Associate Director - Student Services

Associate Director of Student Services

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, we hold adults 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.

Student Services Strategy & Network-Wide Systems

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of network-wide student services systems, policies, and procedures to ensure consistency across all schools.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Student Support Services to establish strategic priorities, performance goals, and accountability measures for student services.
• Develop and maintain standardized systems for monitoring special education compliance, IEP case management, and MTSS programming.
• Analyze student services data to identify trends, evaluate effectiveness, and develop action plans to strengthen school-level practices and student outcomes.
• Establish network-wide protocols, templates, and resources to support consistent implementation of student services practices.
• Collaborate with school and network leadership to ensure student services priorities align with broader organizational goals.

Special Education Compliance & Accountability

• Oversee network-wide special education compliance systems to ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
• Establish and monitor systems for auditing special education files, IEP documentation, service delivery, billing, and other compliance requirements.
• Analyze compliance data to identify risks, address gaps, and develop corrective action plans.
• Monitor school-level implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 Plans, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• Partner with school leaders to proactively resolve compliance concerns and strengthen systems that prevent recurring issues.
• Maintain current knowledge of special education laws, Committee on Special Education (CSE) requirements, and evolving policies to ensure network-wide compliance.

School Leadership Development & Capacity Building

• Provide coaching and development to Principals and Assistant Principals of Student Services to strengthen leadership and execution of student services practices.
• Partner with Principals to establish clear expectations and accountability measures for school-based student services teams.
• Design and facilitate professional development aligned with network-wide priorities, compliance requirements, and identified areas of need.
• Conduct regular school visits to assess implementation, identify strong practices, and provide targeted support.
• Build the capacity of school-based leaders to independently manage student services systems, resolve challenges, and drive continuous improvement.
• Identify effective school-level practices and develop opportunities to replicate successful systems across the network.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Student Support

• Partner with school leadership and network teams to address complex student services challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Collaborate with Academic, Operations, and school-based teams to ensure student services systems support student achievement and access to high-quality instruction.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with the Committee on Special Education (CSE), external service providers, and community organizations to support student needs.
• Provide guidance to school leaders on escalated compliance concerns, complex student services matters, and family-related issues.
• Strengthen systems for connecting students and families with appropriate community resources and support services.
• Support the Managing Director of Student Support Services with strategic…