Middle School Associate Dean of Culture (2026-2027)

Description

Organization Overview 

Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college.

At Excel, we believe that every student—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status - deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path.

About our Team 

Everyday, our team members choose to be positive, drive their own growth, uplift one another, and hold the highest possible beliefs for what students can achieve. 

About the Role

The Associate Dean of Culture will support initiatives related to student culture and ensure that students are supported to achieve academically while developing as young people. The ADOC also serves as a co-leader of the school’s core behavior and character education systems and programs. This role will be based out of our middle school Excel Rhode Island campus.

Start Date & Starting Salary:$60 - $76k, commensurate with experience. The ideal candidate would start in August 2026. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Proactively plan and execute systems to drive positive student behavior and create an academics-focused culture of achievement:

• Proactively train key constituents in Excel’s approach to culture and behavior systems
• Develop and teach New Staff Orientation lessons
• Lead workshops during All-Staff Summit
• Support grade level leaders in their work planning and executing student orientation
• With the school admin team, develop and deliver parent orientation sessions, and conduct follow-up meetings 
• Empower teachers to drive positive student outcomes
• Provide feedback to staff members in their classroom management during break, lunch, Focus, and instructional time
• Build strong relationships with staff members; seek feedback and provide feedback
• Ensure a cycle of communication with teachers following referrals
• Maintain a public presence throughout the school day
• Plan, oversee, and execute designated programming:
• Oversee school-wide intervention and incentive programs
• Plan and execute student groups as determined by the Dean Team

Respond to issues relating to behavior or discipline:

• Serve as a parent contact for student disciplinary issues and concerns, conferring with Head of School and teachers as needed.
• Manage daily attendance and uniform referrals
• Manage “Dean’s office traffic” from 7:30 – 8:20 am, including processing uniform referrals and late students
• Communicate updates on students to staff in a timely manner
• Monitor attendance of frequently-absent students; provide regular updates to administrators
• Communicate with families and/or create attendance contracts, as needed

Serve as a productive member of the Excel Community:

• Participate in generating and upholding Excel Staff norms
• Provide coverage when needed
• Follow the appropriate protocol when absent to request coverage
• Serve as a member of a GLT and homeroom team:
• Meaningfully participate in Friday meetings, school PD and family conferences
• Do whatever it takes to ensure the mission of the school is fulfilled

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

• Understand how your identity markers (including race, class, and gender) impact your leadership.
• Demonstrates understanding and respect for the cultures and languages of our communities. 
• Solicit and welcome collaboration and feedback from colleagues, students, families and the surrounding community.
• Understand the impact of historical and structural racism and use this lens in your decision-making. 
• Take action to demonstrate personal reflections and growth/ be responsive to feedback and lessons learned. 

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred;
• A minimum of two years teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred;
• A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement; and
• And can speak to their personal investment and commitment to antiracist education and diversity, equity, and inclusion in our school community and beyond. 

Preference will be given to applicants who also:

• Have experience in a public or charter school setting
• Speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, Khmer, and Vietnamese
• Can clearly articulate the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide examples of how this commitment will be woven into all aspects of the school vision

Excel Academy Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language or prior academic achievement.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.