High School Academy Leader

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. With over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color, we exemplify diversity, equity, and inclusion. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

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. The Academy Leader will partner on many school leadership initiatives with the school’s Associate Director of Operations (ADOO). The Academy Leader’s job responsibilities include the following:

Student Culture

• Organize and lead new student induction and new family orientation
• Plan and lead Freshman Forum, weekly, as delegated by Principal
• Plan and teach a portion of the 9th grade College Readiness class
• Plan and support facilitation of student forums and community meetings 
• Facilitate family conversations and meetings, and action plan interventions for students when escalated by Dean of Students

People Management

• Manage the HS 2.0 Program Manager who plays a key role in ensuring students are engaged with opportunities to find and pursue their passions through projects, internships, summer programs, and competitive clubs
• Manage the Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, and Grade Team Leads in ways determined by Regional Superintendent of Instruction and Principal
• Manage other teachers or staff as delegated by the Principal and/or DOO

School Systems + Supervision

• Observe  and improve whole-school systems (e.g., lunch, arrival, dismissal) to ensure they meet the needs of students and families and that student culture expectations are upheld
• Supervise lunch, morning arrival, and dismissal on a daily basis

Student Attendance

• Plan and facilitate chronic absenteeism and truancy meetings
• Manage the chronic absenteeism and truancy team to action steps and outcomes
• Provide escalated family follow-up around attendance as needed

Observation and Feedback

• Observe and support teachers struggling with behavior management
• Serve as primary instructional leader for electives teachers

Professional Development (PD)

• Collaborate with the Principal and Dean of Curriculum & Instruction to determine the PD calendar
• Plan and execute PD in August and throughout the year
• Manage Grade Team Leads to plan and lead Team Meetings

Other Projects

• 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 make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $107,000 and $145,900. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $107,000 - $113,500. 

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. 

* The range above represents our compensation scales for the 2025-2026 school year. If starting prior to June 30th, 2025, compensation will be based on a slightly lower range, reflective of current compensation scales. New hires who fall into this category will see an increase in their compensation starting on July 1st, 2025 for next school year which aligns to the scale above.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer). 
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development  
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE.

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].