Secondary Principal (Grades 7-12)

Job Title:  Secondary Principal (Grades 7-12)

Reports to:  Executive Director

Salaried or Hourly:  Salaried

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Supervisory:  All Secondary Staff, Teachers, and Instructional Aides

Normal Work Hours:  40 hours per week

Annual Days:  261

Salary: $90,000-$95,000 per year (commensurate with experience).

The 7-12 Principal job posting will expire on May 10, 2024

General Purpose:  The 7-12 Principal is responsible for ensuring that the school’s mission is implemented successfully across all secondary grades.  The 7-12 Principal is responsible for long-term planning and day-to day decision making for the secondary grades, support and supervision of students, leadership, and support for 7-12 staff, utilization of facilities, and keeping the Executive Director informed of all happenings and needs of the secondary program.  This includes student academic achievement; student discipline, welfare, and safety; parent satisfaction; and staff development, coordination, and oversight. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead in developing, communicating, and achieving the vision and mission of the school:

• Assist in strategic planning of the school and developing long and short-term goals.
• Actively oversee and continually assess and develop the school’s character development program.
• Continue to develop, refine, and guide the school’s classical academic program.
• Oversee planning and evaluation of curriculum and instruction.
• Oversee teacher hiring and development in alignment with our Mission.
• Assess and plan for near and long-term staffing, facility, and program needs.
• Take responsibility for the culture and climate of the secondary program in alignment with the Vanguard Culture Statement

Make day-to-day decisions and oversee secondary school administrative functions.

• Communicates a clear vision of excellence and continuous improvement consistent with the school’s mission.
• Analyze, report, and interpret student performance data and achievement, make recommendations for instructional improvement and support teachers in using the data to reflect on teaching practices.
• Ensure compliance with state laws and school policies.
• Oversee administration of state and school assessments
• Participate in professional activities to enhance knowledge and skills and share expertise with colleagues.

Support and supervise secondary students.

• Model good character and oversee the implementation (in accordance with mission) of character education.
• Recognize students who achieve excellence and/or show improvement in academic and behavioral areas.
• Oversee the 9-12 college counseling program and ensure students are being guided to gain admission to a range of schools that are a good fit and are being supported with the financial and transitional aspects of attending college.
• Establish the master schedule for instructional programs in partnership with the Executive Director
• Serve as administrative point of contact for families.
• Oversee student discipline and implement disciplinary measures for students in violation of school rules and policies. 

Lead and support secondary faculty and staff.

• Recruit, interview, hire, develop, evaluate, and retain secondary staff.
• Oversee the assignment of personnel.
• Build and develop the team and create rapport among the staff.
• Ensure administration of human resource policies and programs
• Oversee the implementation of the annual evaluation cycle to provide ongoing feedback to all instructional staff.
• Collaboratively plan, implement, and support professional development as part of the school-wide plan.
• Work with Human Resources to maintain up-to-date job descriptions for all personnel.
• Oversee employee discipline consistent with School Board policies and employment standards.
• Ensure that secondary staff are performing their duties in a professional manner.

Promote School Involvement

• Positively represent the school and its mission to the students, parents, colleagues, and public.
• Provide a continual presence in buildings and classrooms to observe the quality of the educational environment.
• Supervise the Athletic Director and guide the athletic program in alignment with and support of the school’s Mission and academic program.
• Support and oversee coordination of athletics and extracurricular activities with other programs.
• Keep the public informed about educational practices and trends as well as the policies, practices, successes, and challenges of the school.

Promote Positive Communication and Interaction

• Maintain high standards for student character and academic achievement.
  • Develop effective communication and collaboration with parents.
  • Work with program directors to ensure that there is an effective system of communication between teachers, staff, students, and parents.
  • Collaborate with other members of the Vanguard leadership team for mutual support, alignment between programs, and the overall success of the school and its students.

Special Education and Title Programs

• Work with the Student Services Coordinator to ensure compliance with the guidelines established by the Colorado Department of Education and ensure implementation of administrative procedures for Special Education and other programs consistent with federal law, state school law, and Vanguard guidelines.

Manage secondary school facilities.

• Identify, prioritize, and advocate for long-term needs facility needs.
• Ensure school facilities and grounds are safe and well maintained.
• Approve scheduling of all activities taking place in secondary school facilities

Maintain excellent communication with the Executive Director

• Report regularly on school events, staff issues, student issues, and facilities needs or concerns.
• Respond as appropriate to communications, questions, etc. (in urgent cases this may require immediate response outside of work hours)

Other Duties and Responsibilities:  As needed or assigned.

Minimum Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree
• Highly qualified in secondary education

Experience: 

Have demonstrated three years of satisfactory teaching, administrative, or supervisory experience. At least three years of experience at an administrative or supervisory level preferred.

Benefits: 

• Dental / Health / Life / Vision / Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA). 

Physical Requirements of this position include:

FREQUENCY OF REQUIRED EXPOSURE / USE

Working Environment:  Seldom / Occasional / Frequent 

Cold (50 F or less)                 X

Heat (90 F or more)               X

Humidity                                 X

Heights / Ladders                   X

Noise                                                                           X

Walking (including stairs)                                            X

Driving                                   X

Standing                                                                      X

Sitting                                                                          X

Operating Machinery:  Seldom / Occasional / Frequent 

Copier                                                                         X

Telephone                                           X

Printer                                                                         X

Calculator                                                                   X

Computer / Mouse                                                      X

Facsimile                                             X

Moving Equipment and Supplies:  Seldom / Occasional / Frequent 

Light (under 5 lbs.)                                                                         X

Moderate (5 - 20 lbs.)                                                                     X

Heavy (over 20 lbs.)                                                 X

Description of Movement:  Frequent 

Lift / Lower                                 X

Carry                                          X

Push / Pull                                 X

Reach Above                             X

Other Requirements:           Frequent 

Visual Acuity (near and far)           X

Color Discrimination                      X

Hearing                                          X

Speech                                          X

Travel:      Seldom 

Local                X

National          X

This description is not intended, and should not be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the primary job elements essential for making compensation decisions.

DISCLAIMERS

• All employees must submit to and pass a CBI / FBI fingerprint background check as a condition of employment.  The Vanguard School is subject to all federal and state laws and constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or ancestry in its programs and activities.