Executive Director

El Rio Community School is community-based independent TK-8 public charter school located in the culturally rich area of Northeast LA that is guided by the core principles of Public Waldorf Education through the lens of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We seek to cultivate a relationship-based school culture that supports joyful, collaborative learning and leadership. Students’ curiosity and imagination are fostered through an arts-integrated, culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate curriculum. By engaging children’s heads, hearts and hands, we strive to develop free-thinking individuals with respect for themselves, their community, and the planet. El Rio is actively committed to using a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging lens to examine traditional Waldorf practices. We are dedicated to creating a school culture and curriculum that honors and reflects our community. Within this community, we seek to nurture children in their strengths while fostering a growth mindset and the ability to work through challenges. Using experiential learning and an arts-infused curriculum, we strive to instill in our students a sense of reverence and responsibility for all life on earth and a deep understanding of our interconnectedness as global citizens. We are focused on graduating lifelong learners and innovative, compassionate human beings who lead their lives and communities with purpose and integrity.

El Rio Community School currently serves 357 students in grades TK-8; our first 8th grade class will culminate this year. As we grow to full capacity and prepare for our first LAUSD charter renewal in 2027-28, El Rio is seeking a committed and collaborative school leader eager and prepared to work with an invested community of teachers, parents, and students to foster a stable and thriving school environment.

El Rio’s Executive Director will:

• Provide leadership and support in implementing the educational vision, philosophy, goals, objectives, and course of study that is outlined in the El Rio charter.
• Be responsible for all personnel matters, including recruitment, hiring, supervision and evaluation of faculty, teaching staff, administrative and support staff.
• Oversee academic programs, student educational progress, professional development, guidance and mentoring for instructional staff, assessments, curriculum development, special education compliance, parent education, campus life, community festivals, community outreach, public relations, student discipline and crisis intervention.
• Oversee finance/budgeting (in collaboration with an experienced back-office services provider), as well as health and safety compliance, school facility procurement and management, human resources, including keeping records of credentialing, background checks and clearances for all teachers, staff, and applicable volunteers; payroll, employee benefits, fundraising, long-range financial planning and budget development, facility planning, compliance and reporting with state, district and county authorities, audit support, and procurement of materials, equipment, supplies and services.

Requirements / Qualifications

The Executive Director will possess the following minimum qualifications or equivalent qualifications deemed by the Board to be commensurate with the demands of their position:

• Proven track record in designing and implementing complex, long-term projects
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, motivate, sustain and lead
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions, and to organize and coordinate operations efficiently
• Strong interpersonal skills, curiosity, courage, and passion for the school mission
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret accurately, and respond effectively to information and data of various types as communicated in multiple forms (i.e. assessment data, qualitative data, observation)
• Personal integrity

Additional qualifications that may be considered include:

• A valid teaching credential and/or an administrative credential
• Master’s Degree in Education or public/charter school administration
• At least five years of successful educational experience
• Experience in a charter school setting
• Certification or expertise in Public Waldorf Education
• Interest/Knowledge of and Commitment to Public Waldorf Education
• Experience leading or playing a significant role in a charter renewal process

The salary for this role is budgeted from $150,000-165,000, and includes a generous benefits package.