PreK-8 School Principal – Cleveland, OH

Position Type: Full Time

Start Date:

Location: Cleveland, OH, USA

https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./jobs

Ummah™ Center School (UCS) is a non-profit full-time Islamic school. We opened our doors in the fall of 2023 in Columbia Station – a small town nestled in the Southwest suburbs of Cleveland. The school is approved as a Chartered Non-Public School by the State of Ohio. We currently serve 131 students from Prek-3 through grade 8 coming from a diverse and dynamic Muslim community.

UCS Vision:

To have a safe and joyful place where students grow into young men and women who are confident, kind, think critically and never settle for average.

UCS Mission:

To nurture curious minds in an Islamic environment that fosters academic excellence, cultivates a deep understanding of Deen, and develops students’ full potential to be successful in Dunia and Akhera. Additionally, we aim to empower our students to be active citizens who participate in civil duties, promote justice and compassion among all.

The Principal at UCS creates the structures that support teacher development and working conditions to help them successfully shape students’ experiences in the classroom. UCS principal is responsible for leadership, coordination, supervision and management of the school programs, curriculum, community partnerships and operation. The principal will report to the UCS Board of Directors, and will work with the Vice Principal for Academic Affairs, administrative staff, teachers, parents, and community at large to deliver school’s vision and needs.

The Principal acts as the Muslim role model for teachers and students and plays a crucial role in nurturing students’ Islamic understanding and practice. The principal should be an actively practicing Muslim who demonstrates commitment to Islamic values in personal and professional life. Candidates will be expected to discuss their understanding of Islam and how Islamic values inform their daily conduct, leadership style, and engagement with students, staff, families and the community.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead and develop faculty and staff through clear expectations, accountability, coaching, and support.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee performance management, including evaluations, improvement plans, and recognition.
• Ensure leadership cohesion and clarity between the Principal, VP of Academic Affairs, and other school management staff.

• Oversee operations to ensure a safe, organized, and effective learning environment.
• Ensure smooth daily school operations, including facilities, safety, scheduling, staffing coordination, and logistics.
• Establish and refine systems, policies, and procedures that support consistency and scalability.

• Provide executive oversight of the academic program to ensure effective delivery, consistency, and results.
• Partner with the Vice President of Academic Affairs, teachers and with QAIS (Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies) team to ensure successful:
• Literacy and student achievement outcomes
• Compliance with academic standards and reporting requirements
• Ensure alignment between academic goals, staffing, schedules, and operational resources.
• Intervene, redirect, or escalate when academic delivery or outcomes fall below expectations.

• Ensure full compliance with Ohio Department of Education and safety / local city requirements.
• Maintain strong governance, documentation, and reporting practices across academic and operational domains.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability during audits, inspections, or regulatory reviews.
• Proactively identify risks related to academics, staffing, compliance, or operations and implement mitigation strategies.
• Provide regular performance updates to the Board, including academic progress, risks, and improvement plans.

• Serve as the senior representative of the school to parents, community leaders, partners, and donors.
• Lead communication related to school vision, expectations, performance, and…