Founding High School Principal

Atlanta Academy is seeking a dynamic, visionary, and student-centered leader to serve as the Founding Principal of our high school and help lead the next chapter of our school’s growth. This position will report directly to the Head of School.

Building on Atlanta Academy’s established model of individualized learning, meaningful relationships, academic excellence, and a deeply connected community, the Founding Principal will lead the thoughtful extension of that experience into grades 9–12.

Reporting to and working closely with the Head of School, the Founding Principal will help shape a forward-thinking, college-preparatory high school that reflects Atlanta Academy’s mission while reimagining what the high school experience can be.

We are looking for more than an academic administrator. The ideal candidate is an educational leader, community builder, innovator, and visionary who connects naturally with students, earns families' trust, inspires faculty, and turns bold ideas into meaningful student experiences.

The Founding Principal will lead academics, student life, faculty development, college preparation, community engagement, and the continued development of the high school model—all while preparing students to thrive in college and beyond.

• Partner closely with the Head of School to develop and advance the vision for an innovative, individualized, college-preparatory high school.

• Extend Atlanta Academy’s relationship-driven model into grades 9–12 while bringing fresh ideas to the high school experience.

• Shape the programs, staffing, schedules, systems, traditions, and structures needed to launch and grow the high school.

• Identify new opportunities that strengthen student learning, leadership, and future readiness.

• Oversee high school operations, budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and policies.

• Lead a rigorous college-preparatory academic program that challenges students and supports individual strengths, interests, and goals.

• Develop an engaging curriculum that integrates interdisciplinary learning, STEM, creative arts, project-based learning, technology, and real-world application.

• Ensure students build the critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, independence, and self-advocacy skills needed for college and beyond.

• Inspire faculty to think beyond traditional classroom models and create meaningful, authentic learning experiences.

• Use data, research, and student outcomes to strengthen instruction, differentiation, and advanced learning opportunities.

• Build a strong college-preparatory culture that helps students discover their strengths, explore interests, and work intentionally toward future goals.

• Ensure students are academically and personally prepared to pursue admission to colleges and universities that match their aspirations and potential.

• Implement an exceptional college counseling and advising program that provides individualized guidance to students and families.

• Create opportunities for students to stand out through academics, leadership, research, service, internships, entrepreneurship, and creative work.

• Build partnerships with colleges, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to provide internships, mentorships, dual enrollment, capstones, and other real-world experiences.

• Stay current on college admissions trends and ensure students are well positioned for success.

• Be a visible and engaged leader who connects with students and creates a culture where they feel known, valued, challenged, and supported.

• Set high expectations for character, academic engagement, responsibility, leadership, and citizenship.

• Create meaningful opportunities for student voice, choice, leadership, and ownership.

• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional educators who are passionate about students and excited to build something new.

• Foster a collaborative faculty culture that values creativity, professional growth, and shared responsibility for student success.

• Build strong, trusted relationships with families and communicate clearly…