Principal

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

About The SEED School of Washington, D.C.

The SEED Foundation ( was created in 1997 to establish college-preparatory urban boarding schools that prepare children both academically and socially, for success in college and beyond. In 1998, the Foundation opened The SEED Public Charter School of Washington, D.C. – the nation’s first urban public college preparatory boarding school. The school currently serves 325 students in grades 6-12. In 2015, 100% of SEED’s seniors were accepted to a four year college or university.

All SEED students live on campus from Sunday evening through Friday afternoon when they return home for the weekend. The dormitories are organized into small “houses” of 10-12 students per life skills counselor for afternoon and evening routines such as study hall, house meetings, and social activities. We provide a safe and caring 24 hour boarding experience. Our relationship with parents and guardians is essential to the success of their child while at SEED.

About The SEED Network

SEED is the pioneering national network of public, college-preparatory boarding schools, offering a unique 24-hour, 5-day per week learning environment. Our tuition-free schools, the first of their kind in the U.S., are intentionally designed to serve traditionally underserved students. Supported by The SEED Foundation, we operate in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Miami, and Los Angeles. The Foundation's College Transition & Success (CTS) team provides comprehensive support to SEED graduates from junior year through college graduation. SEED's success has gained recognition from media outlets like 60 Minutes and The New York Times, and former President Obama has lauded it as "a true success story." Learn more at

Position Overview

The Principal is the executive leader responsible for the daily management, safety, and cultural health of the school during the academic day. Tasked with creating the "conditions for learning," the Principal manages the people and processes that make a high-quality college preparatory environment possible. The Principal collaborates and cooperates with key personnel, leveraging subject-matter expertise to maximize the effectiveness of school programming.

This position reports to the Head of School. The Assistant Principal reports to this role.

• Directly manages, mentors, and evaluates two (2) Assistant Principals, ensuring their daily actions align with the school's strategic goals.
• Partners with Human Resources to ensure the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of highly qualified personnel in partnership with the Head of School.
• Models and fosters a "growth mindset" across the faculty, creating a supportive professional community where staff are empowered to be successful.
• Ensures that all assigned personnel are meeting annual performance goals and adhering to the school’s mission and vision.

• Takes full responsibility for all policies and programs during school hours to ensure an environment consistent with a college preparatory mission.
• Partners with the Senior Director of Operations to ensure that IT, facilities, and campus security provide the necessary support for daily learning.
• Leads the creation and maintenance of the master schedule, balancing complex instructional requirements with logistical needs.
• Leverages the subject-matter expertise of other SLT members to maximize the effectiveness of school programming.

• Promotes a culture of excellence and opportunity, advocating for student needs and emphasizing family involvement.
• Works in lockstep with Student Support Services to manage student conduct
• Coordinates with the Wellness and Behavioral Health suites to ensure students receive necessary care with minimal disruption to their academic day.
• Partners with Student Life to manage the transition between academic hours and residential life.

• Effectively analyzes and uses data to monitor school-wide performance outcomes and ensure student success metrics are met.
• Implements and enforces policies to ensure the school meets all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Oversees compliance and reporting requirements for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) and the Public Charter School Board.

Core Characteristics

To thrive in this role, the Principal must possess specific leadership traits that prioritize integration and personnel management over siloed authority.

• The "Integrator" Mindset: Possesses a unique ability to see how disparate parts—facilities, wellness, boarding, and academics—fit together to create a single, cohesive student experience.
• Radical Collaborator: Operates with a "team-first" mentality, finding professional fulfillment in shared wins with the Director of Academics and other Senior Directors rather than seeking total autonomous control.
• High-EQ Communicator: Able to navigate high-stakes conversations with parents, faculty, and peers with poise and empathy, serving as the "emotional thermostat" for the campus.
• Systems Thinker: Approaches challenges by evaluating and improving the underlying policies and schedules that govern the academic day, ensuring the "conditions for learning" are always met.
• Adaptive Leader: Demonstrates the agility to shift from executive strategic planning in SLT meetings to "on-the-ground" tactical support for Academic and Student Support staff in the hallways.
• Mission-Driven Advocate : Maintains an unwavering belief in the potential of all students and a commitment to SEED’s specific vision for success in college and beyond.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree in K-12 school administration, curriculum & instruction, or a related field with strong academic preparation is preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience with proven results in an urban school setting that demonstrates high student outcomes in a high school setting.
• Minimum 3 years demonstrated success as an effective high school classroom teacher as evidenced by teacher and scholar growth and achievement data as well as personal performance data.
• A performance and outcome-driven approach with a demonstrated track record of impact on student outcomes, with strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytic skills.
• Strong communication and listening skills, with a track record in team building, change management, and building alignment around a shared vision and direction.
• A high degree of personal integrity, demonstrated leadership abilities, and a history of working cooperatively with key stakeholders in a school environment.
• Solid understanding of the developmental and social nuances of children in high school.
• Develops and supports a climate that values, accepts, and understands that achievement is at the core of our work, and that excuses are irrelevant.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity for all students.
• Works independently with little direct supervision.
• Works well with others and as part of a team.