Dean of Academics

Job Description

Job Description

BASIS Phoenix Primary is seeking qualified candidates for a Dean of Academics - K-5th to start ASAP!

Primary Purpose

The Dean of Academics is a member of the school leadership team responsible for leading academic achievement, intervention systems, assessment practices, and data-driven instructional support across grades K–5. The Dean of Academics works closely with teachers, school leadership, students, and families to ensure that every student receives the instruction, intervention, enrichment, and support needed to make strong academic growth.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative instructional leader who is passionate about student achievement, comfortable analyzing and communicating academic data, and able to translate data into meaningful instructional action.

Key Responsibilities

Student Achievement & Data

• Lead and facilitate academic data meetings with teachers to identify trends, celebrate growth, and determine next steps for instruction.

• Monitor FastBridge screening and progress-monitoring data to identify students who may require additional academic support or enrichment.

• Analyze state assessment results and other academic data to identify areas of strength and opportunity.

• Develop and monitor action plans designed to improve student achievement.

• Identify students requiring targeted intervention, additional support, or academic enrichment.

• Monitor student progress toward schoolwide and individual academic goals.

Academic Intervention Systems

• Oversee and monitor academic intervention systems for students in grades K–3.

• Directly provide academic intervention services for students in grades 4–5.

• Coordinate Tier II and Tier III academic interventions as part of the school’s MTSS framework.

• Ensure intervention programs and strategies are implemented with fidelity.

• Monitor intervention schedules, student participation, and progress-monitoring requirements.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and make adjustments based on student data.

• Ensure that students receiving intervention have clearly documented goals, progress-monitoring plans, and appropriate instructional supports.

Teacher Support & Instructional Coaching

• Coach and support teachers in using assessment data to inform instruction.

• Assist teachers in developing targeted intervention and support plans.

• Support teachers in using differentiation, targeted instruction, and other instructional best practices.

• Help teachers identify appropriate next steps when students are not demonstrating expected academic growth.

• Monitor progress toward academic goals and provide feedback and support when additional action is needed.

• Collaborate with teachers to identify effective instructional strategies and share successful practices across grade levels.

Academic Meetings & Student Support

• Facilitate Student Academic Support Team meetings and other academic problem-solving meetings.

• Lead academic review meetings and intervention planning sessions.

• Collaborate with teachers and support staff to develop coordinated plans for students with academic needs.

• Coordinate communication regarding student academic progress and intervention plans.

• Participate in MTSS and problem-solving meetings and help ensure appropriate documentation and follow-through.

• Partner with families as needed to communicate student progress, academic concerns, and intervention plans.

Testing & Accountability

• Coordinate school preparation for state assessments and other required academic assessments.

• Monitor assessment participation, completion, and performance trends.

• Support teachers in understanding and responding to assessment results.

• Develop academic improvement strategies aligned with schoolwide goals and priorities.

• Monitor academic performance trends across grade levels and student groups.

• Provide regular updates and reports regarding academic progress to school leadership.

MTSS Leadership

• Lead the academic component of the school’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).

• Coordinate Tier II and Tier III academic interventions.

• Support teams in identifying appropriate interventions based on student data.

• Ensure timely progress monitoring and accurate documentation.

• Collaborate with the Dean of Students and other members of the student support team to ensure students receive coordinated academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.

Shared Leadership Responsibilities

As a member of the school leadership team, the Dean of Academics will also:

• Participate in school leadership meetings and contribute to schoolwide decision-making.

• Support teacher coaching, development, and professional growth.

• Conduct classroom and student observations as needed.

• Participate in parent conferences and family meetings when appropriate.

• Attend and contribute to MTSS, student support, and problem-solving meetings.

• Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication with teachers, staff, students, and families.

• Help foster a safe, positive, collaborative, and achievement-focused school culture.

• Support school events and other schoolwide initiatives.

• Assist with arrival, dismissal, and operational responsibilities as assigned.

• Collaborate with other members of the leadership team to address schoolwide needs and priorities.

Leadership Partnership

The Dean of Academics works in close partnership with the Dean of Students. While each role has a primary area of ownership, both positions are responsible for looking at the whole child and working collaboratively when students have multiple areas of need.

Dean of Students: “Why is the student struggling behaviorally or socially, and what support does the student need?”

Dean of Academics: “Why is the student struggling academically, and what instruction or intervention does the student need?”

When a student has both academic and behavioral concerns, the Deans collaborate to develop a coordinated support plan that addresses the student’s needs as a whole.

Qualifications & Desired Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education, curriculum, administration, or a related field preferred.

• Current teaching certification or appropriate educational credentials preferred.

• Classroom teaching experience, preferably in an elementary setting.

• Experience working with academic data, assessment systems, and student intervention.

• Knowledge of MTSS, differentiated instruction, and evidence-based intervention practices.

• Strong understanding of elementary academic standards and instructional practices.

• Ability to analyze data and translate findings into clear instructional next steps.

• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build trusting, collaborative relationships with teachers, students, and families.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and student support systems effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a school leadership team.

• A growth mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Dean of Academics is an instructional leader who is visible, collaborative, organized, and student-centered. This person understands that data is not simply a collection of numbers—it is a tool for understanding students and improving instruction.

The Dean of Academics should be able to move comfortably between analyzing schoolwide data, coaching a teacher, meeting with a family, providing direct intervention to a student, and collaborating with school leadership to improve academic outcomes.

Most importantly, the Dean of Academics should believe that every student can grow and that strong academic outcomes are the result of intentional instruction, effective intervention, collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Our teachers are part of one of the nation’s most collaborative and professional learning communities. All of our schools use the acclaimed BASIS Charter School Curriculum. At the same time, our teachers are given the autonomy and academic freedom to teach in the manner that suits them. They choose how best to create dynamic lessons that foster student enthusiasm for new ideas and high-level learning. They help guide students to reach their greatest potential while preparing them for the demands of higher education, a rewarding career, and global citizenship. BASIS Charter School teachers spend their time teaching engaged students and teaming up with fellow educators -- creating an intellectual, inspiring, supportive, and Collegial school community.

NOTE: All employees of BASIS Ed are required to obtain and maintain a valid fingerprint clearance.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act and applicable state law, BASIS* does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, gender identity or expression, or any other classification protected by law in any of its business activities, including its educational programs and activities which comply fully with the requirements of state and federal law and Title IX. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding BASIS’ non-discrimination policies: Beverly Traver, Compliance and Equity Investigator, BASIS Educational Group, LLC., 7975 N. Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.