High School Principal - Founding Principal

Founding High School Principal

John Rex Charter High School (Opening Fall 2027)

Reports to:

Chief Academic Officer

Who We Are

John Rex Charter Schools is a dynamic, community-embedded public charter school located in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. We leverage downtown partnerships, collaborative learning environments, and our belief in the whole child to create an innovative educational experience that elevates every learner.

Our "John Rex Way" is rooted in deeply held beliefs:

Belonging and community:

We believe learning begins with belonging; in classrooms, in community, and in relationships.

People and excellence:

We believe our people are our greatest strength and through collaboration, clarity, and growth, we elevate our collective impact.

Learning and growth:

We believe every student can achieve at high levels when learning is engaging, challenging, and student-centered.

Joy and purpose:

We believe joy is essential to learning as it fuels curiosity, connection, and pride in our work.

Our core values - Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance - guide our academic and cultural approach. They come to life through project-based and cooperative learning, joyful classrooms, strong community partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to each student's potential.

Who You Are

You are an innovative and courageous school leader ready to build something exceptional. You believe deeply in the potential of every student and in the power of a diverse, urban community to enrich learning.

You are someone who:

Thrives in the work of founding a school, building systems from the ground up, and turning vision into reality.

Leads with a strong sense of purpose, clarity, collaboration, and humility.

Understands the complexity and nuance of running a high school - from instruction to culture, from teacher development to student support.

Believes in project-based learning, cooperative learning, and instructional models that promote deep engagement and real-world relevance.

Gets energized by innovation and sees the downtown environment as an opportunity to expand learning beyond the classroom.

Builds strong relationships with staff, families, students, and community partners.

Uses data, reflection, coaching, and feedback to grow people and improve systems.

Can manage a complex campus with confidence while staying connected to the daily work of teaching and learning.

What You'll Do

The Founding High School Principal will spend the  school year preparing for the launch of John Rex Charter High School, collaborating closely with the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Athletic Director, and community partners. Beginning Fall 2027, the principal will lead the successful opening and ongoing operation of the school, serving as the primary instructional, cultural, and operational leader. You will design systems, build teams, shape culture, and create the conditions for a joyful, rigorous, and relevant high school experience that leverages the downtown OKC community.

Core Responsibilities

Founding/Preparation Year Responsibilities )

Vision, Planning & School Design

Collaborate with the CAO to co-design the instructional model, school culture framework, student support systems, and master schedule.

Contribute to the creation of a PK-12 aligned academic pathway for the John Rex network.

Lead the development of school-wide expectations, rituals, and culture systems.

Talent Development & Hiring

Recruit, select, and hire the founding teaching and support staff.

Design and deliver staff onboarding aligned to the John Rex Way and academic vision.

Academic & Program Development

Support the creation and implementation of curriculum, assessment systems, advisory programming, and project-based learning structures.

Partner with the CAO to ensure instructional systems are aligned and ready by Year 1.

Community, Partnerships & Enrollment

Build relationships with downtown organizations to support internships, experiential learning, career pathways, and student opportunities.

Collaborate on student recruitment, family engagement, and community events.

Athletics & Student Life

Work with the Athletic Director to prepare for the launch of high school athletics and extracurricular programs.

Operations & Readiness

Collaborate with the COO on facilities, safety planning, technology, schedules, staffing, and operational systems for opening day.

School Opening Year and Beyond (Fall 2027 and Beyond)

Instructional Leadership

Observe classrooms regularly, provide coaching and feedback, and ensure high-quality instruction in every room.

Lead data-driven instruction cycles, PLCs, and professional learning.

Ensure the school implements rigorous, relevant, and student-centered learning experiences grounded in project-based and cooperative learning.

Culture & Student Experience

Build and maintain a strong, joyful, inclusive school culture.

Oversee student supports, discipline systems, intervention structures, and attendance systems.

Ensure that downtown partnerships enrich the student experience through…