Assistant Superintendent Secondary Education

Overview

Position:
Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education

Reports to:

Superintendent of Schools

Overview of Cambridge Public Schools:
Cambridge is a vibrant, diverse city as well as a central hub of the nation’s innovative economy. Educating approximately 7,000 students preK–12+, the Cambridge Public Schools consists of diverse and dedicated faculty, cutting-edge technology and innovative programs. While each of the CPS school communities is unique, they are joined in a shared vision of rigorous, joyful and culturally responsive learning.

Over 30% of CPS students speak a language other than English at home, and more than 70 languages are represented across the district. Our schools proudly embrace this linguistic and cultural diversity while striving to establish high expectations for all students.

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education provides senior-level leadership and oversight for all academic, instructional and school-culture outcomes across Cambridge’s secondary portfolio, including the Upper Schools (Grades 6–8), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS), which includes the CPS High School Extension Program (HSEP), and the Rindge School of Technical Arts (RSTA) within CRLS.

As a key member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, the Assistant Superintendent serves as the primary supervisor and coach for secondary principals, ensuring that every school provides an equitable, rigorous, and supportive learning experience for all students. This leader drives school improvement efforts, aligns secondary systems with the district’s strategic plan, and fosters strong partnerships with families, staff, and community stakeholders.

The Assistant Superintendent plays a central role in advancing CPS’s commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging, and leads with a focus on student engagement, strong instruction, and responsive school cultures.

Strategic Leadership & Alignment

• Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to secondary principals with an emphasis on instructional quality, student engagement, family partnerships and standards implementation.
• Lead the development and implementation of processes that advance academic excellence, school culture, and equitable student outcomes across all secondary schools.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of School Improvement Plans (SIPs), ensuring alignment with the district’s strategic plan and priorities.
• Partner with senior district leaders to support the Superintendent in achieving district wide goals and managing cross-functional initiatives.

Instructional Leadership & School Improvement

• Guide the development and implementation of effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices across Grades 6–12.
• Establish and monitor strong routines of data analysis to assess progress, identify disparities, and inform instructional and operational decisions.
• Ensure the strategic use of school-based resources to meet instructional needs and advocate for adequate supports at the system level.
• Support the engagement and growth of school leadership teams in developing, implementing, and monitoring goals tied to student outcomes.

Talent Management & Leadership Development

• Recommend for hire, supervise, evaluate, and develop secondary principals and other direct reports.
• Lead the district’s hiring processes for secondary school leader vacancies.
• Oversee and support district-level directors working in instructional, student support, and school-improvement roles connected to secondary schools.
• Provide professional learning for principals to strengthen leadership practice, instructional expertise, and capacity to lead equitable school communities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build strong relationships with families, staff, students, and community partners to ensure transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving.
• Represent the Superintendent and CPS in civic, state, higher-education, and community forums and partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance school and district priorities.
• Address and facilitate timely and effective solutions to…