Admin - Assistant Principal (COA) (SY26-27)

Admin - Assistant Principal (COA) (SY26-27)

The Chelsea Public Schools (CPS) is a gateway school system that welcomes and educates all students and families. In CPS, we believe all children are capable of achieving their personal best by ensuring a safe and supportive environment for school and classroom environments. The school system educates over 6,200 students in 11 schools, including a pre-K-1st grade school, 4 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, a virtual school, and 2 high schools. CPS is a culturally responsive school district. We believe that students learn best when they are engaged in meaningful relationships that fosters and promotes high expectations and risk taking. We are a district of multilingual students where languages are an asset to student development and growth. More information about CPS can be found on our website at

Founded in 2018, Chelsea Opportunity Academy (COA) is the district's alternative high school designed for students who are overage and undercredited, balancing school with significant responsibilities outside the classroom. COA was created in partnership with Chelsea students, families, and community members, resulting in an innovative, flexible learning model that enables students to re-engage in school and earn a high-quality diploma on timelines that work for them.

COA serves approximately 150 students each year through a personalized, relationship-centered approach. The school's flexible and asynchronous model supports the 80% of students who work while attending school, and its core valueEvery Day Is a New Dayguides a culture of belonging, care, and possibility. With a small, mission-driven staff, a deeply rooted crew advisory system, strong alumni mentorship, and an emphasis on healing-centered practice, COA has supported more than 200 graduates who are now enrolled in postsecondary programs or employed. COA is seeking a principal who recognizes the transformative power of relationships, deeply values young people's strengths, and believes that with support, love, and academic challenge, all students can thrive.

The Assistant Principal of Chelsea Opportunity Academy serves as the instructional, operational, and cultural leader of the school along with the Principal. This role requires a leader who can both uphold the school's unique model and guide its continued evolution in collaboration with students, staff, families, and district partners. The Assistant Principal is responsible for contributing a clear vision for student success, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, fostering a nurturing and culturally responsive environment, and maintaining the flexible systems that allow COA students to balance school, work, and family. This is a highly relational leadership role in a small school community where visibility, presence, and partnership with staff and students are essential.

Job Responsibilities

The Assistant Principal retains supports oversight, progress monitoring, supervision, and evaluation of all administrators, educator teams, and staff responsible for implementing the following:

Vision, Culture & Community

• Fostering a collaborative, student-centered culture grounded in shared leadership and the school's values.
• Setting and sustaining the vision for instruction, social-emotional learning, and the holistic development of students in an alternative setting.
• Building and refining systems that uphold COA's flexible, trauma-informed, and relationship-based model.

Instruction & Professional Learning

• Aligning academic curriculum with state standards, culturally responsive practices, and CASEL competencies.
• Coaching, supervising, and evaluating teachers and leaders using state performance standards and rubrics.
• Leading the creation and implementation of effective professional learning that supports staff growth and aligns with school and district priorities.
• Conducting classroom observations with actionable, targeted feedback.

Family, Community & Partnerships

• Supporting strong family engagement through communication, partnership, and culturally responsive outreach. Working beyond the use of digital communication and messages to embrace face to face meetings, home visits, and regular phone calls.
• Collaborating with community organizations to expand opportunities and supports for students.

Operations, Systems & Strategic Planning

• Developing and monitoring annual budgets aligned to school improvement goals.
• Leading and operationalizing the master schedule, ensuring flexible pathways for students.
• Overseeing local, state, and federal assessments and leveraging data (including ACCESS, MCAS, and benchmarks) for decision-making.
• Managing school policies, discipline systems, and the continued integration of restorative practices.

General Leadership

• Overseeing student relations, personnel management, facilities, and community relations.
• Carrying out other responsibilities as assigned by the Principal.

Qualifications Required

• Master's Degree and MA DESE Principal license require
• Minimum 68 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years of effective teaching
• Experience working with culturally diverse student populations
• Demonstrated leadership abilityExperience with curriculum development and assessment (Understanding by Design, Performance Assessments, Instructional Rounds)
• Demonstrated competence in staff supervision and evaluationProven ability to build strong partnerships with families and community organizations
• Ability to prepare and administer an annual school budget
• Knowledge of state and federal education laws
• Ability to implement district policies and procedures
• Citizenship, residency, or work visa required

Qualifications Preferred

• Bilingual Spanish and English (highly preferred)
• Experience as a Principal, Assistant Principal, or comparable leadership role
• Experience working in alternative, competency-based, or nontraditional school models

In accordance with the provision of the district's contract with the Chelsea Administrations' Association (CAA), 215 Days. See CAA Salary Scale and Contract on our website: The Chelsea Opportunity Academy operates on a flexible daily schedule for students. Instructional staff are expected to be in school from 9:00AM until 3:50PM.

Chelsea Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.