School Principal (Grades 6-12)

• Applications will be reviewed beginning on January 30, 2026

About Great Oaks NYC

Great Oaks Kathleen Sherry Charter School– New York City (GO-NYC) prepares students to shape the world, not be defined by it. We believe children learn best through a combination of direct instruction and project-based, authentic experiences to support skill development and accelerate learning. Our program is organized around the design principles of Mastery, Leadership, and Community. GO-NYC provides rigorous, project-based learning, advanced coursework, and supplemental tutorial support that centers equity, culturally responsive teaching, and strong relationships. We seek talented, tenacious, asset-minded people who share our belief that all students deserve a high-quality education.

Design Principles

Mastery: For students to shape the world and not be defined by it, they must develop deep knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to new contexts. We emphasize student-centered, projected based curriculum and joyful teaching.

Leadership: The purpose of leadership is to support a vision of the world in which equity and justice are essential. We offer leadership opportunities to students so that they can persist through challenges, plan proactively for their future, and collaborate with others.

Community: Community is predicated on the understanding that if it takes a village to raise a child, why not help raise the village. We support the whole child in the development of healthy self-esteem and confidence by building deep relationships with others and themselves.

Position Summary

The School Principal is the instructional and cultural leader of GO-NYC’s middle and high school programs. This leader ensures consistent, high quality instruction; builds an affirming, achievement-oriented school culture; develops educators and emerging leaders; and authentically engages families and the broader community.

We are seeking a candidate with:

• Significant high school leadership experience
• A powerful, student-centered instructional lens
• Demonstrated effectiveness in NYC charter schools
• The cultural fluency, humility, and community-minded leadership required to lead by example

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Drive rigorous instructional vision across all subjects aligned to GO-NYC’s design principles and New York State learning standards
• Ensure high-quality curriculum and evidence-based pedagogy across grades 6-12 and all subject areas; oversee high school regent and credit requirements to ensure on time graduation for all students
• Oversee the use of formative and summative assessments to accelerate student achievement; ensure data is used as the foundation for continuous school improvement– all decisions are data driven.
• Regularly lead both proactive and responsive professional development for all staff members
• Ensure that systems are implemented effectively to develop, support, coach and supervise teachers in a way that builds teacher knowledge, inspires and enlists them, and holds them accountable for student learning.

School Culture and Community Engagement

• Build a joyful, strengths-based, and culturally responsive school culture rooted in leadership, self-esteem, equity, and community.
• Establish and hold the line on clear, positive schoolwide routines and reinforce student agency, belonging, and high expectations
• Engage families as true partners through consistent communication, transparent decision-making, and community-centered leadership
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion work with staff, students, and families; model relational leadership.

Talent and Team Leadership

• Recruit, develop, and retain excellent NYC educators aligned with GO-NYC’s mission and instructional approach.
• Implement strong supervision, observation, coaching, and accountability systems to build teacher capacity and drive results
• Develop a collaborative leadership team and cultivate a professional culture that values openness, reflection, and continuous improvement.

Operations, Compliance, and Strategic Management

• Leads in collaboration with Director of Operations schoolwide operations, including scheduling, assessment systems, discipline structures, data use, communication systems, school safety, and instructional program alignment
• Ensure compliance with NYC and NYSED charter regulations, reporting requirements, and authorizer expectations
• Support the Executive Director in growing student enrollment and executing effective marketing campaigns
• Partner with the Executive Director on communication to families, board members, and external stakeholders

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess proven success in implementation of high-quality instructional programs that led to student achievement in urban schools. S/he will possess exceptional relationship building skills and the ability to communicate clearly and honestly to multiple stakeholders. The successful candidate will also have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree required; advanced education or education leadership degree preferred.
• At least three years of leadership experience in an urban high school (familiarity with middle school also preferred), preferably in a New York City charter school; state leadership certification strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of improving student outcomes through strong instructional leadership
• Experience coaching and developing leaders and teachers and managing high-performing teams
• Deep belief that all students–regardless of background– can achieve at high levels
• Commitment to equity, culturally responsive practices, and community centered leadership
• A do-whatever-it takes attitude including a willingness to occasionally work on the weekend or in the evening
• An exceptional ability to respond well to feedback and implement immediately

What We Offer

• Salary Range: $160,000-180,000 depending on experience
• A mission-driven, equity focused, and community-centered environment
• Benefits including 403(b), medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A unique opportunity to lead a growing charter school into the future with a bold instructional and cultural vision

Interview Process

• Application Submission
  • Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter outlining their interest in the role and alignment with GO-NYC’s mission.
• Initial Resume Review
  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis to assess qualifications and experience beginning January 30, 2026.
• First-Round Interview (Virtual)
  • Selected candidates will participate in a 30–45 minute Zoom interview focused on experience, skills, and role alignment.
• Final Round Interview (In-Person)
  • Finalists will be invited to an in-person interview with members of the hiring committee.
  • Candidates will be asked to complete and present a work product related to the role.
• References & Offer
  • Professional references will be requested during the final stage.
  • An offer is expected to be extended by March 31, with an anticipated start date as early as April 15 and no later than July 1.
  • Final candidates will be required to successfully complete all necessary background checks in accordance with GO-NYC policy and applicable New York State regulations.

• A mission-driven, equity focused, and community-centered environment
• Benefits including 403(b), medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A unique opportunity to lead a growing charter school into the future with a bold instructional and cultural vision

Proficient in English is required