School Principal - Grades 4th - 6th

Job Description

Job Description

Crescent Academy is seeking a dynamic, instructional, and student-centered Principal for Grades 4–6 to provide strong leadership for our upper elementary school program.

Crescent Academy serves over 500 students at grade level PreK-12. We believe in the whole child approach which means that academy staff assists students and their families in bettering their outcomes by creating a college bound culture that expects and teaches strong character, academic achievement, and civic engagement.

The ideal candidate is an experienced educational leader who understands that strong instruction, high expectations, data-driven decision-making, student culture, and staff accountability are essential to improving student outcomes.

The Grades 4–6 Principal will work closely with teachers, instructional specialists, families, students, and district leadership to ensure that every student receives rigorous, standards-aligned instruction and the academic and behavioral support necessary to succeed. This leader must be highly visible, organized, collaborative, and willing to be directly engaged in the daily work of improving teaching and learning.

Essential Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Lead the instructional program for Grades 4–6 and ensure alignment with Michigan academic standards.

• Establish and communicate clear instructional expectations for teachers.

• Conduct frequent classroom observations, walkthroughs, and instructional feedback cycles.

• Monitor lesson planning, instructional delivery, student engagement, differentiation, and classroom management.

• Use student achievement data to identify areas of need and develop targeted instructional responses.

• Lead and participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), data meetings, and instructional planning.

• Ensure teachers implement small-group instruction and interventions based on student performance data.

• Support implementation of the school's HMH Reading curriculum and mathematics programming.

• Monitor implementation of intervention and MTSS practices for students requiring additional academic support.

• Work collaboratively with Reading and Math Specialists to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and targeted interventions.

• Ensure consistent use of NWEA MAP Growth and other assessment data to drive instructional decisions.

Student Achievement & Accountability

• Establish measurable academic goals for Grades 4–6.

• Monitor student progress throughout the school year and develop action plans when students are not meeting expectations.

• Analyze assessment data by grade level, classroom, student subgroup, and individual student.

• Ensure students receive timely interventions and appropriate academic support.

• Monitor student mastery of foundational reading, vocabulary, writing, mathematics, and problem-solving skills.

• Maintain a culture of high expectations in which all students are expected to grow academically.

School Culture & Student Management

• Establish a safe, structured, respectful, and academically focused school environment.

• Maintain a visible presence throughout the building, classrooms, hallways, arrival, dismissal, lunch, and transitions.

• Ensure consistent implementation of schoolwide behavior expectations and PBIS practices.

• Respond promptly and appropriately to student behavior concerns.

• Work with teachers and support staff to develop effective classroom management systems.

• Build positive relationships with students while maintaining clear boundaries and expectations.

• Monitor attendance and student engagement and implement appropriate interventions for students with attendance concerns.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Supervise, evaluate, coach, and support teachers and school-based staff.

• Establish clear expectations for professional performance, attendance, punctuality, lesson preparation, and instructional practice.

• Provide timely feedback and professional coaching.

• Identify professional development needs based on classroom observations and student data.

• Support new teachers through mentoring and structured onboarding.

• Recognize strong performance while addressing performance concerns promptly and professionally.

• Foster a collaborative staff culture centered on student achievement and continuous improvement.

Family & Community Engagement

• Develop strong, professional relationships with parents and families.

• Maintain open and timely communication regarding student academic and behavioral progress.

• Respond professionally to parent concerns and work toward solutions that support student success.

• Participate in school events, family engagement activities, and community initiatives.

• Promote Crescent Academy's mission, vision, and academic expectations within the school community.

Operations & Compliance

• Ensure the Grades 4–6 campus operates efficiently and safely each day.

• Maintain compliance with district, state, authorizer, and applicable federal requirements.

• Monitor student records, attendance, discipline documentation, and other required school documentation.

• Work collaboratively with district leadership regarding staffing, scheduling, enrollment, facilities, transportation, food service, safety, and other operational needs.

• Participate in leadership meetings and district initiatives.

• Assist with recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and retention of highly qualified staff.

Leadership Expectations

• Be highly visible and present in the school.

• Lead instruction—not simply manage operations.

• Set high academic and behavioral expectations.

• Use data to make decisions rather than relying solely on anecdotal information.

• Hold adults accountable while providing appropriate support and coaching.

• Build strong relationships with students, staff, and families.

• Address problems directly and promptly.

• Communicate clearly, professionally, and consistently.

• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Model professionalism, integrity, and a growth mindset.

• Be willing to work collaboratively with district leadership and instructional specialists.

• Maintain a relentless focus on improving outcomes for students.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.

• Valid Michigan School Administrator Certificate or eligibility for appropriate Michigan administrative certification.

• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful teaching experience .

• Demonstrated leadership experience in an elementary or middle school setting.

• Experience using student achievement data to drive instructional improvement.

• Strong understanding of curriculum, assessment, MTSS, differentiated instruction, and classroom management.

• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teachers.

• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as an assistant principal, principal, instructional coach, dean, or other school leadership role.

• Experience leading Grades 4–6 or an upper-elementary program.

• Experience with NWEA MAP Growth or comparable assessment systems.

• Experience with HMH or other high-quality literacy and mathematics curricula.

• Experience implementing PBIS and MTSS.

• Experience working in a charter school or similar educational environment.

• Demonstrated record of improving student achievement.

Company Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Medical, Vision, & Dental Plans

• Life, ADD, STD, LTD 100% paid by the employer

• Voluntary Plans Available

To learn more about Crescent Academy, please visit our website at

CS Partners/Partner Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, height, weight, or any other protected status under federal, state or local laws .