Cincinnati - Principal JobID: 43854 Position Type: Administration/Principal
Date Posted: 2/6/2026 Location: Accel Schools District: Accel Schools
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ACCEL Schools is expanding in the Cincinnati region and searching for a dynamic, visionary Principal to lead the launch of one of our newest schools. This is an extraordinary opportunity to build a high-performing academic community from the ground up and make a powerful, lasting impact on students and families. As Principal, you will serve as the instructional and operational force behind the ACCEL Schools campus-shaping the academic vision, accelerating student growth, and ensuring excellence in day-to-day operations.
We are looking for an inspiring and driven school leader-someone who brings passion, purpose, and a relentless commitment to creating rigorous, supportive, and innovative learning environments where every student can thrive.
Responsibilities:
Instructional Leadership
• Leading the strategic instructional design and practice, including: • Implementing an integrated curriculum • Directing instructional coaching and evaluation • Systematic use of assessment data to guide instruction • Maximizing impact of the blended learning model (where available)
• Developing, implementing, and leading the instructional programs of the school, assessing curriculum, pedagogy, lesson plans, and observing classes (teaching and learning) on a frequent and structured basis to encourage the use of a variety of instructional strategies and materials consistent with research on the best practices for student learning and development.
• Delivering consistently high levels of achievement and learning for all students through rigorous and engaging programs and classroom instruction.
• Relentlessly working to meet all goals related to student achievement and school culture as well as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals.
• Facilitating the implementation of a standards-based curriculum, reviewing lesson plans weekly, and conducting frequent walk-throughs/teacher debriefs.
• Assuming responsibility for student achievement as related to academics and social-emotional wellbeing.
• Serving as the instructional leader in the building by facilitating a growth-focused professional environment.
• Developing and/or modifying the schools cultural programming and school-wide PBIS process with an emphasis on appropriate class conduct and behavior.
• Working with staff to plan and coordinate teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, data days, etc.
• Developing and implementing consistent professional development for teachers, ensuring regular instructional training is consistent with the latest research-based methodologies.
• Implementing behavior management practices that ensure consistent norms of orderly, respectful behavior, motivating students through strong relationships with their teachers and positive reinforcement.
• Facilitating and directing the Charter Schools Special Education program and ensuring program participants are achieving at high levels.
• Coordinating all phases of summer educational opportunities and before/after school programs as applicable.
Team Leadership
• Establishing a strong school community culture by maintaining positive, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationships with faculty, staff, parents, students, and all other school stakeholders.
• Skillful and collaborative leadership of all teachers, staff, and school leaders, including supervision, coaching, and performance management oversight.
• Leading the Charter Schools teacher evaluation program and ensuring all teachers have opportunities to meet their professional goals and are expertly executing ACCEL Schools instructional best practices.
• Evaluating teachers as per the State Ohio teacher Evaluation System (OTES).
• Overseeing the Charter Schools professional development program ensuring a strong, collaborative professional community, regular training opportunities, and a meaningful summer experience.
• Creating a student support system that addresses students academic and behavioral needs holistically and involves parents, teachers, and all relevant staff.
Organizational Leadership
• Managing the schools daily operations, including: • Facilities management • Information/instructional technologies • Food services • Student data management systems • Academic assessment tools • Office management • Budget and fiscal controls • Student recruitment and retention
• With support from the Home Office/Operations Team, exercising full engagement on compliance, budget, procurement, student data, academic assessments, and campus safety.
• Cooperating with the back-office service provider where necessary to meet all school administrative activities.
• Making recommendations for improvement as necessary.
• Partnering with Human Resources to execute a highly effective talent management system of recruiting, selecting, hiring, retaining, recognizing, and supporting all school site staff.
• Ensuring non-discrimination practices in the selection process of faculty and staff by adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
• Collaborating with the Home Office/Operations Team on the review and reporting requirements of the State, charter authorizing agency, and Federal regulatory agencies, school sponsor, including the charter renewal process.
• With support from the operations team, overseeing maintenance of school census data, attendance data, and other reporting requirements as mandated by the state or school sponsor.
• With support from the operations team, implementing the national school lunch program, transportation, audits, student application distribution, collection, approval, and verifications as applicable.
