Director of High School Academics

The mission of Neighborhood Charter Schools is to empower every scholar to discover their unique potential and develop the knowledge, character, and courage to shape a better future for themselves, their communities, and the world. Through an exceptional, rigorous, and inclusive K-12 education, we cultivate scholars who lead with LIGHT, equipping them to think critically, embrace lifelong learning, and lead with purpose.

We foster a community where every scholar, including autistic children and scholars with IEPs, belongs, every difference is celebrated, and every learner is empowered to thrive. Every Learner. Every Pathway. Every Chance to Thrive.

NCS is launching its first high school, and the Director of High School Academics will build its academic program from the ground up. This is a founding role: in partnership with the Chief Academic & Schools Officer, you will set the instructional vision for grades 9-12 and build the curriculum, assessment, and coaching systems that carry it as the school grows one grade at a time.

The Director reports to the Chief Academic and Schools Officer (CASO) and works closely with the High School Principal and Assistant Principals, the K-8 Academic Team, and the MD of Student Support Services. Once the high school reaches 11th grade, the Director will manage two Assistant Directors (STEM and Humanities).

• Set the instructional vision for grades 9-12, grounded in NCS's commitment to inclusion as instructional design, not accommodation
• Assist in the design of the high school course sequence and graduation pathway in line with New York State diploma requirements, including credit accrual, course offerings, and pathways to advanced and college-level coursework
• Partner with the High School Principal to align on roles, campus-specific execution, and the master schedule
• Partner with the K-8 Academic Team to build vertical alignment across grades 8 and 9. During SY 26-27, support Grades 5-8 teaching and learning

• Select, adapt, and, where needed, write high school curriculum and scope and sequences across all core content areas
• Manage curriculum partners and writers
• Ensure curriculum is implemented with fidelity and that teachers have the resources they need
• Evaluate instructional materials in collaboration with school leadership
• Ensure curriculum is accessible to students with disabilities, including autistic students, and to multilingual learners

• Own the high school assessment strategy, from interim and in-house exams to state assessments
• Track and adapt to New York's evolving graduation and assessment requirements, including changes to the Regents exams
• Build systems for monitoring student progress toward graduation, including credits, course passing, and on-track indicators
• Lead teachers and leaders in using data to drive instructional decisions

• Observe classrooms and give actionable feedback to teachers
• Lead grade-level and department meetings focused on lesson planning, intellectual preparation, and student work analysis
• Coach Assistant Principals on content- and curriculum-focused instructional leadership
• Lead the codification of high school grading, credit, and transcript policies

• Build academic pathways that prepare every student for college and career, including advanced coursework and dual enrollment options
• Partner with Student Support Services on transition planning for students with IEPs

• Participate in hiring founding high school teachers
• Hire, onboard, and manage the STEM and Humanities Assistant Directors as the school expands to 11th grade
• Serve as a key member of the network academic team and the high school leadership team
• Other responsibilities as determined by the CASO

• A committed leader aligned with the mission of NCS and its inclusive model
• A builder who is energized by launching something new and is comfortable with ambiguity in a school's founding years
• A collaborative professional who works flexibly within a diverse team of teachers and leaders
• A graduate of a Bachelor's degree program (required); NY State SBL/SDL certification (preferred);
  Master's degree (preferred)
• An experienced high school teacher with 5+ years of teaching experience and 2+ years of instructional coaching or leadership experience (preferred)
• Experience as a department chair,…