Principal, Middle School 25/26 (Education)

Principal, Middle School

Position:

Principal, Middle School

Reports to:

Director of Middle Schools

Classification:

SYRS (12 months), Full Time, Exempt

Salary Range:

$115,600 - $156,400

Location:

ACE Esperanza Middle School

Position Summary:

The Middle School Principal at ACE Charter Schools is an instructional leader charged with dramatically improving academic outcomes for all students while ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, and a culture of accountability and support. Reporting to the Director of Middle Schools and directly accountable to the CEO for critical deliverables, the Principal will lead data-driven instruction, develop teacher effectiveness, and foster strong partnerships with families and the community.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:

Instructional Leadership

Teacher Coaching and Evaluation:

Build a high-performing academic program centered on standards-based, culturally relevant, and data-driven instruction.

Conduct weekly teacher observations and debriefs, documenting all feedback and progress.

Complete formal Mid-Year and End-of-Year Evaluations for each teacher

Celebrating growth and develop leaders for departments

Academic Improvement Plan (AIP):

Collaboratively review, implement, and monitor AIP progress in partnership with the CEO.

Model student first mentality in furthering their growth and achievement

Assessment Management:

Ensure full compliance with assessment windows for ELPAC, CAASPP, and STAR; Achieve and track 100% student participation rates.

Conduct all staff training for mandated assessments and submit daily test completion reports to the Director of Middle Schools and CEO.

Conduct post-assessment PD sessions to review data and drive instructional adjustments.

Multi Tiered Systems of Support

Monitor and address the academic performance of students with disabilities, English Learners, and all other subgroups.

Ensure all students receive differentiated, personalized instruction aligned to formative assessment data.

Track student progress regularly; identify students at risk of failure and develop individualized intervention plans through the MTSS process.

Collaborate with network leadership, expert consultants, Director of Middle Schools and the CEO to address high needs cases.

Professional Development

Develop and lead a comprehensive Annual PD Calendar in collaboration with the Director of Middle Schools and the CEO.

Facilitate weekly Professional Development aligned to instructional needs and ACE strategic goals.

Operational Excellence and Compliance

Maintain systems and protocols that prioritize the safety of students and staff by following all safety protocols and communication structures.

In collaboration with your Office Manager, ensure all Local, State and Federal compliance reporting is completed accurately and submitted on time.

Hold weekly meetings with the Director of Middle Schools, CEO, School Site Leadership Team, Recruitment Team and other groups to ensure transparent flow of information with all groups.

Governance, Safety, and Risk Management

Report to the Director of Middle Schools and the CEO immediately if significant incidents occur (staff resignation, staff or student injury, emergency situations).

Implement school safety plans, including all mandated drills and emergency response protocols. Lead crisis response and ensure operational resilience.
Ensure strong school site governance structures (Padre Lideres (PLT), ELAC, SSC, student leadership).
Staff Attendance Management:

Manage all Time Off Requests in accordance with ACE policies and Best Practices for Maximizing Student Success, and to ensure proper coverage and supervision of students.

Manage daily teacher and staff absences, ensuring admin coverage is always available.

Campus Culture and Events

Oversee the planning and staffing of all student events and field trips; ensure safe supervision ratios.

Require permission slips for all activities; prioritize experienced teachers for overnight trips.

Responsible for oversight of school events and sports programs, in collaboration with the School Operations Leader to ensure events are well planned and executed.

Recruitment, Enrollment, and Family Engagement

Oversee the management of new student applications in PowerSchool before the start of the school year.

Ensure Office Managers and assistants properly track new applications outside of SchoolMint.

Achieve 100% participation in Fall and Spring Student-Led Conferences (SLCs).

Track SLC participation rates and submit updates to the Director of Middle Schools.

Lead family engagement efforts aligned to enrollment, student retention, and culture-building.

Oversee the planning and staffing of all field trips; ensure safe supervision ratios.

Require permission slips for all activities; prioritize experienced teachers for overnight trips.

Qualifications & Skills

Demonstrated expertise in coaching, professional development, instructional leadership, and special education compliance.
Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Fluent in data analysis and its application to school improvement efforts.

Commitment to ACEs mission of advancing student achievement for historically underserved students.

Bilingual skills (Spanish or Vietnamese) preferred.

Education & Experience

Bachelors degree and teaching credentials required; Masters degree or administrative credential preferred.
Minimum of 5 years teaching experience and 2 years in a leadership role, ideally in urban or underserved communities.

Valid California Teaching Credential is required, Administrative Credential is preferred.

Previous experience as a Principal, school administrator or equivalent leadership experience managing programs and staff.

You have experience leading a team of educators as an Instructional Coach or Assistant Principal.

You have classroom teaching experience in the secondary grades (6-12) and a proven track record of using data to increase student learning.

Physical Demands

To perform essential functions for the role, you should be able to:

Talk, hear and communicate with both adults and children

Use hands or fingers to handle objects, tools, or controls

Walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms

Occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and climb ladders

In terms of vision, have close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus

Must be on campus daily; including evenings/weekends for school, recruitment, or community events; available for emergency communications evenings/weekends as needed.

Must be able to walk school facilities, lift up to 50 pounds occasionally, and support physically active supervision.

Salary & Benefits

Competitive salary within the stated range, based on experience.
Full health benefits package.

Participation in the CalSTRS retirement system.

ACE Charter Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.