Head of School

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Status: Full-time, Exempt, CalSTRS Retirement Eligible

Supervises: Division Directors (2), Instructional Coaches (4), Director of Special Education, Director of Student Support Services, and Athletic Director

Salary: $175,000 & MWA Benefits

Summary

Making Waves Academy (MWA), a 5th12th grade, high-performing California charter school, is seeking a Head of School. MWA is committed to academic excellence, equity, and developing the whole child and we seek a dynamic educational leader who can unite our school community around our shared mission while guiding our program to new heights of achievement and innovation. The Head of School is a skilled observer, a data-informed evaluator, a supportive coach, a visionary leader, and a strong communicator.

This is a multifaceted role that requires a deep commitment to teacher growth and student success. The Head of School will be responsible for guiding the academic vision and operational excellence for both middle school (5-8) and high school (9-12) divisions while directly supervising divisional directors, the athletic director, the director of special education, and instructional coaches.

The Head of School must be responsive and accountable to the CEO in the following areas as they relate to MWA’s mission, vision, and values, including as it relates to our tagline:

• LEARN – A focus on early intervention and remediation of academic skills in math, reading, and writing and social-emotional decision-making development in the lower grades (5th-6th); a continued focus on social-emotional development, academic skill development, and preparation for high school-level rigor and decision-making in the middle grades (7th-9th), and continued social-emotional development, academic skill development, and post-secondary pathway exploration along with college access exposure in the upper grades (10th-12th grades).
• GRADUATE – We have had great success with helping students meet the important milestone of earning their high school diplomas. With our graduation requirements aligned with the California college and university admissions requirements for “a-g” course completion, we expect as close to 100% of our students to graduate, earn their high school diplomas, be college-eligible, and “pre-career” ready.
• GIVE BACK – We expect students to “recycle their success” (taken from the Making Waves Affirmation) and give back in a myriad of ways – from volunteering within the community to participating in programs and volunteering in the larger Richmond community and beyond.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the division directors to develop and implement the school's educational vision and strategic plan
• Ensure alignment of academic programs across grade levels while respecting developmental differences
• Oversee curriculum development and implementation across both divisions
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness using relevant metrics and student outcome data

Personnel Management

• With People Operations, recruit, hire, and retain high-quality teachers and staff.
• Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff performance in alignment with school goals. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative and professional working environment. Lead regular leadership team meetings to ensure coordination between departments.
• Design and lead professional development tailored to school and staff needs.

Academic Excellence

• Ensure all programs meet California state standards and charter requirements
• Oversee development of coherent academic pathways from 5th through 12th grade
• Support implementation of evidence-based teaching practices
• Guide instructional coaches in providing targeted support to teaching staff

Student Support

• Collaborate with the Director of Special Education to ensure appropriate services and accommodations
• Oversee school-wide MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) implementation
• Ensure smooth transitions between middle and high school divisions

School Culture & Community

• Promote a positive school culture aligned with the school's mission and values
• Foster meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners
• Represent the school at community events and with educational stakeholders

Mission Alignment

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, Making Waves Academy’s mission, core values, standards, competencies, and code of conduct outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Make sure that you follow and adhere to school systems that account for there always being a designated administrator in charge in your absence.
• Participate in the school community – attending school competitions, performances, assemblies, and extracurricular activities. Be prepared to support as an administrator in attendance for interscholastic competitions and school events.

Work Environment

• This job operates in an office and school environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.
• Some travel required for MWA related events, such as workshops or conferences.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, phone, and keyboard. Light to moderate lifting may be required. The employee will frequently walk across the campus, participate in campus supervision duty, stand and sit for long periods of time.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• MA in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field and 5+ years’ experience in educational leadership roles (preferably across middle and high school levels). Doctorate in educational leadership or related field preferred.
• Experience with California charter school regulations and requirements, with a strong understanding of supporting students from various socio-economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
• Proven experience in instructional leadership, staff development, and student discipline. Experience with student-centered, progressive educational models. Experience supervising diverse educational programs (academics, athletics, special education).
• 5+ years’ direct teaching experience in a K-12 school setting. Knowledge, experience, and alignment of efficacy approach to teaching and learning. Strong understanding of adolescent development across middle and high school years.
• Experience in developing and delivering professional development to educators, including instructional leadership. Experience supervising and evaluating faculty and staff.
• Experience with budgeting and resource management in an educational setting. Knowledge of data management systems, including those for tracking student performance and school operations.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to inspire, motivate, and lead both students and staff toward achieving academic goals. Ability to implement academic, operational, and student affairs initiatives with a clear focus on student achievement and well-being.
• Ability to manage faculty and staff performance, including setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and fostering professional growth. Ability to inspire and motivate others toward continuous improvement.
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making skills to assess student progress, teacher performance, and the success of initiatives.
• Proficiency in using data systems and educational tools (PowerSchool, Google Workspace, Parent Square, Slack, LMS, etc.). Comfortable learning and using the digital tools MWA uses, and willing to try out new technologies and work tools.
• Highly organized, goal-oriented, and focused on outcomes. Ability to meet deadlines on a tight schedule.
• Strong skills in culturally responsive leadership and fostering a positive, inclusive school climate. Commitment to equity and inclusion in educational settings.
• Ability to support school safety and student well-being initiatives, ensuring adherence to all relevant policies and protocols.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of individuals (students, parents, staff, school boards, community partners).
• Ability to collaborate and build relationships with students, faculty, staff, families, creating partnerships that support student success. Conflict resolution skills and the ability to address and mediate student, parent, and staff concerns in a constructive and professional manner.
• Professional orientation – appearance, communication, and attitude. Willingness to uphold and reinforce MWA values, policies and procedures. Ability to adapt and align on school-related initiatives.

Licenses or Certificates

• Employment eligibility will include fingerprints/Live Scan, tuberculosis (TB) screening, and other employment clearance.
• California administrative services credential

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

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