Assistant Principal - Esperanza Academy (Lawrence, MA)

Esperanza Academy seeks an accomplished and mission-aligned Assistant Principal to serve as a key instructional and administrative leader, partnering closely with the School Principal to advance the school's academic, cultural, and operational priorities. Reporting to the School Principal, the Assistant Principal helps ensure high-quality curriculum implementation, effective instructional practice, strong student support systems, and data-informed decision-making across the school. The role is central to setting and reinforcing high academic expectations, fostering instructional coherence across grades and content areas, and contributing to a positive, supportive school environment where all students can thrive. The Assistant Principal maintains a strong, visible presence in classrooms and throughout the school community, collaborating closely with faculty, school leadership, students, and families to strengthen teaching and learning. In partnership with the School Principal, the Assistant Principal supports faculty development, student support systems, school culture, and the effective implementation of schoolwide goals and initiatives. The Assistant Principal contributes to a safe, joyful, and inclusive environment where Esperanza students are challenged academically, supported holistically, and empowered to grow as confident learners and leaders. For more than two decades, Esperanza has paired rigorous academics with a long-term commitment to its students, supporting them through middle school, high school placement, college navigation, and early career development. As the school moves into its new home and expands its reach, Esperanza is positioned not only to serve more students and families, but also to contribute to national conversations about what equitable, justice-centered education can look like. Esperanza is committed to a diverse and inclusive community with respect to race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic circumstance, age, and physical disability in its student body, faculty and staff. Esperanza Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Esperanza Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. RESPONSIBILITIES Academic Leadership Lead, develop, and continuously improve the school's academic program, setting and reinforcing clear, consistent expectations for rigorous, curriculum-aligned instruction across all grades Partner closely with the School Principal and Academic Support Coordinator to ensure instructional coherence, strong tiered supports, and alignment with schoolwide academic goals Maintain a sustained, visible presence in classrooms through regular observations and instructional feedback Lead department and grade-level meetings focused on instructional alignment, shared practices, student work analysis, and data-driven goal setting Analyze student performance data, including classroom assessments, MAP data, and screening tools, to inform instructional decisions, interventions, and program improvement Manage assessment and testing programs, including oversight of incoming student screenings Oversee grading practices, comment-writing, report cards, and progress reports to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with academic expectations Faculty Support and Professional Development Mentor and support faculty through targeted feedback, coaching cycles, and aligned professional growth opportunities Plan, facilitate, and assess professional development for new and returning staff based on instructional priorities and curricular needs Support school leadership and staff in the collection and analysis of data to inform school goals and improve organizational performance, educator effectiveness, and student learning Support the School Principal in monitoring the effectiveness of school programs and procedures in and outside the classroom In collaboration with the School Principal, facilitate weekly staff meetings and professional development days Student, Family, and School Culture Support Partner with the School Principal to promote and sustain a safe, joyful, and inclusive school culture that reflects the school's mission, values, and commitment to restorative practices. Support the implementation of schoolwide behavior expectations, student accountability systems, and restorative approaches, working collaboratively with students, families, and faculty to foster a positive learning environment. Collaborate with the School Principal and student support team to address behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional concerns, helping to coordinate interventions and monitor student progress. Support the administration of student discipline processes, including incident response, documentation, family communication, and restorative follow-up, ensuring consistency and alignment with school policies and values. Maintain a visible presence throughout the school day and at school events, building strong relationships with students and families and reinforcing a culture of belonging, respect, and high expectations. Operational and Administrative Responsibilities Support safe and efficient daily school operations in partnership with the School Principal, including supervision, scheduling, staffing coverage, and policy implementation Assist in maintaining compliance and systems integrity by supporting student records management, safety protocols, required trainings, and adherence to best practices. Collaborate with the School Principal to support schoolwide systems and programs, including after-school activities, technology and materials management, and continuous improvement of operational processes. Serve as a key administrative partner to the School Principal, supporting leadership of school culture, student support systems, daily operations, and strategic initiatives. Assume responsibility for designated school leadership functions in the School Principal's absence, ensuring continuity in school operations, student support, decision-making, and communication. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree required; Master's Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field strongly preferred. Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience, ideally at the middle school level. Prior experience in instructional leadership, coaching, or administration strongly preferred. Commitment to restorative practices and equity-driven education. Demonstrated expertise in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Strong ability to analyze data and translate insights into instructional action. Collaborative leadership style and comfort working within a shared academic leadership model. Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills. Ability to balance high expectations with care, empathy, and support. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is strongly preferred. COMPENSATION Salary range: $85,000 - 95,000 annually Esperanza Academy offers an attractive benefits package including 403(b), medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, and a comprehensive professional development program. 403(b) medical dental life disability insurance comprehensive professional development program #J-18808-Ljbffr Strategenius