STEM Preparatory Academy, Chief Executive Officer

Located in Nashville, TN, STEM Preparatory Academy (STEM Prep) is dedicated to delivering a rigorous, inquiry-based education with a strategic focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. By cultivating a community of learning and academic excellence, STEM Prep bolsters the number of underrepresented students who graduate from the most competitive postsecondary programs and universities in the country and lead the discoveries and innovations of the future.

STEM Prep serves a unique, highly diverse population, achieving among the greatest academic results in the nation through the use of a novel academic model, and is doing so with unmatched efficiency. STEM Prep serves a greater percentage of English Learners (ELs) than Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and the state of Tennessee COMBINED.

STEM Prep centers on three core beliefs: every child deserves a rigorous, college preparatory education delivered by highly effective teachers; a culture of accountability and high expectations develops learners and leaders; and excellent schools are deeply and broadly tied to the communities they serve. STEM Prep serves more than one thousand students through its high school, middle school, and Nashville Newcomers Academy, an innovative program designed to address the unique needs of English Language Learners

To learn more about STEM Preparatory Academy, please visit https://stemprepacademy.org/.

STEM Prep Academy is searching for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Chief Executive Officer. The CEO serves as the school’s executive leader, setting the vision for and overseeing all aspects of the school’s programs in alignment with the charter. The CEO oversees a leadership team comprising a Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief People Officer, and Deputy Chief of Schools. This is an ideal opportunity for an innovative, student-centered leader who wants to build upon current success to ensure STEM Prep continues to live out its mission.

Organizational Leadership

• Develop and communicate the school’s systems, culture, and vision; create a student-centered plan and support all members of the school community to achieve that vision.
• Promote clear and inspiring vision that STEM Prep is an accessible option for underserved students and families in order to continue successfully recruiting and retaining students in a competitive market.
• Plan for and facilitate the charter renewal process.
• Lead the annual budget development process.
• Bolster staff longevity by aligning STEM Prep’s talent imperatives with programmatic and staffing needs.

Instructional Leadership

• Manage, support, and develop the Deputy Chief of Schools to continue improving academic performance.
• Oversee the development of a school-wide instructional vision that is well-defined with clear expectations for student success; interactive and encourages students to build and apply knowledge; well-paced; and aligned to state standards across grades.
• Support expansion of academic staffing model and the development and execution of professional development and highly effective coaching to support educator talent.
• Regularly review the school’s progress toward ambitious student achievement goals.

Operational Leadership

• Implement smart internal organizational systems aligned to STEM Prep’s mission, vision, and values that drive results for students.
• Oversee the completion of all school accountability reports (e.g., to the charter school authorizer, TN Department of Education, etc.)
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with the charter liaison and other key personnel within the authorizing school district.
• Ensure full enrollment and the meeting or exceeding of all attendance targets.

Financial Management

• Lead and maintain strong fiscal management of the organization, inclusive of the production of a clean annual audit, submission of appropriate tax forms, and healthy annual reserves.
• Ensure effective resource allocation for school programs and manage expenditures to meet budget expectations.
• Develop an external fundraising arm to diversify revenue streams.

Community Engagement

• Partner with families in supporting and empowering students holistically.
• Communicate regularly with families, ensuring they are involved and invested in their scholar’s school progress and performance.
• Strengthen relationships with colleges, including college fairs, advisory boards, and mentoring opportunities.

Requirements

• 7+ years of proven leadership experience across a complex system of schools with a track record of achieving excellent academic results.
• Demonstrated commitment to STEM Prep’s highly diverse population and mission of delivering a rigorous, inquiry-based education with a strategic focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• An unwavering commitment to the academic success and personal development of students.
• An understanding of and extensive experience with data-driven and standards-based instruction.
• A builder of authentic relationships with students, staff, families, community partners, policymakers, funders and other supporters.
• Demonstrated business, financial and entrepreneurial acumen; experience building and managing a budget; experience with facilities.
• Strong communication skills, including active listening and the ability to give and receive feedback.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience working with multilingual learners is strongly preferred.
• Master's degree in Education or related field (preferred).

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $170,000 - $210,000 and robust benefits including medical, dental, and retirement. More details can be provided upon request.

For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Corina Hopson at chopson@edgilityconsulting.com.

STEM Prep Academy believes it is critical for our staff, teachers, and leaders to reflect the communities that they serve. We actively support equal opportunity for all people. As such, we strongly encourage People of Color, Women, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, Individuals with Disabilities, First Generation College Graduates, and all other groups that have been historically marginalized to apply to become a member of the STEM Team.

STEM Preparatory Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its programs, services, or activities. STEM Prep does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

In compliance with Metro Nashville Public Schools' policy, all STEM Prep employees must pass a background check prior to employment.