Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving 19,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

The Academy Leader will serve as a member of the High School Leadership Team and assist the Principal in managing student culture and teacher development. Job responsibilities include the following:

1. Student Culture

• Organize and lead new student induction

• Organize and lead new family orientation

• Plan and support facilitation of student forums and community meetings 

• Manage Dean of Students in ways determined by Regional Superintendent of Instruction and Principal

• Facilitate family conversations and meetings, and action plan interventions for students when escalated from Dean of Students

2. College Readiness

• Plan and lead 9th grade forum

3. Collaborate with the Associate Director of Operations (ADOO) to evaluate and determine whole-school systems, including:

• Schedule

• Kickboard/Behavior management

• Lunch

• Arrival and Dismissal

4. Observation and Feedback

• Observe and support teachers struggling with behavior management

• Serve as primary instructional leader for electives teachers

5. Professional Development (PD)

• Collaborate with Principal and Dean of Curriculum & Instruction to determine PD calendar

• Plan and execute PD in August and throughout the year

• Manage Grade Team Leads to plan and lead Team Meetings

6. Supervision

• Supervise lunch on a daily basis

• Supervise morning arrival and afternoon dismissal

• Serve as the on-duty supervisor after school until 6:00pm one night per week

7. Other projects and initiatives as determined by the Principal and Regional Superintendent of Instruction (e.g., coaching specific teachers, developing and running classroom and student intervention programs)

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools and investment in our vision for being an anti-racist organization.

• Unwavering belief in high academic and behavioral expectations for all students.

• Experience in crisis and change management, leading and/or coaching adults and creating and maintaining whole school systems.

• Exceptional time and task management skills.

• Ability to persevere despite uncertainty and unexpected obstacles.

• Relentless drive to empower students academically and personally.

• Self-motivation, desire to be a great teammate, and a strong sense of personal responsibility.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues, and community members.

• Ability and desire to implement feedback from school leaders and colleagues. 

• Ability to interpret academic and behavioral data and identify trends

• Ability to provide high quality feedback to teachers and school culture teams

• Ability to facilitate whole school moments with strong leadership presence

• Requirements: 

  • Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred.

  • At least 3 years of experience working in an urban district or charter school setting.

  • At least 1 year of secondary school leadership experience with direct people management (e.g., Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Dean of Culture)

Our people are what makes us Uncommon.  We believe our compensation philosophy and benefits should reflect our values—equity, transparency, and clarity—to enhance our ability to attract and retain talent and reward their expertise.  Our staff receive best-in-class training, coaching, and support to develop and operate mission-driven schools that provide a high-quality education to our students and families.

Compensation for this position: Candidates who meet all job description requirements will likely receive an offer of $94,000.  The starting pay will depend on various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.  To receive an offer greater than $94,000, candidates will need experience beyond the job description requirements, including time spent in a directly equivalent role.

Other Benefits:

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time and school breaks (spring, winter, and summer)
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Choice of 3 comprehensive health insurance plans
• Pre-tax flexible spending and health saving accounts
• Financial planning & wellness
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
  • 529 college savings program
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness application assistance
  • Financial  planning tools and assistance
• Dependent Care FSA, back up childcare and daycare discounts
• Paid leave of absence 
  • Fully paid parental leave
  • Fully paid medical leave
  • Additional paid Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance 
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].