Academic Principal; High School

Academic Principal

The Academic Principal executes the High School Principal's instructional vision and supports day-to-day operations at Alexandria City High School (ACHS). This role centers on instructional coaching, teacher evaluation, High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) implementation, and department supervision. The Academic Principal partners with the Deans, who lead student behavior and formal discipline, and with Academy Leads on academy programming. Together, the Academic Principal and Deans form the campus leadership team under the Campus Principal.

This is a 12-month, 240-day Administrator position, reporting to the Campus Principals.

Organizational Structure:
High School Principal → Campus Principal → Academic Principal and Deans

Location:

ACHS King Street and Minnie Howard Campuses

Qualifications:

• Education:
  
  A Master's degree from an Accredited College or University in a Related Field Required, A Doctorate Degree Preferred.
• Certificates & Licenses: A Valid Virginia Department of Education Teaching Post Graduate License, with the add-on endorsement in Administration & Supervision PreK-12. Candidates must have an "Active Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) license with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision, or eligible to submit and complete VDOE licensure application for an Administration and Supervision endorsement upon hire. Please note that the Administration & Supervision endorsement is not a stand alone endorsement.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum five years of grades 9–12 school division experience demonstrating the competencies below.

Key

Competencies:

• Student-Centered: Believes all students can flourish regardless of background or pathway
• Equity & Cultural Competency: Builds inclusive environments that honor diverse backgrounds; committed to equity in a diverse school community
• Instructional Coaching: Delivers high-quality coaching through frequent observations and actionable feedback that improves teacher practice
• Teacher Evaluation: Conducts formal and informal evaluations using established frameworks; uses results to support growth and inform personnel decisions
• HQIM: Supports teachers in implementing adopted instructional materials with fidelity across all content areas
• Curriculum & Assessment: Translates academic standards and assessment expectations into instructional plans; monitors curriculum implementation
• Department Supervision: Supervises and develops department chairs to ensure alignment with school-wide instructional priorities
• Data Analysis, ILTs & PLCs: Facilitates department-level ILTs and PLCs; uses data to monitor progress, identify gaps, and drive instructional decisions
• Student Support Coordination: Partners with Deans and the School Support Team to connect behavior intervention to instructional support
• Recruitment & Hiring: Identifies and attracts high-quality, diverse candidates aligned to the school's instructional vision
• Master Schedule & Program of Studies: Supports the Director of Counseling in developing the master schedule and annual Program of Studies, ensuring alignment with student pathways, graduation requirements, and academy structure
• Relationship Building: Cultivates productive relationships with students, staff, families, Academy Leads, and campus leadership peers
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

Instructional Leadership

• Executes the High School Principal's instructional vision; supports teachers in translating school-wide goals into classroom practice
• Conducts frequent classroom observations with actionable feedback and accountability for follow-through
• Conducts formal and informal teacher evaluations per ACPS frameworks; uses results to guide professional development plans and personnel recommendations
• Champions HQIM implementation across all content areas; coaches teachers on fidelity and differentiation for diverse learners
• Supervises department chairs through coaching, goal setting, and feedback tied to teacher growth and student outcomes
• Monitors and facilitates department-level ILTs and PLCs to ensure purposeful, data-driven collaboration aligned to school improvement goals
• Designs or coordinates professional…