SY Principal

Position: SY 26 - 27 Principal
About Ascend

Ascend is Brooklyn's premier K-12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures-not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.

Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students' brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.

At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.

Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.

To learn more about Ascend, visit our website: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

About the Role

We seek school leaders dedicated to instructional excellence, teacher development, and school-wide impact. As an Ascend Principal, you will create pathways to success, lead high-performing schools, and develop future leaders. The ideal Principal:

* Drives school-wide impact by leading the school community toward academic excellence, closing achievement gaps, and fostering educational equity for every student.

* Develops and executes a bold vision for student success, inspiring and motivating staff, students, and families to engage in the pursuit of excellence and personal growth.

* Builds and nurtures high-performing teams, mentoring emerging leaders and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high achievement where all members thrive.

Responsibilities

Visionary Leadership & Strategy Execution

* Develop and implement a bold, forward-thinking strategy that ensures sustained academic excellence and continuous school improvement.

* Establish an ambitious, student-centered vision and goals aligned with Ascend's network priorities, driving student mastery of rigorous academic content that prepares them for boundless choice and lifelong success.

* Strategically allocate time, talent, and resources to achieve or exceed annual targets and advance key organizational initiatives.

* Strengthen leadership and teacher expertise in standards-aligned instructional design, ensuring every classroom delivers high-quality, culturally responsive teaching and learning.

* Develop and train teachers and school leaders to analyze student data, identify learning gaps, and implement targeted, high-impact instructional strategies. Collaborate in content and grade-level teams to refine and enhance instructional practices using data-driven insights.

Instructional Leadership

* Implement a comprehensive, student-centered strategy that supports the academic, social, and emotional development of students, staff, and families, ensuring a holistic approach to student success.

* Take complete ownership of student outcomes, demonstrating the ability to drive academic growth through high expectations, rigorous instruction, and targeted support.

* Enhance instructional expertise by leading professional development, coaching educators, and fostering collaboration to strengthen teaching practices and student learning.

* Use data to assess student progress, identify learning gaps, and implement interventions that ensure all students reach and exceed rigorous academic benchmarks.

* Oversee the design and execution of a rigorous, engaging curriculum that integrates academic excellence, character development, and student agency, preparing students for boundless choice.

* Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of instructional and operational systems, ensuring alignment with Ascend's mission and adaptability to support student success.

Team Development and Leadership

* Coach and develop the leadership team to take full ownership of school-wide results, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.

* Set the standard for a joyful, rigorous, and inclusive school culture, where high expectations empower both educators and students to thrive.

* Provide targeted, actionable support:

* Observe, coach, and develop Assistant Principals to ensure they provide teachers with impactful, actionable feedback that strengthens instructional effectiveness.

* Lead high-quality professional development that directly addresses student learning gaps and drives meaningful academic gains.

* Ensure alignment with key network priorities by equipping school teams to make data-informed decisions that advance academics, school culture, and student success.

School Culture Leadership

* Cultivate a school-wide culture that empowers students and families with the knowledge and resources to navigate their academic journeys and future…