Reimagining Education in a Community with Heart

Executive Search: Principal of REACH Charter School

Job Description

About REACH
REACH is a one-of-a-kind public charter school in Denver, Colorado with the commitment to create
a totally inclusive school community and learning environment. REACH opened its doors in 2015
and serves all children with a highly differentiated instructional model that views every child as a
unique learner, shaped by language, culture, gender, ability, and economic circumstances. With
this framework, REACH can include a significant number of children who are served with Individual
Education Plans (IEPs), higher than the usual number of children served in a single setting. REACH
also provides a school setting for families who wish to have a more active role in their child’s
education. REACH is searching for a Principal with experience and confidence in leading a school
with dedication to such diversity, including a high number of students with significant challenges.

Principal (FT)
The Principal of REACH will serve as the instructional leader, maintaining a clear vision and
commitment to: (1) the school’s mission of providing a high-quality, inclusive education in a
public Pk-5 charter school; (2) lead parents and teachers in collaborative processes to support
the school’s mission; (3) prioritize the development of a thriving, welcoming school community
whose participants are dedicated to the well-being and growth of all members of the
community; (4) oversee and maintain excellence in the educational program, business
processes, and community involvement; (5) support, mentor and empower the teaching staff in
decision-making and best practices; and (6) provide accountability to the Board of Directors and
the district.

Specific duties:
Educational Program
The Principal serves as the instructional leader, and oversees curriculum development and
assessment through collaboration with district personnel and the Vice Principal, to ensure that
educational and other programs have all required supports and resources to be successful. The
Principal provides leadership in preparing for charter renewal, district oversight, and annual
reviews. Specifically, the Principal:
 Communicates a clear vision to all teachers of the school’s mission and educational
program expectations;
  Maintains communication with the appropriate district personnel, including
presentation of formal reports as appropriate;
 Follows the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Leadership framework;
 Develops and oversees team structures and teaming processes while monitoring
weekly schedules and communication loops.
 Leads development, implementation and evaluation of curriculum in collaboration
with staff;
 Supervises, evaluates and reports on school wide benchmark assessments;
 Plans and leads staff professional development; promotes teacher-leader roles
within the school;
 Evaluates and supervises all staff;
 Organizes and provides guidance for intervention programs with trans-disciplinary
teams;
 Oversees day-to-day curriculum and classroom management mentoring to teachers;
 Oversees student discipline issues as needed;
 Provides leadership in communicating student progress to parents.

Assessment
 Oversees student testing (state) and coordinates all aspects of this process (e.g.,
training staff, establishing testing schedules)
 REACH currently uses Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS).

Business and Management

 Provides leadership for fair and ethical treatment of all employees and contractors
and fosters a positive reputation for the school in all its business dealings;
 Set priorities for annual budgeting and communicates them to the Board of
Directors;
 Approves all major expenditures;
 Negotiates contractual agreements with advice from the Finance Committee;
 Oversees budget and cash flow through weekly updates from the Office Manager;
 Provides leadership in fundraising and marketing, so that grants and events support
the school’s mission and that all marketing materials correctly represent the
school’s philosophy;
 Works with the Board of Directors on improving facilities and on fundraising;
 Oversees all marketing and enrollment activities;
 Oversees all HR, benefits, and payroll activities;
 Ensures a safe environment for learning;
 Helps to oversee and evaluates the office staff, specifically:
 Creates systems for keeping the office running smoothly;
 Works with office personnel to manage and support their work flow and
maintaining a consistent, productive, and friendly environment;
 Implement and follow DPS policies and procedures; coordinates
development and implementation of the school schedule; 
  Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal policies, regulations
and reports.

Families and Community

 Participates as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and maintains a
positive, productive relationship with the Board;
 Creates a school-wide culture in which all parties make themselves accessible and
approachable to families, students and community members through inclusive and
welcoming behaviors; facilitates and ensures strong family-school partnerships with
clear and open lines of communication and opportunities for families to participate;
 Effectively communicates school’s mission and educational philosophy to parent
community;
 Leads community discussions and parent education events in collaboration with
teachers;
 Participates in PTO meetings and events;
 Leads parent tours, effectively communicating the school’s philosophy to interested
parents;
 Represents school effectively and networks at DPS, Colorado League of Charter
Schools and other organizations;
 Represents school to community at large in conferences, educational organizations,
at speaking engagements;
 Promote the school in local community groups and among local politicians for
fundraising opportunities and to increase the school’s representation.

Required Qualifications
 A commitment to and deep experience in ensuring high quality, fully inclusive
educational programming;
 Demonstrated successful leadership in a senior administrative position in an
inclusive public or private school as Principal or Head of School; experience leading a
Charter School preferred;
 Demonstrated successful teaching experience (minimum 5 years preferred) in an
inclusive setting;
 Exhibited leadership in working with professional staff, students, and the
community;
 Cohesion with the academic goals and philosophy of the school;
 Commitment to accountability, including a rigorous student assessment (through
observation & testing);
 Demonstrated success in promoting family-school partnerships in diverse
communities and fostering a school community;
 Experience with ECE preferred by not required;
 Must have a Master’s Degree in an educational field (e.g., educational
administration; special education; elementary education) and at least three years of
school administrative/leadership experience in addition to the required teaching
experience. Must possess or be eligible for Colorado Principal licensure.

Salary Commensurate with experience

Interested candidates should submit: (1) a current resume, (2) a cover letter describing
experience with inclusive education, and (3) a list of references to Board Member and search
committee chair Dr. John Ronquillo at j.ronquillo@reachpk5.org with the subject line “REACH
Inclusive Principal Search.” Applicant evaluations will begin immediately. Position will remain
open until filled. Please no phone calls.