Job Description

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment  to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

Reporting to the Managing Director of High School, the High School Principal is the academic and culture leader of the school. The High School Principal is responsible for setting and driving strategic priorities, ensuring excellent instruction and equitable outcomes for all students, creating the conditions for all students to thrive, facilitating the growth and development of all staff members, and shaping the day-to-day management of the school and its culture. The High School Principal should be passionate about excellence and equity, champion DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child Model, care deeply about the communities we serve, and work relentlessly to create and sustain transformational outcomes for all students.

The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the mission and values of DREAM and should have substantial expertise in all areas of responsibility. Candidates must also value DREAM’s comprehensive approach to education and desire to make a lasting impact in underserved communities as part of a growing organization.

This role will involve two distinct phases:

A Planning Stage/In-Residence Year (School Year 2025-2026) during which time the day-to-day running of the school will be led by the Managing Director of High School, and;

An Implementation Stage (School Year 2026-2027 and beyond) during which the High School Principal will take over full leadership of the school.

Responsibilities

• Planning Stage / In-Residence Year - School Year 2025-2026
• During the planning year, the High School Principal will collaborate with the Managing Director of High School, the Chief Education Officer, and other key stakeholders to “hit the ground learning,” integrate themselves deeply within the community, develop and refine a vision for the school, and begin moving gradually into more areas of responsibility.
• Planning Stage responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
• Build relationships with staff, students, families, peer Principals, and Network stakeholders;
• Internalize DREAM's Grow the Whole Child model and the long-term vision for DREAM Charter High School;
• Directly support with student culture;
• Coach and develop teachers and leaders as needed;
• Shadow the Managing Director of High School to learn all aspects of the Principal role;
• Take ownership of and directly lead a school-wide strategic priority;
• Take on Principal responsibilities over time (see below).
• Implementation Stage - School Year 2026-2027 and beyond
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Lead the development of a rich, engaging and rigorous curriculum that is aligned with the Common Core Standards;
• Systematically monitor data and observe instruction to facilitate effectiveness, alignment, and quality across grade level and content teams;
• School Culture
• Lead the development of a high-performing High School culture through the refinement and maintenance of systems and routines which set high expectations and are aligned to DREAM’s responsive and restorative educational philosophy;
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with staff, students, and families;
• Facilitate the planning and program coordination for DREAM High School’s College and Career Access Program;
• Strategic Leadership
• Ensure strategic management of the high school grounded in regular review and analysis of student SEL, culture, and academic achievement data;
• Create and execute the school development plan and goal setting, consistent with the school’s charter contract;
• Utilize ethical and motivational leadership appropriate to the context in which the school operates;
• Develop and implement school policies as a member of DREAM’s Management team;
• Talent Development
• Recruit, select, train, and retain a high-performing team of teachers, leaders, and support staff;
• Lead the professional development calendar and ongoing improvement of teaching through a variety of strategies, including lesson observations, regular use of data,
• collaborative planning and inquiry, regular program of training, coaching and mentoring, and ensure high levels of student achievement and learning through rigorous and engaging classes;
• Supervise and support members of the School Leadership Team, and through them the school staff;
• Collaboration
• Regularly report to the Managing Director of High School, Chief Education Officer, and the Board of Trustees;
• Facilitate robust collaboration amongst and between school-based teammates and network teammates;
• Build and sustain strong relationships with the Board, donors, local community, and all internal and external stakeholders;
• Whole Child Approach
• Ensure the implementation of a tiered program of responsive support in English and Math for students who are below expected levels in these subjects;
• Build strong and responsive special education programming to ensure success in school for students with special needs, including compliance with special education laws;
• Collaborate with the leadership team to create extended school day and school year programming, grounded in our Grow the Whole Child model;
• Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in educational leadership or similar, preferred;
• At least three years of teaching experience with a proven track record of success, required (strong preference for teaching at the High School level, and teaching at a Charter School);
• At least three years of school leadership experience, including experience leading, managing, coaching, and developing other leaders, required (with a strong preference for whole-school leadership and leadership at the High School level, and leadership at a Charter School);
• A deep sense of self-awareness and the desire to grow and improve;
• An unwavering commitment to advancing the cause of educational equity;
• A desire to lead within DREAM’s Whole Child Model;
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Strong strategic leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
• Impeccable integrity;
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Referral bonuses;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days;
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The expected salary for this position is $155,000 per year.

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

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