founding Director Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Arcadia High School is a newly authorized open-enrollment public charter school in Southwest Houston designed to serve the diverse communities of Alief and surrounding neighborhoods. Our founding team brings hundreds of years of combined experience starting and leading high-performing schools across the country. Arcadia is built to solve familiar challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, limited access to advanced coursework, and uneven support through a research-based school design that centers on team-teaching, strong relationships, and real-world preparation. As we prepare for opening day, the Principal will play a critical role in translating this design into a vibrant, high-quality school for students and families.

Arcadia High School students are empowered to achieve their highest potential and graduate prepared for college, careers, and leadership in their communities. Through a research-based team-teaching model, high-quality instruction and student-centered learning, we provide consistent, targeted support to meet the unique needs of every student.

Our collaborative classrooms inspire academic excellence, critical thinking, and passion for lifelong learning, equipping students with the skills, confidence, and resilience to succeed. Teachers receive continuous professional development, fostering exceptional instruction and a thriving educational community. Strong partnerships with families and the community ensure students benefit from a supportive environment that drives achievement and growth.

Arcadia’s school culture and daily work are grounded in four core principles:

• Aspiring for Big Dreams – We believe every student can set and achieve ambitious goals for their future. We hold high expectations for academics, behavior, and leadership, and we support students in turning those big dreams into concrete plans and actions.


• Building Deep Connections – Strong relationships are at the heart of our work. We invest in knowing students and families well, creating a community where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued.


• Providing Relentless Support for Excellence – We do not give up on students or each other. We use data, feedback, and targeted supports to help every student and adult grow, and we follow through consistently to ensure excellence in both effort and results.


• Preparing for the Real World – We connect learning to life beyond high school through internships, enrichment, and real-world problem solving. Students build the skills, habits, and mindsets they need to thrive in college, careers, and their communities.

The Principal is the instructional and cultural leader of Arcadia High School. Reporting to the Superintendent, the Principal is responsible for ensuring excellent teaching and learning in every classroom, building a strong and positive school culture, and driving toward ambitious outcomes for all students. This role includes direct leadership of teachers and staff, stewardship of the Arcadia model (team teaching, advisory, internships, and targeted supports), and close collaboration with families and community partners.

As a founding Principal, this leader will also help finalize and implement key systems and structures, including schedules, observation and feedback routines, data practices, and student support systems, while modeling Arcadia’s values in daily decision-making.

• Set a clear instructional vision aligned to Arcadia’s mission and team-teaching model.


• Ensure high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and assessments are implemented with fidelity in all content areas.


• Develop and lead a strong observation and feedback cycle for teachers that includes frequent classroom walkthroughs, coaching conversations, and actionable next steps.


• Lead data-driven instructional practices, including regular data meetings to analyze student work, identify trends, and plan responsive reteach and intervention.


• Oversee implementation of supports for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students needing additional academic intervention.


• Monitor student progress toward college-and-career-readiness benchmarks (e.g., course completion, GPA, ACT/SAT, advanced coursework, internships).

• Hire, onboard, and retain a diverse, mission-aligned team of teachers and staff, with particular attention to building a strong pipeline of Teaching Fellows and teacher-leaders.


• Create a professional culture of high expectations, continuous improvement, and mutual accountability.


• Plan and lead effective professional development aligned to school priorities and teacher needs.


• Coach and develop assistant principals, deans, and teacher-leaders to lead teams, own outcomes, and grow in their roles.


• Celebrate staff successes and build systems for meaningful recognition and feedback.

• Establish and maintain a school-wide culture that is safe, structured, joyful, and aligned to Arcadia’s values.


• Implement clear systems for behavior expectations, restorative practices, and student supports to ensure all students feel a strong sense of belonging.


• Oversee advisory, enrichment, and community-building structures that support students’ growth and leadership.


• Partner with counseling, special education, and student support teams to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs in a coordinated way.

• Serve as a visible, approachable, and responsive leader for families and community partners.


• Communicate regularly with families about student progress, school priorities, and upcoming events.


• Lead the recruitment and operations teams to support student enrollment, orientation, and successful transition into Arcadia.


• Cultivate relationships with community organizations, local businesses, and higher education partners to expand opportunities for internships, mentoring, and enrichment.

• Collaborate with the Superintendent and operations team to ensure effective day-to-day school operations, including scheduling, safety procedures, attendance systems, and testing.


• Contribute to the development and implementation of annual school goals and plans that align with Arcadia’s multi-year strategy.


• Monitor key metrics (enrollment, attendance, discipline, academic results, staff retention) and adjust strategies as needed.


• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as charter requirements and internal policies.


• Manage the school budget in partnership with the Superintendent/operations team, making resource decisions that prioritize student learning and staff support.

• Help refine and operationalize Arcadia’s instructional model (including team teaching, internships, and extended collaboration time for teachers) for the local context.


• Lead change management thoughtfully as systems evolve from the founding year to a fully built-out high school.


• Document and codify effective practices so they can be sustained and scaled as the school grows.


• Serve as a key thought partner to the Superintendent and a representative of Arcadia to external stakeholders.

All members of the Arcadia team will perform other job-related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the school and our students.

The Principal is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Superintendent of Arcadia Schools.

Expected Salary Range: $110,000–$135,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Arcadia High School offers a competitive compensation package that includes health benefits and participation in applicable retirement programs, aligned with our commitment to attracting and retaining exceptional school leaders.

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field strongly preferred.


• Valid Texas principal certification (or willingness and eligibility to obtain) preferred.


• Successful classroom teaching experience with a record of strong student outcomes.


• At least three years of school-based leadership experience (e.g., assistant principal, dean, instructional coach) with demonstrated impact on instruction and culture.


• Experience in high schools and/or charter schools strongly preferred.


• Experience working with multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and diverse, historically underserved communities.

• Deep belief that all students, regardless of background, can meet high academic and behavioral expectations with the right support.


• Strong instructional expertise, including knowledge of curriculum, assessment, and effective teaching practices.


• Proven ability to coach and develop teachers and leaders through observation, feedback, and data-driven support.


• Exceptional relationship-building skills with students, staff, and families.


• Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and execute on multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.


• Clear and compelling communicator, both in writing and in person.


• Growth mindset and openness to feedback; willingness to model continuous learning.


• Deep alignment with Arcadia’s mission, values, and belief that all students can succeed with the right support and high expectations.