• Completing all accountability reports and overseeing all student enrollment reports to the state; ensuring compliance in all areas.
• Managing student recruitment and retention and achieving goals of retaining 85% of students annually.
• Understanding and addressing all compliance items as they relate to the schools Sponsor Agreement.
• Maintaining a master school calendar to be posted for all stakeholders in all appropriate mediums (i.e., website, social media, student/parent guide, employee handbook).
• Working with the Home Office staff to ensure all marketing and communications tools are up-to-date and active.
• Engaging in regular communications with the Home Office/Operations Team about the needs, successes, and general operation of the school.
• Maintaining open and ongoing daily and/or weekly meetings with the Regional Vice President.
• Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all students and colleagues.
• Assisting with updating parent and student manuals, policies, and handbooks.
Community Leadership
• Acting as the Charter Schools point person to the local community, effectively communicating the schools mission and vision and soliciting input from parents and families about school performance, areas for improvement, and their needs.
• Understanding, accepting, abiding by, and implementing the schools philosophy and mission statement in all school activities.
• Contributing to a positive climate and culture by exhibiting high professional standards.
• Engaging and building strong professional relationships with parents, characterized by timely and regular communication, involving parents wherever possible in the life of the school.
• Cultivating partnerships with external organizations that enrich the culture of the school, as well as strong working relationships with other local districts and charter authorizers.
• Planning and conducting student and family orientations.
• Coordinating special projects, such as peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement.
• Conducting home visits as needed.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Attributes:
• Passion for improving educational opportunities for all students and for building a strong, highly effective organization aligned to this mission.
• Demonstrated experience raising student achievement among a diverse group of learners, including low-income students, non-native English speakers, students of color, and other traditionally underserved populations.
• Knowledge of/experience with innovative school designs and instructional models, including those featuring 21st Century learning strategies like blended, inquiry, problem/project-based, and personalized learning.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong, experienced manager with excellent leadership and team-building skills.
• Ability to translate critical feedback into effective outcomes.
• Leads with grit, perseverance, and a "can-do" positive attitude.
• Ability to productively organize, communicate, and disseminate policies, strategies, and tasks.
• Familiarity with the developmental, behavioral, social, and academic needs of students in the academic years.
Education and Experience:
• Bachelors degree in Education or related discipline required; an advanced degree in education/educational leadership strongly preferred.
• Current valid Principal license.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a full-time teaching role.
• Two or more years of experience in successful school administration/instructional leadership in an urban setting.
• Demonstrated skill in developing and maintaining a rigorous academic program that meets the needs of all scholars.
• Experience in public education accountability, compliance, and related legal requirements.
• Experience in coaching teachers to improve their instructional planning, instructional practice, and classroom culture.
• Knowledge of State Standards and Common Core Standards.
• Successful completion of federal and state criminal background checks.
• Ability to meet educational standards as applicable.
• Ability to work well under pressure as well as effectively prioritize and execute tasks to meet deadlines consistently.
• Understanding of and ability to manage confidential information.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills.
About Us:
"We believe that every child should be able to be anything they want in life, regardless of their birthplace and circumstances." - Ron Packard, CEO & Founder
ACCEL Schools is a network of 80+ high-performing, public charter schools serving PK-12 students. We proudly advocate for school choice and work to address educational inequities throughout the United States. Our schools are inclusive and widely differ to reflect the unique values of the many urban, suburban, and rural communities we serve. Our brick-and-mortar, virtual, and hybrid schools specialize in closing educational gaps and offer innovative models such as career-technical education, sports training, bilingual programming, and more. We have been recognized and praised by legislators, authorizers, and researchers for providing exceptional education options to students in historically under-resourced communities.
We offer the following benefits:
• Life benefits - time & peace of mind • Paid time off • Retirement contributions • Optional Basic Life and AD&D insurance • Voluntary life insurance (employee, spouse, child) • Discounted childcare at Early Learning Academies locations • Health benefits - stay well & thrive • Medical, dental, and vision insurance • Employee Assistance Program • Voluntary short-term disability insurance • Voluntary long-term disability insurance
Career benefits - keep growing:
• Career advancement opportunities throughout Accel Schools and our strong network of 4,000+ instructors and education professionals
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: