Dean of Students

Title:

Dean of Students

Location:

Chicago Illinois

Reports To:

Principal

Salary:
Starting $79,987, commensurate with experience

Employee Type:
Regular Full Time

Start Date:

August 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

The Dean of Students will work closely with the Principal to ensure that the school campus is a safe, comfortable and positive learning environment for all students to be able to reach their goals. The Dean of Students will act as a part of the leadership team to provide operational support and to handle all discipline related incidents as well as provide support and direction to teachers for classroom management interventions and strategies.

The Dean of Students will also take on multiple tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the School Principal to support school wide operations.

Responsibilities

Culture

* Be an expert at responding to the challenges presented by todays diverse student population

* Maintain a positive climate and learning atmosphere for all students so that they can achieve their academic and personal goals

* Train staff on classroom management, student- staff relationships, crisis response, and school culture strategies

* Implement, monitor and coach the community on the Distinctive Schools philosophy and model for responding to Student Code of Conduct violations

* Ensure 100% resolution of all Student Code of Conduct incidents

Leadership

* Supervise, manage, and evaluate the members of the School Culture Team to ensure training, professional development and goal setting in alignment with school goals

* Provide proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to support the students academic achievement, social and emotional development

* Lead cooperative work cooperatively with the students, staff and families towards a positive school climate

* Oversee specific teams of teachers or staff as assigned by the School Principal

* Drive coordinated response to school culture data

Administrative

* Monitor and track student attendance by following mandates and demands for notifying parents and families about absences. Assist teachers with absence tracking and parent conferences as needed to discuss attendance and tardiness concerns

* Oversee attendance data stored in school database systems to ensure accuracy

* Prepare monthly reports that categorize the total number of suspensions, discipline code violations, recidivism and percent changes. Track discipline data in all systems

* Enforce the school handbook procedures and policies including dress code guidelines

* Ensure 100% resolution of all Student Code of Conduct incidents in alignment with the DS model and necessary communication to all stakeholders for each event

* Develop and progress monitor student safety and behavior plans

Safety

* Follow all safety procedures and track/file all documents required

* Oversee the School Security officer and motivate that person to support the Principal, Dean and Team Leaders and the safety/climate of the school

Professionalism

* Maintain clear boundaries and professional demeanor with students, staff, and families when conducting/administering disciplinary consequences to students

* Complete additional duties assigned by the School Principal

Collaboration

* Problem solve with teachers on issues regarding student challenges to identify antecedents of poor behavior and develop plans for positive behavior

* Informally observe teachers on a regular basis and provide feedback on classroom management and interventions that may be needed for specific students or whole classes

* Model best practices in the classroom for classroom management strategies and tools to ensure student success and positive student teacher relationships

* Support teachers and staff to problem solve in their classroom with management plans before sending students to the office

* Collaborate daily with school site Leadership Team…