Who we are: KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis City. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission, vision, and equity statement.

Mission: 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 build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and at full growth, we will educate nearly 3,600 students and hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of PreK-12th grade.

What makes KIPP St. Louis unique?
We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed.  

Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day.

Every day, it is the great people at KIPP that prove the possibility. The Building Administrator Substitute plays a vital role in keeping our school community thriving whenever the principal or assistant principal is away. This leader ensures that students feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn each day, while also empowering teachers and staff to bring their best selves to the classroom. This role reports directly to the Chief of Schools. 

Position type: Temporary (based on district needs)

Direct Manager: Chief of Schools

Direct Reports: Assistant School Leader, Instructional Coach, School-based staff

Key Collaborators:

• School Leadership Team

• Regional Leadership Team

• Teachers and school-based staff

• Students and families

• Operations and student support teams

Autonomy & Decision Making

The Building Administrator Substitute is responsible for making day-to-day decisions necessary to maintain safe, effective, and consistent school operations while the school administrator is absent. The role is expected to exercise sound judgment, communicate proactively with regional leadership, and escalate significant academic, personnel, operational, safety, or student-related concerns when appropriate.

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day-to-day work?

• Provide leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of the school.

• Direct and support school-based staff, providing guidance, feedback, and performance support as needed.

• Supervise and support administrative staff to ensure effective execution of school systems and responsibilities.

• Monitor the delivery of high-quality academic instruction and ensure alignment with school and regional instructional priorities.

• Provide guidance to teachers and staff to support effective instruction, student engagement, and academic achievement.

• Monitor student achievement and progress toward instructional goals and use data to identify areas of need.

• Support the implementation of curriculum, instruction, professional development, and school improvement priorities.

• Support the development and implementation of the master schedule and student class schedules, as needed.

• Maintain a safe, positive, and welcoming school environment for students and staff.

• Ensure school rules, policies, and behavioral expectations are implemented fairly and consistently.

• Monitor the school building and grounds to ensure safe conditions and compliance with applicable health and safety requirements.

• Monitor compliance with KIPP St. Louis policies, school procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Support school-sponsored activities, events, and after-school programming as needed.

• Ensure accurate and confidential maintenance of personnel, student, and fiscal records.

• Prepare or oversee required documentation, reports, and other school-based administrative requirements.

• Maintain clear and timely communication with regional leadership, school staff, students, families, and community partners.

• Respond to and resolve school-based concerns and conflicts in a collaborative, tactful, and respectful manner.

• Maintain visibility throughout the school and build positive relationships with students, staff, and families.

• Partner with regional leadership and other stakeholders to support school priorities and community relationships.

• Maintain current knowledge of best practices and developments in curriculum, instruction, student support, and school administration.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?

• School operations remain safe, stable, and consistent during periods of administrator coverage.

• Students experience a positive, supportive, and academically focused school environment.

• Teachers and staff receive clear direction, support, and accountability.

• Academic instruction remains aligned with school and KIPP St. Louis expectations.

• Student achievement and behavioral data are monitored and addressed appropriately.

• School policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements are consistently followed.

• Families and staff experience clear, timely, and respectful communication.

• School-based concerns are addressed promptly and professionally.

• Required documentation and records are accurate, complete, and confidential.

• The school maintains a positive culture that reflects KIPP St. Louis' mission, vision, and values.

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

• School-based leadership and administration.

• Leading and developing teachers and staff.

• Instructional leadership and coaching.

• Using data to inform decisions and improve student outcomes.

• Managing student culture and behavior.

• Building strong relationships with students, staff, and families.

• Navigating challenging situations with professionalism, patience, and sound judgment.

• Communicating clearly with diverse stakeholders.

• Managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced school environment.

• Collaborating effectively with school and regional leadership.

What should I know a lot about already, i.e., what should I have expertise in?

• School operations and administration.

• Instructional best practices and curriculum implementation.

• Student achievement and data-driven instruction.

• School culture, student behavior, and restorative practices.

• Staff supervision, coaching, and performance management.

• School safety and compliance.

• School policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

• Effective communication and community engagement.

• Best practices in urban education and school leadership.

KIPP uses Indicators of Excellence (IOE) to codify what great looks like in daily work. For this role, the IOEs include:

• Student-Centered Leadership: Consistently prioritizes student safety, achievement, belonging, and well-being.

• Instructional Leadership: Maintains high expectations for teaching and learning and supports staff in delivering strong instruction.

• Operational Excellence: Ensures school systems, routines, and procedures operate effectively and consistently.

• People Leadership: Builds trust, provides clear expectations, and supports staff growth and accountability.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses student, staff, and operational data to identify needs and inform action.

• Communication: Communicates clearly, proactively, and respectfully with staff, students, families, and regional leaders.

• Collaboration: Partners effectively with others to solve problems and advance school priorities.

• Equity & Belonging: Creates an environment where students and staff feel respected, valued, and supported.

• Adaptability: Remains calm, flexible, and solutions-oriented when responding to unexpected challenges.

• Mission Alignment: Demonstrates a deep commitment to KIPP St. Louis' mission, vision, and commitment to educational equity.

What you bring to the table:

Required

• Bachelor's degree 

• Administrative credential or current enrollment in an administrative credentialing program

• Demonstrated experience in school-based leadership, preferably in an urban school setting

• Previous experience as a principal, assistant principal, dean, instructional leader, or other school-based administrator

• Demonstrated ability to use data and regular assessment to inform instructional and school-level decisions

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, students, and families

• Strong public speaking, written, and verbal communication skills

• Technological proficiency and adaptability

• Excellent organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills

• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions and remain calm in high-pressure situations

• The desire and humility to continuously grow as a leader

Preferred

• Master's degree

• Five or more years of successful school-based leadership experience

• Experience leading in an urban public school or public charter school environment

• Experience supervising and developing teachers and school-based staff

• Experience using student achievement data to drive school improvement

• Experience with school scheduling, budgeting, compliance, and operational systems

What we bring to the table:

Compensation: $400/day ($50/hour) and MUST have an appropriate administrator certification. 

          ***Please note as an hourly employee, you are only paid for the days you work. There are no paid holidays or paid breaks. In addition, you are not paid for any unexpected snow days or school closure days.