Principal Architect jobs in Middlesex, NJ

Cresthaven Academy Charter School exists to provide a comprehensive education to our scholars that develops the ‘whole child' through academic excellence, physical wellness, emotional health, and character enrichment. Our school is built on the belief that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed when given equal access to a high-quality education. Each of our scholars will be empowered to overcome challenges and equipped to sustain their success in school and beyond.

Cresthaven Academy Charter School opened in August 2016 with 75 kindergarten scholars and adds a grade each academic year until we are a K-8 school. All Cresthaven Academy scholars receive access to the best educators and resources, serving to actualize each child’s potential and setting them on the path to college. Cresthaven Academy Charter School is supported by Cresthaven Academy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation exists to support the school and teaching staff in all things outside of classroom instruction, reducing the risk of burnout and raising academic standards by allowing educators to focus on their scholars. Together we incorporate comprehensive support for scholars and families into the education model, including an afterschool program, in order to inspire excellence in character, identity, and academics in each child.

Cresthaven Academy is focused on supporting excellent teaching that closes the achievement gap. We recognize that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement. We also value leadership and support staff because they facilitate, encourage, and help to foster the developmental growth of scholars to achieve physical, social and mental well-being by providing quality care and expertise in their respective roles.

Principal

The Principal will be directly accountable to the Board of Trustees for the advancement of the school’s mission as measured by the school’s academic success, maintenance of a rigorous school culture, and the continued organizational viability of the school. The Principal will oversee staff supervision and evaluation, the implementation of general, special education and ESL programs, curriculum and instruction, data and assessment, professional development, school climate and culture, parent and community involvement and budget.

COMPETENCIES

The Principal should be an individual who….

• Has alignment to and a sense of urgency around Cresthaven Academy Charter School’s mission;
• Has the ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment and is able to work autonomously and thoroughly, as well as take direction as needed;

• Is deeply self-reflective, passionate and committed to world-class schooling and excellence.
• Has a deep desire to codify best practices in instruction and leadership;
• Has the ability to move comfortably between high level strategic thinking and intricate details;
• Is an excellent team player, always puts the team’s goals first and works to support and motivate peers;
• Has excellent project management skills with proven systems to maintain integrity;
• Is a leader with conviction who knows how to build relationships across teams and can inspire their school community;
• Has grit and courage in the face of really difficult work; and
• Is a proven people manager with the ability to set measurable goals to promote advancement of their school community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

DRIVES RESULTS

• Develops organizational goals and objectives consistent with the mission and values of the school;
• Fosters and maintains a school climate that supports both student and staff success and promotes respect and appreciation for all scholars, staff and parents that is aligned with the mission and values of the school;
• Creates, monitors and sustains a school culture of academic rigor through the consistent implementation of systems and structures to maximize student learning;
• Ensures high standards for student behavior, performance and attendance across all grades;
• Ensures that all disciplinary issues are immediately addressed in alignment with the mission and values of the school;
• Leads process improvement as needed based on data and feedback from all stakeholders.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP & SCHOOL CULTURE

• Works with all staff to improve student achievement by leading the educational program;
• Manages, evaluates and develops a team of grade team leaders, leadership and support staff, and teachers to increase student achievement using board approved evaluation models;
• Oversees curriculum development and assessments;
• Implements effective internal and external assessment systems and uses data to inform decisions;
• Ensures strong consistency within the school program and curricular alignment with state and other rigorous standards;
• Works with Leadership Team to support systems of accountability (school benchmarks, school report card) to close gaps between and among all students and subgroups;
• Works with Assistant Principal to ensure consistency in instruction and practices amongst team of teachers;
• Develops and communicates the school’s systems, culture, and vision, and creates plan to achieve that vision;
• Ensures that the learning environment and classroom instruction maximize student learning;
• Conducts regular in-class observations and regularly provides clear and written feedback to teachers;
• Conducts building, department and grade level meetings as needed;
• Works with Assistant Principal to adhere to all test and assessment administration timelines, and oversees proctoring and testing oversight;
• Leads and grows a learning environment where social emotional learning practices are the foundation for how we honor scholars, families and staff;
• Ensures that instruction, discipline, professional development, peer interaction and school culture are all aligned with the school’s mission, vision and core value; and
• Develops and presents data analysis conclusions to the Board of Trustees.

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

• Leads and supports staff in formulating school-wide goals, plans and policies;
• Leads and coordinates parent and staff surveys twice per year, and utilizes the results to inform and plan improvements;
• With the School Business Administrator, helps maintain a budget that ensures fiscal solvency;
• Ensures compliance of local, state and federal laws and regulations;
• Works with the Administrative Director to ensure the safety and security of all scholars, staff, visitors and property;
• Approves expenditures

MANAGES PEOPLE

• Communicates the vision that supports the school’s goals and values and inspire the teachers, staff and school to maintain continual progress in fulfilling the school’s mission;
• Leads in the management of human resources to create an effective, collaborative team of people jointly responsible for the attainment of the school’s goals and commitment to achieving excellence;
• Develops, implements and oversees professional development opportunities for all staff;
• Continually monitors progress on all measures of school and staff performance;
• Leads in the recruitment, selection and hiring of all staff and manages performance of all hired;
• Adheres to HR policies and state/federal employment laws; and
• Oversees any, and all, disciplinary actions.

BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS

• Serves as the liaison between the school and NJDOE state offices;
• Builds strong relationships among parents, scholars, teachers and the community and creates investment around attendance, homework, school culture initiatives, and overall scholar success;
• Works across differences while ensuring structures and practices exemplify cultural competence;
• Develops positive relationships with the local school district, local government, neighboring schools and other stakeholders;
• Represents the school at professional conferences, meetings, and workshops, and serves as the school’s spokesperson;
• Exhibits a high degree of professionalism in all elements of this position, while serving as a contributing member of the school team and a dedicated role model for other employees.

The Principal may be asked to perform additional tasks and assume other responsibilities assigned by the or Board of Trustees.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in School Leadership from an accredited university required;
• Standard New Jersey Principal Certification
• A minimum of 5 years of urban classroom experience with proven, measurable, significant academic student growth;
• Experience as a Vice Principal or equivalent leadership role highly preferred (3-5 years):
• Experience at a high-performing charter school highly preferred, but not required (2-4 years);
• Successful experience leading data-driven professional development sessions in a charter school setting;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and work with Board of Trustees, staff, scholars, and parents;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Bilingual (Spanish) highly preferred. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT CRESTHAVEN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We are invested in hiring, training, and retaining top talent. Before the school year begins, we offer three weeks of targeted training for new staff and two weeks for returning staff.  Support includes:

• Built-in planning time for intense collaboration with grade teams and school leaders.
• Outside professional development opportunities to acquire additional skills to support
• all scholars.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY

At Cresthaven Academy, we are working collaboratively with parents and community leaders to build a culture of success and student achievement. We hold all members of our school community to high expectations, know every scholar and family by name, and offer comprehensive support to ensure success for all of our scholars. 

• After-School offers us an opportunity to be creative and think out of the box to better serve our scholars.

• Staff will have the option of receiving an additional stipend for work conducted to enhance enrichment programming.
• Home visits and Parent Academy are designed to build rapport with families and establish a strong sense of community.

Cresthaven Academy Charter School offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills. Cresthaven Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.