Head of School

All candidates are asked to apply using the application provided by the school through the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPnucGx1nn7CHBPU4pinSxdcGwHOK4uJ3Pt9tx8q9vofOD2A/viewform

Candidates should apply by Wednesday, January 28 for priority consideration.

Head of School

Reports to: Board of Trustees

Supervises: Principal/Assistant Head of School; Director of Finance, Facilities, and HR; Student Support Director; Athletic Director; IT Director; Data Management Specialist; Communications Coordinator; Receptionist; Nurse Leader; Lead Counselor

The Head of School serves as the primary leader of the school, with oversight of all educational programs and organizational operations. By navigating complex and, at times, conflicting needs, the Head of School leads the school’s staff toward achieving its mission:

“The Rising Tide Charter Public School will provide a strong academic program rooted in the history of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Our students will harvest opportunity from the practice of language, the reasoning of mathematics, the analysis of science and the reflection of history. We want children to hone skills through rigorous studies, but skills alone do not make a whole education. The Rising Tide Charter Public School will also cultivate within its students a sense of belonging to our community, a tie with those who have come before them and a seed of continuity between the Plymouth of today and the Plymouth of tomorrow. The Rising Tide Charter Public School will graduate capable and prepared young adults who have already sown within themselves a sense of place and belonging that will be the bounty of the future, whether they remain among us or venture from our harbor.”

Overview of Responsibilities

Innovative Leadership

• Inspires, attracts, retains, guides, and influences a strong leadership team and school community toward achieving the school’s mission.
• Demonstrates an openness to innovation and creative ideas and has the organizational skills to lead the organization through change.
• Maintains and utilizes a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the educational landscape, applying new techniques as appropriate.
• Models the behaviors of effective leadership: goal-oriented, accountable, facilitative, resilient, adaptive, belief-based action, culturally competent.

Staff and Instructional Management

• Fosters a culture of accountability, high academic achievement, and growth. Models and ensures that staff consistently demonstrates the ability to interact effectively with students and staff members from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Actively assesses the ongoing challenges to ensuring that all students graduate as capable and prepared students and citizens under evolving state- and school-based standards.
• Communicates with clarity and precision what academic success looks like on an individual and school-wide basis.
• Oversees coherence with DESE standards and curriculum across all grades.
• Sustains and deepens a professional learning community among staff, providing meaningful growth and development opportunities for staff.

Budget and Operations

• Successfully manages the Board-approved annual budget and the long-term financial health of the organization.
• Oversee the process for student enrollment, access and equity, and recruitment and retention.
• Ensures the organization’s financial resources are properly managed to support strategic goals and objectives. Works with Board, staff, and third parties to ensure accurate accounting and annual auditing.
• Manages grant prospects and applications to ensure resources are available for necessary academic and operational transformations.
• Oversees safety, security, and risk management policies and procedures affecting students, faculty, and staff.
• Ensures clear internal communication with operations staff around calendar event planning and operational goals.

Community Leadership

• Promotes regular, two-way, inclusive communication with families about student learning and performance.
• Navigates effectively through challenging issues and ensures family concerns are addressed in an equitable, effective, and efficient manner.
• Effectively represents the school as the primary spokesperson and liaison to stakeholders, including parents, community leaders, city and state officials, the press, and the public.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate difficult issues thoughtfully and with the appropriate level of transparency.
• Cultivates a positive working relationship with other schools (district and charter) to share best practices and work collaboratively to increase achievement for all students.
• Engenders public support for the school’s academic and extracurricular programs.

Board Management and Compliance

• Works to develop strong, productive relationships with Board members and implements the policies decided by the Board.
• Submits to the Board recommendations and supporting materials on all matters requiring Board action and informs the agenda for board meetings.
• Aids the recruitment of new Board members to ensure that Board members have the diverse backgrounds, skills, and visions necessary to set the direction for the school.
• Oversee compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including MA DESE and Federal Programs compliance and accountability such as the Annual Report, the Accountability Plan, and periodic site visits.
• Holds self, staff members, and community members to a high level of ethical standards and work ethic.

Qualifications

We recognize that every candidate is unique, and that outstanding candidates can come from a variety of backgrounds. Anyone who can readily fulfill the job description above is welcome to apply. However, we would look favorably upon candidates who meet some or all of the qualifications listed below:

• Education: Candidates should have at least a Master’s degree in education or related field, ideally Educational Leadership or Administration.
• Proven school leadership experience: The ideal candidate has held a key leadership role in a school (ideally for at least three years), including as a principal, assistant principal, or other similar position. Experience with charter schools is also valuable.
• Deep understanding of K-12 education: Ideal candidates will have experience that demonstrates their unique expertise in this field, familiarity with charter school operations, and the ability to implement systems that achieve measurable results.
• Strong management skills: Candidates must have managed teams charged with achieving outstanding results while maintaining compliance with key regulations.
• Commitment to equity: We seek a school leader with the vision and skills needed to lead a diverse student body and staff team.
• Community Engagement: Ideal candidates will have experience communicating with and demonstrating accountability to diverse constituencies.

Compensation and Start Date

The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $180,000. The final offered salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s skills, experiences, and qualifications. The start date for this role will be July 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Rising Tide Charter Public School provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants by prohibiting discrimination because of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Work Eligibility:

Candidates for employment at Rising Tide must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. The school is unable to sponsor work visas of any type.

No phone calls please.

Benefits include Health Insurance, HRA, Dental Insurance, Paid Family Medical Leave, Life Insurance, Paid Vacation.