Principal | Founding Years Middle School | ECPA

Job Description

Job Description

About Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men (ECPA) is New Haven’s first dedicated middle school for young men. Our mission is to develop resourceful, resilient, and responsible young men who think critically, lead ethically, and contribute positively to their communities. ECPA provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters mastery of learning while preparing students to navigate real-world choices with confidence and integrity. Through exposure to entrepreneurial thinking, leadership development, and hands-on learning opportunities, our young men cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary to excel in high school, college, and beyond.

For more information about ECPA, please visit

About the Opportunity

ECPA is seeking a dynamic and mission‑driven Founding Years Principal to lead the school into its next chapter, taking the baton from Year 1 and building upon the early foundation established with our inaugural 5th and 6th grade cohorts. As the instructional and cultural leader, the Founding Years Principal will create the conditions for students, staff, and families to thrive as the school continues to grow into Year 2 and beyond.

In this role, the Founding Years Principal will coach and develop teachers and emerging leaders to drive rigorous, engaging instruction and cultivate strong classroom cultures where young men feel known, supported, and challenged to achieve at the highest levels. The principal will partner closely with staff and families to instill in students the confidence, discipline, and leadership skills necessary for success in high school, college, and beyond.

This opportunity is ideal for a reflective, growth‑oriented leader who thrives on feedback, embraces continuous learning, and is adept at building and executing strong systems. The Founding Years Principal will play a pivotal role in shaping a school where young men of color excel academically, socially, and personally.

The ideal candidate brings a balance of visionary leadership, operational expertise, and instructional acumen to drive student achievement and ensure the long‑term sustainability and success of a growing school community.

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Key Responsibilities of the Role

As the new Founding Years Principal at ECPA, you will be responsible for leading the school into its next chapter and ensuring that all students experience a culture of excellence, belonging, and opportunity. Core responsibilities include:

Visionary Leadership & School Culture

• Establish and drive a clear, ambitious vision grounded in high expectations, deep belonging, and transformative learning.

• Build and sustain a structured, student‑centered culture where young men develop confidence, leadership, and resilience.

• Champion restorative practices, SEL, and character development.

• Anticipate and respond to school‑wide challenges with proactive, solutions‑oriented leadership.

People Leadership & Adult Culture

• Inspire and manage educators to uphold strong classroom cultures and high academic and behavioral expectations.

• Model a growth‑oriented mindset as a leader who is reflective, feedback‑seeking, and committed to continuous improvement.

• Support Elevate's Talent Team in recruiting, hiring, onboarding and retaining mission‑aligned educators.

• Cultivate a high‑performance adult culture rooted in trust, accountability, and evolutionary learning.

Instructional Leadership

• Ensure strong command and implementation of a rigorous, engaging, college‑preparatory curriculum aligned to both Elevate's and ECPA’s mission and values.

• Use data to monitor progress and ensure all learners — especially those furthest from opportunity — achieve at high levels.

• Lead coaching, professional development, and instructional improvement cycles.

• Build and refine academic and intervention systems that accelerate achievement.

Operational & Organizational Leadership

• Design and implement systems and routines that maximize instructional time and school‑wide efficiency.

• Manage budget, resources, and staffing needs in collaboration with ECS leadership.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

• Lead a high‑functioning leadership team to drive instructional and cultural excellence.

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong, trust‑based relationships with families and community partners.

• Serve as the face of ECPA, communicating the school’s vision and priorities to internal and external stakeholders.

• Lead family engagement initiatives and student leadership opportunities.

• Partner with ECS leadership on long‑term sustainability, strategic planning, and external partnerships.

Equity & Inclusion

• Ensure ECPA’s model reflects the needs and strengths of young men of color in New Haven.

• Champion an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered.

• Lead culturally responsive instructional practices and embed SEL and character development throughout the school experience.

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Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences:

Required Experience

• 5–7+ years of educational leadership experience (e.g. principal, AP, etc.) with a strong track record in secondary education.

• Proven success leading schools or initiatives serving amazing yet historically underserved communities.

• Experience in a start‑up or founding school environment strongly preferred.

• Experience in a charter school or similar network preferred.

• 3+ years of teaching experience with demonstrated student achievement.

• Deep alignment with the mission and values of ECS and ECPA, including a resolute and unshakable belief in the potential of every student - especially young me of color - to learn, grow, and achieve at a high level

Education & Certification

• CT 092 Certification (or equivalent/reciprocal) required.

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field required; doctoral degree a plus.

Supplemental Core Competencies

Mission‑Driven

• Deep commitment to providing an equitable, high‑quality educational experience for historically underserved students, particularly young men of color.

• Passion for fostering a school culture that develops students academically, socially, and personally, with a commitment to addressing the achievement gap and promoting educational equity.

Growth Mindset & Continuous Learning

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous personal and professional growth, actively seeking feedback to refine leadership practice.

• Balances visionary decision‑making with reflective leadership, embracing challenges as opportunities for improvement.

• Models a growth‑oriented mindset for staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and ongoing development.

• Adapts leadership approaches to meet the evolving needs of students, staff, and the school community.

• Prioritizes the collective betterment of the school community, reinforcing shared learning and commitment to the mission.

People Leadership

• Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop high‑performing teams, including teachers, administrators, and support staff.

• Skilled in coaching, mentoring, and developing staff to reach their full potential, contributing to a collaborative and high‑performing school culture.

• Experience designing and implementing systems that foster school‑wide success and leading teams through change, growth, and innovation.

Instructional Leadership

• Deep expertise in instructional leadership, including curriculum design, instructional coaching, and data‑driven school improvement.

• Experience with diverse, inclusive, and culturally responsive teaching practices that support the success of all students, particularly young men of color.

• Strong understanding of how to build and maintain a rigorous, mission‑aligned curriculum.

Data‑Driven Leadership

• Skilled at using data to drive decision‑making, evaluate instructional practices, and assess student progress.

• Strong analytical ability to identify areas of growth, track progress, and adjust strategies to ensure continuous improvement.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and build relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders, including staff, students, families, and community partners.

• Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both written and verbal formats, navigating complex dynamics with professionalism and diplomacy.

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Mindsets We Value

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy for Young Men. The ideal candidate brings a positive mindset, strong work ethic, and inner drive for excellence, thriving in an entrepreneurial and results‑driven environment.

We are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate the following mindsets and beliefs:

• Mission‑Driven: You deeply align with the mission and values of ECS and ECPA, believe in the brilliance and promise of all students — particularly young men of color — and want to be part of their success story.

• Growth‑Oriented: You welcome feedback, reflect deeply on your practice, and continuously seek to improve your craft.

• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, solutions‑focused, and energized by the opportunity to build and refine systems in a founding school environment.

• Collaborative: You thrive in a team‑based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.

• Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself and others to the highest standards and bring a student‑centered, “whatever it takes” mindset to creating a community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

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Compensation and Benefits

At ECS and ECPA, we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role.

The salary range for the Founding Principal position is $120,000 to $150,000, commensurate with experience and qualification, and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications.

In addition to competitive compensation, ECPA offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular, full-time employees at a competitive value.

Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Elevate is a non‑profit charter management organization serving public charter schools in Connecticut’s urban communities. Our scholars are 99% Black and Brown, and Elevate deeply values inclusion, representation, and diversity across our staff.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all stakeholders. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply, especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve.

If you have questions about the application process, experience any challenges, or need support completing your application, please reach out to our talent team at View email address on ziprecruiter.com. We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.

Compensation Range: $120K - $150K