Head of School

Job Posting: Head of School

ExcelPrep — San Antonio, Texas
Campus Opening: August 2026

Position Overview

ExcelPrep is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Head of School to lead the launch of our San Antonio campus, opening in August 2026. This is a full-time, on-site leadership opportunity for an exceptional educational professional who is deeply committed to improving outcomes for neurodiverse learners through structured, research-based, and data-driven programming.

The Head of School will serve as the senior campus leader responsible for establishing a high-quality academic and therapeutic program, building a strong professional culture, supervising multidisciplinary staff, and ensuring that students and families receive an exceptional educational experience. This role is ideal for a leader who combines strategic vision with operational discipline, instructional expertise, and a deep commitment to student success.

About ExcelPrep

ExcelPrep is a mission-driven private program serving neurodiverse children through structured, research-based instruction. Our mission is simple: to prioritize the academic and social success of neurodiverse learners.

We are a professional and agile organization committed to delivering high-quality academic and therapeutic programming that supports meaningful learning outcomes. Our goal is to provide a nurturing, academically focused environment where students develop strong academic foundations, cognitive-linguistic skills, and the confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond.

The San Antonio campus will reflect the model and standards established by ExcelPrep’s existing programming, including the same commitment to instructional excellence, data-based decision making, and integrated academic and therapeutic support.

Our Programs

PreK–8 Academic Program

Our PreK–8 Academic Program is grounded in Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching. Instruction focuses on core academic skills, including reading, writing, and mathematics, through explicit and systematic teaching methods that emphasize:

• Mastery
• Fluency
• Generalization

This program is designed for students with learning disabilities and neurodiverse profiles who benefit from structured, data-driven instruction.

Clinical ABA Program (Ages 3–13)

Our Clinical ABA Program is cognition‑linguistically based and emphasizes cognitive skill development and social behavior learning within a structured instructional environment. The program integrates Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with teaching strategies that support:

• Language development
• Reasoning
• Executive functioning
• Social competence

Instruction is individualized, data-driven, and focused on building foundational skills that support learning, communication, and independence.

Instructional and Therapeutic Framework Across Programs

Across ExcelPrep programs, we center:

• Direct Instruction and instructional design
• Precision Teaching and data-based decision making
• Instruction grounded in behavior science research
• Occupational Therapy as a prioritized therapy alongside ABA in support of sensory‑motor development

Position Summary

The Head of School will play a central role in the successful launch and long‑term leadership of ExcelPrep’s San Antonio campus. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the academic, operational, and cultural success of the school while ensuring fidelity to ExcelPrep’s mission, instructional model, and standards of excellence.

The Head of School will lead campus startup planning, staff hiring and development, program implementation, family engagement, and day‑to‑day school operations. The successful candidate will bring a strong background in special education or neurodiverse learning, demonstrated leadership experience, and the ability to build and manage a high‑performing, interdisciplinary team.

This role requires an individual who is strategic, organized, collaborative, and relentlessly focused on student outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

School Leadership and Campus Launch

• Lead the planning and execution of the San Antonio campus opening in alignment with ExcelPrep’s mission, model, and organizational goals
• Establish a strong school culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and high expectations for student growth
• Serve as the primary campus leader, ensuring excellence in academics, therapeutic integration, operations, and family experience
• Partner with organizational leadership to develop campus systems, policies, procedures, and launch priorities
• Support enrollment, onboarding, and readiness planning in advance of the August 2026 opening

Instructional and Program Leadership

• Oversee implementation of ExcelPrep’s academic and therapeutic programming across the PreK–8 Academic Program and Clinical ABA Program
• Ensure fidelity to Direct Instruction, Precision Teaching, and other research‑based instructional practices
• Lead data‑informed decision making related to student progress, program effectiveness, and continuous improvement
• Monitor the quality of individualized instruction, intervention planning, and student support systems
• Ensure the integration of academic, behavioral, and therapeutic services in a coordinated, student-centered manner
• Maintain high standards for curriculum implementation, assessment, progress monitoring, and instructional accountability

Staff Leadership and Talent Development

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and develop a high‑performing team of educators, therapists, support staff, and campus personnel
• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management to ensure staff effectiveness and professional growth
• Foster a collaborative interdisciplinary culture across teaching, ABA, occupational therapy, and support teams
• Lead regular team meetings, planning sessions, and professional development efforts
• Build systems that support staff retention, role clarity, and ongoing excellence in service delivery

Family and Community Engagement

• Build strong, professional, and trust‑based relationships with families
• Serve as a key point of contact for parent communication, campus partnership, and school‑community alignment
• Ensure families receive clear communication regarding student progress, programming, expectations, and support
• Represent ExcelPrep professionally within the local community and help establish the school’s presence in the San Antonio area

Operations, Compliance, and Quality Assurance

• Oversee day‑to‑day campus operations to ensure a safe, organized, and effective learning environment
• Partner with organizational leadership on budgeting, staffing plans, scheduling, and resource allocation
• Ensure appropriate student records, reporting processes, and operational systems are maintained with accuracy and professionalism
• Support implementation of policies, procedures, and standards related to student services, staff conduct, safety, and program quality
• Monitor campus performance and lead efforts to strengthen systems, outcomes, and overall school effectiveness

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, Psychology, Behavior Analysis, or a closely related field
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a school, specialized educational program, or interdisciplinary setting serving neurodiverse learners
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and leading teams within an educational or therapeutic environment
• Strong knowledge of special education, neurodiverse learning profiles, individualized programming, and student support systems
• Experience using student performance data to guide instructional and programmatic decisions
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build systems, manage complexity, and lead effectively in a startup or growth-oriented environment
• Deep alignment with ExcelPrep’s mission and commitment to evidence-based educational practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate, administrative credential, or advanced leadership training in education or a related field
• Experience in a private school, specialized school, therapeutic program, or clinical‑educational setting
• Familiarity with Direct Instruction, Precision Teaching, and research-based instructional design
• Understanding of ABA principles and interdisciplinary collaboration in neurodiverse educational settings
• Experience supporting campus launch, school expansion, or program development
• Knowledge of occupational therapy integration, sensory-motor development, and cognitive-linguistic programming
• Texas principal or administrative certification is preferred, though not required
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be:

• Mission-aligned and deeply committed to the success of neurodiverse learners
• A strong instructional and organizational leader
• Skilled in building high-performing, collaborative teams
• Data-driven, strategic, and solutions-oriented
• Comfortable balancing long-range planning with day-to-day operational leadership
• Professional, decisive, and relationship-centered
• Motivated to help establish and lead a high-quality new campus from the ground up

Work Environment

• Full-time, on-site leadership position in San Antonio, Texas
• Opportunity to serve as a founding campus leader in advance of the August 2026 opening
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary workplace
• Professional and agile organizational culture
• Strong emphasis on instructional quality, student outcomes, and continuous improvement

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and leadership support
• Opportunities for growth within a growing mission-driven organization

Equal Opportunity Statement

ExcelPrep is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome candidates who are passionate about advancing meaningful outcomes for neurodiverse learners and contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven educational environment.