KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and life. There are 270 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 160,000 students and alumni. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 4x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  The mission of KIPP Columbus is together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond -- so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.  By establishing a rigorous, safe, and personalized learning environment, KIPP Columbus will foster a culture of responsibility and service and empower all students to become active and engaged citizens. 
 
KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top five schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. 100% of our first two classes of seniors (class of 2020 and 2021) graduated on track and on time (with 100% accepted to college and/or military service, earning nearly $40 million in scholarships).
 
In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with more than 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 
 
The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy.  

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The Resident Director of Student Life is a strong culture and community builder who will work alongside the Director of Student Life to cultivate a strong equity-centered and affirming excellent learning community for all students. They will directly work with Deans and Resident Deans of Student Life, School Leaders, and the broader team to create a school environment where students connect, grow, and thrive on our campus. This is an opportunity for a strong culture leader to learn and grow and build a cohesive K-12 student culture vision for the KIPP Columbus learning community. Eventually, the Resident Director of Student Life will step into the role of the Director of Student Life. 

Beyond our students, the Resident Director of Student Life will help to build community through our families and numerous community partners and will develop networks of mentors, enrichment opportunities, and regular family engagement on campus as a means to grow our community to enhance the student experience. 

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

K-12 Vision Setting and Implementation

• In partnership with the Director of Student Life and stakeholders, set the K-12 student culture and climate vision for KIPP Columbus  
• In partnership with the Director of Student Life, set and invest KIPP Columbus staff in a vision for a joyful, structured and caring school environment
• Lead data collection and assessment process to evaluate effectiveness of school climate initiatives including data and assessments related to service coordination, school-wide implementation of climate initiatives, stakeholder surveys
• Identify, develop, lead, and/or coordinate professional development opportunities related to (but not limited to) racial bias, restorative practices, age-appropriate discipline, and positive behavior incentive systems
• Conduct regular learning environment walkthroughs of the campus to ensure that practices align with our vision of both a culturally relevant and excellent school
• Consultation to school leadership and school teams on the development and implementation of systems and structures for Restorative Practices and other school culture and climate topics

Organizational Leadership

• Facilitate various forms of professional development on practices within school culture and climate
• Modeling and observing Restorative Practices and SEL implementation to ensure alignment with our K-12 vision
• Alongside the Director of Student Life, lead student disciplinary meetings and follow up (alongside Deans of Student Life) and reporting and identifying trends in data
• Lead K-12 Deans of Student Life in setting campuswide goals aligned to the KIPP Columbus culture vision
• Lead a K-12 Village for families and students, planning ways for families to deeply engage and partner with KIPP
• Collaborate with the Director of Family and Student Supports who oversees the referral of students requiring social-emotional and behavior support and social services
• Engage the school community and caregivers in the educational process by providing frequent opportunities to discuss student growth and needs
• Identify and connect with community partners that can enrich our students lives and the student experience at KIPP Columbus
• Pursue grants and other funding for additional partnerships and campus-wide enrichment
• Create on-going and meaningful ways for families to support and engage with our team and their students on and off-campus throughout the year
• Perform other duties as assigned

• 4 years of experience in school-leadership roles (required)
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in education or related fields (required)
• Minimum of three years of teaching/coaching experience
• Detail oriented with exceptionally strong follow-up and follow-through skills
• Demonstrated ability to  lead adults towards a common vision
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities
• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.