Denver, CO Founding Principal

Denver, CO Founding Principal Denver, CO Founding Principal Commerce City, CO Job Details Full-time $130,000 a year Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Professional development assistance Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Spanish Operations management English Team development Schedule management Team management Full Job Description Who We Are We are building a school that our community deserves

• a Title I school rooted in high expectations, deep relationships, and an unwavering belief that every marginalized student can achieve at the highest levels.

Our mission is to close the opportunity gap through innovative systems, transformative leadership, and evidence-based practices. We believe in a whole child and family approach that recognizes students thrive when their academic, social, emotional, and community needs are met. We are committed to ensuring every student experiences high academic growth, develops strong character, and builds the skills needed to thrive in college, career, and community . This is not a turnaround. This is a launch . And we are looking for the visionary leader who will bring it to life. The Opportunity Founding Principal

• Full-Time
• Denver, CO The Founding Principal is a once-in-a-career opportunity to design, build, and lead a brand-new Title I school from the ground up
• one intentionally created to serve historically underserved communities with equitable, personalized learning experiences that unlock the full potential of every student.

As Founding Principal, you will partner directly with the Executive Director to shepherd a comprehensive charter school application process , engage deeply with the community, and lay the instructional and cultural foundation for a school that will eliminate barriers and create sustainable pathways to excellence . This role is for a builder

• someone who sees possibility where others see barriers, who believes that innovation and equity can coexist , and who knows that great schools are built on great relationships .

What You'll DoFound and Design the School Co-author the charter application with the Executive Director, articulating a compelling vision for academic excellence, personalized learning, and school culture Design the school's instructional model grounded in the Relational Learning (RL) Framework

• our signature approach that integrates academic rigor with character development and real-world application through competency-based progression, transversal learning, and cultural responsiveness Develop the school's culture blueprint
• values, norms, rituals, and systems that foster belonging, agency, character, and joy Build the master schedule, staffing plan, and operational structures from scratch, ensuring every element is aligned to student outcomes Design a comprehensive advisory program that gives every student a trusted adult advocate, builds social-emotional skills, and creates a consistent space for mentorship, goal-setting, and reflection Champion Personalized Learning Build an instructional system where every student has a personalized learning plan informed by data, student interest, and developmental needs Implement competency-based progression•students advance based on mastery, not seat time•supported by blended and adaptive learning tools Leverage proprietary tools including AI-powered curriculum design and custom learning management systems to support personalized pathways and robust data tracking based on student interest Ensure teachers /learning coaches are trained and supported to differentiate instruction through small-group rotations, student conferences, and real-time data analysis Create structures for student autonomy and metacognition•empowering learners to set goals, track their own progress, and take ownership of their academic journey Develop Character and the Whole Student Design and implement a character integration framework woven into every aspect of the school day•every unit develops specific character traits alongside academic skills, not as an add-on but as the foundation of how students learn to lead, persist, and contribute Build a robust enrichment program that exposes students to experiences beyond the traditional classroom•arts, athletics, STEM exploration, community service, leadership development, and career exposure•creating sustainable pathways to college, career, and community Create an advisory and schools structures where students build lasting relationships with peers and adults, develop social-emotional competencies, and practice the habits of character that prepare them for high school and beyond Ensure students have regular opportunities to demonstrate leadership, voice, and purpose through student government, exhibitions, community partnerships, and real-world projects Honor students' identities and experiences through culturally responsive curriculum that reflects the communities we serve Engage and Empower the Community Lead authentic community engagement•listening sessions, town halls, family partnerships•to co-create a school that reflects the aspirations of the families it serves Build trust with neighborhood leaders, organizations, and stakeholders and weave community voice into every aspect of the school design Serve as the public face of the school during the application and pre-opening phases Develop enrichment and advisory partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and cultural institutions to extend learning opportunities for students Champion and promote the school's program across the community•generating excitement, building awareness, and cultivating student and family interest through presentations, open houses, neighborhood events, and grassroots outreach Partner with the Executive Director on enrollment strategy and marketing•ensuring families understand the school's unique value and feel welcomed and inspired to join the founding community Drive Academic Excellence Establish clear, rigorous expectations for planning, instruction, and assessment aligned to a student-centered instructional framework Design data-driven instructional cycles that ensure teachers continuously improve and students consistently grow Guarantee equitable access to grade-level content with targeted scaffolds, interventions, and enrichment for all learners•including multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and gifted students Build on a proven success model•drawing from frameworks and systems built and refined in real Title I schools serving marginalized students, and adapting those practices with fidelity and intentionality Build Culture with Intention Create predictable, positive, and restorative systems for behavior, recognition, and accountability Foster a school environment where student voice, leadership, and identity are celebrated daily Ensure consistency across every classroom and common space so that culture is something students feel , not just something adults enforce Embed and model character virtues and community values into daily routines, school traditions, and the language of the building Adopt a whole child and family approach•partnering with families and community organizations to address students' academic, social, emotional, and community needs Recruit and Develop a Founding Team Recruit, hire, and onboard a founding staff who share the mission and bring diverse strengths Provide consistent coaching, feedback, and professional development tied to instructional and cultural expectations Build a team culture of high accountability, mutual support, and continuous learning Ensure all staff are equipped to deliver personalized instruction, lead advisory, and facilitate enrichment experiences Manage Resources and Operations Collaborate with the Executive Director on budgeting, procurement, and resource allocation to ensure every dollar serves students Oversee facility readiness, technology systems, enrollment logistics , and all pre-opening operational milestones Communicate clearly and consistently with families, authorizers, and partners throughout the application and launch process Who You Are You are a mission-driven leader who believes that ZIP codes should never determine a child's destiny.

You have 5-10+ years of experience in education , with significant time leading in diverse, Title I, and historically underserved communities You have a proven track record of driving high academic growth for marginalized students while simultaneously building a school culture where students thrive You bring deep experience with culturally responsive leadership and know how to build bridges across communities You have designed or led personalized, competency-based learning environments, advisory programs, and enrichment systems that develop the whole child You have led or significantly contributed to school design, charter applications, or school start-up processes (strongly preferred) You have a track record of building on proven success models

• studying what works and implementing with fidelity and adaptation You are an exceptional communicator and relationship builder
• equally comfortable in a boardroom, a living room, or a classroom You hold a Master's degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field (required) You hold or are eligible for a Colorado Principal License or equivalent administrative credential Bilingual skills (Spanish/English) are highly valued You are energized
• not intimidated
• by the challenge of building something new What We Offer The chance to design a school from day one
• your fingerprints will be on everything A true thought partner in the Executive Director and a committed founding board Competitive salary commensurate with experience A community that is ready and eager for a school that sees their children the way they do
• as brilliant, capable, and deserving of the best

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance Application Question(s): Please describe your connection to the Northeast Denver/Aurora/Adams 14 community in Colorado with students your new school would serve. Please describe why you want to open your new school, as opposed to working in leadership at an existing school or organization. Significant experience managing people is required for this position. Please describe your past experiences with developing and evaluating employees.

Experience:

Education :

5 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person