While Achievement First recognizes that the number one factor impacting student achievement is teacher quality, we also know that teacher effectiveness and satisfaction are heavily influenced by the quality of school leaders.

School Leader Immersion Program

The School Leader Immersion (SLI) program is an exclusive opportunity for aspiring school leaders to develop the skills and mindset necessary to lead at a high-performing charter school. SLI participants will join a cohort from around the country in intensive sessions featuring professional development, observation and coaching led by Achievement First staff members. Here is our schedule of SLI events:

• Southeast SLI in Atlanta: Friday, March 30, 2012
• New England SLI in New Haven: Thursday, April 26 to Saturday, April 28, 2012
• East Coast SLI in Brooklyn: Friday, May 4, 2012

Please contact CJ Crowder, director of school leader recruitment, with questions. We also invite you to read our brief program description.

Leadership Positions

Each scaled Achievement First school has a principal, an academic dean, a dean of students/culture and a director of school operations. These leaders work together to ensure that all students show dramatic student achievement gains and develop strong character skills necessary for success in college. While each Achievement First school offers the following leadership positions, exact responsibilities vary based on the talent, experiences and interests of individual team members.

Principal

The principal is responsible for the overall management of their school while leading academic initiatives and programs related to school culture. She or he also oversees the professional development of all instructional staff and coaches a portfolio of teachers and deans.

Principal Job Description

Academic Dean

The academic dean works to ensure that every student reaches ambitious achievement goals for school-wide levels of mastery. She or he coaches a portfolio of teachers and frequently assumes ownership of a particular subject or grade level.

Academic Dean Job Description

Dean of Students/Culture

The dean of students leads school-wide efforts to build and maintain a strong, positive, achievement-oriented school culture where students grow in a warm and joyful environment. She or he coaches a portfolio of teachers and frequently assumes ownership of a particular subject or grade level.

Dean of Students/Culture Job Description

Principal-in-Residence

The principal-in-residence program is a two-year residency for future principals to grow, plan and learn as they prepare to lead an Achievement First school. Principals-in-residence are part of a cohort that provides many opportunities to collaborate, learn and exchange best practices throughout the two years.

Principal-in-Residence Job Description (Connecticut and New York)
Principal-in-Residence Job Description (Rhode Island)

Director of School Operations

The director of school operations designs and maintains smooth and efficient school-based systems and is responsible for all non-instructional services required to run the school. For example, she or he manages the day-to-day school financial operations, prepares the school campus for its launch year and each subsequent year, and administers critical data systems.

Director of School Operations Job Description (Connecticut)
Director of School Operations Job Description (New York)

Contact Us

If you have any questions about applying to Achievement First, please contact us at recruitment[at]achievementfirst[dot]org.