Dean of Academics

Dean Of Academics - K-5th

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 include:

• Leading and facilitating academic data meetings with teachers to identify trends, celebrate growth, and determine next steps for instruction.
• Monitoring FastBridge screening and progress-monitoring data to identify students who may require additional academic support or enrichment.
• Analyzing state assessment results and other academic data to identify areas of strength and opportunity.
• Developing and monitoring action plans designed to improve student achievement.
• Identifying students requiring targeted intervention, additional support, or academic enrichment.
• Monitoring student progress toward schoolwide and individual academic goals.
• Overseeing and monitoring academic intervention systems for students in grades K–3.
• Directly providing academic intervention services for students in grades 4–5.
• Coordinating Tier II and Tier III academic interventions as part of the school's MTSS framework.
• Ensuring intervention programs and strategies are implemented with fidelity.
• Monitoring intervention schedules, student participation, and progress-monitoring requirements.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and making adjustments based on student data.
• Ensuring that students receiving intervention have clearly documented goals, progress-monitoring plans, and appropriate instructional supports.
• Coaching and supporting teachers in using assessment data to inform instruction.
• Assisting teachers in developing targeted intervention and support plans.
• Supporting teachers in using differentiation, targeted instruction, and other instructional best practices.
• Helping teachers identify appropriate next steps when students are not demonstrating expected academic growth.
• Monitoring progress toward academic goals and providing feedback and support when additional action is needed.
• Collaborating with teachers to identify effective instructional strategies and share successful practices across grade levels.
• Facilitating Student Academic Support Team meetings and other academic problem-solving meetings.
• Leading academic review meetings and intervention planning sessions.
• Collaborating with teachers and support staff to develop coordinated plans for students with academic needs.
• Coordinating communication regarding student academic progress and intervention plans.
• Participating in MTSS and problem-solving meetings and helping ensure appropriate documentation and follow-through.
• Partnering with families as needed to communicate student progress, academic concerns, and intervention plans.
• Coordinating school preparation for state assessments and other required academic assessments.
• Monitoring assessment participation, completion, and performance trends.
• Supporting teachers in understanding and responding to assessment results.
• Developing academic improvement strategies aligned with schoolwide goals and priorities.
• Monitoring academic performance trends across grade levels and student groups.
• Providing regular updates and reports regarding academic progress to school leadership.
• Leading the academic component of the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
• Coordinating Tier II and Tier III academic interventions.
• Supporting teams in identifying appropriate interventions based on student data.
• Ensuring timely progress monitoring and accurate documentation.
• Collaborating with the Dean of Students and other members of the student support team to ensure students receive coordinated academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.

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.

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.

Qualifications and desired skills include:

• 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.

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.

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

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 click.appcast.io. *As used in this policy, the term "BASIS" refers to: BASIS Educational Group, LLC