Academic Coordinator SY '26-27

Academic Coordinator

Role commences August 2026

Location: Boston, MA Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt Reports To: Site Leader

About Tenacity

Since 1999, Tenacity has empowered more than 45,000 Massachusetts youth to graduate from high school and achieve post-secondary success through academic enrichment, racket sports, fitness, and life skills development. We provide year-round programs in Boston, Worcester, and Chelsea that build literacy, critical thinking, and healthy habits while fostering supportive relationships between students and staff.

Tenacity students consistently exceed local graduation and college completion rates—95% graduate from high school, and 75% pursue or complete post-secondary education, compared to 79% and 38% citywide, respectively. Recognized as a leader in in-school, after-school, and summer learning, Tenacity equips young people with the academic, social, and physical foundation to thrive both on and off the court.

Job Summary

The ACE Academy Academic Coordinator supports the successful recruitment, engagement, and retention of middle school students participating in Tenacity's after-school and summer programs. Under the leadership of the Site Leader, this role plays a key part in delivering high-quality academic, literacy, fitness, and family engagement programming designed to foster students' personal, social, and academic growth.

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for leading all academic programming at an Ace Academy site, ensuring high-quality, equity-centered instruction and strong student outcomes. This role oversees the implementation of Tenacity's academic curriculum, including lesson planning, data-informed instruction, and delivery of both small- and whole-group learning activities. The Academic Coordinator manages classroom operations and supports associate coordinators, volunteers, and part-time staff while addressing student academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs, including individualized support when needed. In addition to instructional leadership, the Academic Coordinator plays a key role in overall site success by supporting student recruitment, enrollment, attendance, and retention.

This role requires flexibility, teamwork, and a passion for youth development, as responsibilities may include occasional evening and weekend events, summer programming, and collaboration with school-day teachers and family engagement teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership & Student Support
• Supervise the classroom and overall instructional experience for students
• Develop and submit lesson plans aligned with instructional goals and assessment data
• Facilitate whole-group and small-group instruction based on student needs
• Manage student behavior and provide individualized support when necessary
• Support students experiencing behavioral, social-emotional, and academic challenges
• Integrate academic instruction with tennis and fitness programming, emphasizing life skills development

• Student Recruitment & Engagement
• Lead recruitment, selection, and registration of middle school students for the ACE Academy
• Maintain strong student retention and attendance rates

• Family & School Partnerships
• Build strong relationships with teachers and families to support student progress and success
• Participate in school meetings, including student support, IEP, instructional leadership, assessment, and professional development sessions
• Collaborate and share best practices with coordinators across ACE Academy sites

• Program Support & Community Engagement
• Co-plan and attend events, field trips, and activities, including occasional evenings and weekends
• Support additional program areas, including Family Engagement
• Support summer programming or preparation for the upcoming ACE Academy year as directed by leadership

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred. A focus in education, human services, social work, or a related field is a plus.
• Commitment to educational equity and supporting students in overcoming systemic barriers
• Experience in instructional and program management with urban, multicultural middle school students
• Classroom management, behavior management, and lesson planning experience
• Strong interpersonal, team leadership, organizational, and communication skills
• Experience building relationships with families, teachers, and school leaders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Tennis experience a plus
• Valid driver's license and reliable access to a vehicle preferred

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $50,000 - $58,000 annually (based on experience) Tenacity offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Tenacity is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.