SY Principal-In-Residence

At KIPP Chicago, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission:
Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our campuses are located in the Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. KIPP Chicago also advises over 2000 KIPP alumni currently in high school or college through our KIPP Forward program.

About KIPP Public Schools

KIPP Chicago partners with the KIPP Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports schools across the country. KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are currently a network of 278 schools, nearly 15,000 educators, and 175,000 students and alumni.

When you teach at KIPP, you’re part of a national network that partners with families and communities to create nurturing, rigorous, and joyful schools in pursuit of a more just world.

Program Overview

The Principal in Residence (PIR) program is a two-year residency that prepares rising leaders to become a successor leader at an existing KIPP Chicago school. The residency combines on-the-job learning, professional development, and mentorship and coaching opportunities to prepare participants to create and lead excellent schools. Principals-in-Residence (PIR) are full-time members of their residency school leadership teams and will have daily opportunities to practice the skills and competencies required to lead high-performing schools.

A Principal-in
- Residence (PIR) is an aspiring principal preparing to lead a KIPP Chicago school in 1-2 years. PIRs are committed to and actively contribute to the success of their placement school and KIPP Chicago’s ability to achieve our mission: together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

As a Principal in Residence, leaders will:

Act as a member of the school leadership team and gradually transition to school leadership responsibilities:
The PIR’s role mirrors that of an assistant principal for the majority of the development program, namely: coaching and developing teachers, teacher leaders and deans and contributing to the overall academic and cultural vision of the school. Towards the end of their time as a PIR, the role mirrors more of a school leader, with clear responsibilities fully owned by the PIR at the school level.

Actively develop School Leader leadership skills & competencies:
In addition to their school-based performance goals, PIRs regularly engage in on-the-job opportunities to develop the leadership skills and competencies needed to thrive as school leaders, outlined in a development plan.

Benefit from on-the-job mentorship: PIRs are supported in their development by a mentor school leader who acts as the coach and model for exceptional school leadership.

Receive ongoing one-on-one coaching: PIRs also receive regular coaching from their regional Director of Leadership Development to support them in developing the mindsets and dispositions of highly effective leaders.

Readiness Checkpoints:
Readiness checkpoints provide an opportunity for the PIR and support team to reflect on progress towards becoming a school leader.

Formal Professional Development: PIRs will receive formal professional development aligned to Chicago’s leadership…