Assistant Principal of School Culture (APSC)

Position Type:
Administration/Assistant Principal

Date Posted:
2/17/2026

Location:
Horizon Science Academy Des Moines School
Assistant Principal of School Culture (APSC)

Horizon Science Academy Des Moines (HSADSM)

Primary Purpose
The Assistant Principal of School Culture supports the Principal in advancing a safe, structured, and academically focused learning environment. The APSC leads schoolwide systems related to student behavior, attendance, MTSS, equity, and culture,
ensuring alignment with Iowa Code, Iowa Department of Education requirements, and HSADSM's STEM-focused college preparatory mission This position emphasizes proactive culture-building, restorative practices, PBIS
implementation, and student support coordination.

Required Qualifications
Education & Licensure

- Master's degree in Education or related field
- Valid Iowa Administrator License with Evaluator Approval

- Endorsement as a PK-12 Principal (189) or PK-12 Professional Service Administrator (190) under Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)
-Completion of Iowa evaluator training (or ability to obtain)

Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in charter school settings
- Experience with MTSS frameworks in Iowa
- Experience with special education (IDEA compliance)
- Experience supporting emerging bilingual (EBL) students

Experience

- Minimum of 3 years successful teaching experience in a public or charter
school
- Demonstrated leadership in school culture, student discipline, or MTSS
- Experience in urban or diverse school environments preferred

Core Responsibilities

1. School Culture & Climate Leadership

- Lead and oversee schoolwide PBIS and restorative practices systems
- Develop and implement proactive culture-building initiatives
- Ensure consistent and equitable enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct
- Coordinate behavior data tracking and response systems
- Lead de-escalation training and trauma-informed practice development
- Promote culturally responsive practices and inclusive school climate
- Monitor and address disproportionality in discipline outcomes

2. MTSS & Student Support Systems

- Lead implementation of Iowa-aligned Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
- Coordinate Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions
- Facilitate intervention block systems (non-Tier 1 pull-out unless appropriate)
- Partner with special education and EBL staff to ensure compliance with:
- IDEA
- Section 504
- Iowa Administrative Code 281-41
- Monitor progress data and support continuous improvement
- Ensure compliance with chronic absenteeism monitoring under Iowa Code and SF2435


3. Attendance & Truancy Oversight

- Monitor student attendance trends
- Implement chronic absenteeism prevention strategies
- Support development of individual attendance intervention plans
- Ensure compliance with Iowa Code -299 (Compulsory Attendance & Truancy)
- Partner with families and community agencies to remove attendance barriers
4. Instructional & Staff Leadership
? Support Principal in teacher coaching and evaluation under the Iowa Teacher

Leadership & Evaluation Framework
- Conduct formal and informal observations
- Provide actionable feedback aligned to district and charter performance goals
- Lead professional development on:
- Classroom management
- Behavior systems
- Equity and inclusion
- Student engagement
- Serve as an active member of the School Leadership Team

5. School Improvement & Data Systems
- Assist in development and implementation of the School Improvement Plan
- Manage behavior and attendance data dashboards
- Support tracking of Iowa School Performance Profile (ISPP) indicators
- Use data to identify culture-related barriers to academic success

6. Operational & Compliance Responsibilities
- Coordinate safety drills in accordance with Iowa school safety requirements
- Support student scheduling and supervision systems
-Assist with student services budgeting as assigned
- Ensure adherence to:
- Iowa Code 256E (Charter Schools)
- Federal civil rights requirements
- FERPA and student privacy laws
- Support crisis response and emergency procedures

7. Family & Community Engagement
- Conduct student/parent conferences
- Communicate proactively regarding culture and attendance initiatives
- Partner with community organizations to strengthen student supports
- Represent HSADSM in community and stakeholder meetings when appropriate
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Supervise staff as assigned, including:
- Deans or behavior staff (if applicable)
- Paraprofessionals
- Student support personnel
- Share supervisory responsibilities with the Principal

Professional Expectations
- Maintain confidentiality and professional ethics
- Demonstrate calm leadership in high-stress situations
- Engage in ongoing professional learning
- Actively contribute to a collaborative leadership culture
- Uphold and model HSADSM's STEM-focused, college-preparatory mission

Physical & Work Conditions
- Ability to move throughout building and respond to urgent situations
- Occasional evening or weekend events
- Travel as required for professional development

Employment Terms
- 12-month administrative contract (or as determined by the Board)
- 210 Contracted Days
- Salary and benefits consistent with HSADSM administrative scale
- Evaluated annually per Iowa Administrator Evaluation requirements