Founding High School Director SY26-27

The American Dream School; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Retirement plan

Job summary

The American Dream School is seeking an innovative and bilingual School Director to lead a new dual-language High School in Washington Heights, New York City. This role is crucial in designing and implementing rigorous academic programs that foster a high-quality bilingual-bicultural education.

The ideal candidate will have extensive school leadership experience, a strong commitment to inclusive culture, and a track record of academic improvement. Salary range is between $140,000 and $180,000, with a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of school leadership experience.
• Able to communicate professionally in both languages.
• Skilled in curriculum design and instructional leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of a rigorous dual language program.
• Supervise and support teachers and staff.
• Cultivate partnerships with families and community organizations.

Skills

Bilingual communication in English and Spanish

Leadership and collaboration

Curriculum design

Instructional leadership

Data-driven decision making

Education

NYS certification

Master's degree or higher in education

Job description

The American Dream Charter School II will open a new dual-language High School in the Washington Heights section of New York City, serving English language learners and immigrant students. The mission of the American Dream School II is to develop academic excellence in both Spanish and English, preparing students to excel in college, career, and community leadership.

Role

The American Dream Charter School seeks a bilingual, innovative, and bold NYS-certified school leader with deep knowledge of dual-language education at the secondary level. The School Director will serve as the founding instructional and cultural leader of the new High School, designing rigorous bilingual programs, cultivating a strong college-going culture, and ensuring all students graduate prepared to lead confidently in both languages.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to launch a new dual language High School that continues the ADS legacy of Diversity, Respect, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Motivation, in partnership with Network Leadership and the Washington Heights community.

Key Responsibilities

The School Director will lead with purpose and collaboration to ensure academic excellence, strong school culture, and operational alignment in service of the ADS mission.

• Lead with purpose and conviction , ensuring that every student receives a high-quality bilingual-bicultural education grounded in the values of Diversity, Respect, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Motivation.
• Design, launch, and grow a new dual-language high school fostering a culture of academic excellence, inclusivity, and belonging.
• Supervise and support teachers, staff, and instructional teams to ensure alignment across academic, operational, and cultural priorities.
• Develop and oversee instructional programs that drive student success in Regents, college readiness, and bilingual proficiency.
• Cultivate strong partnerships with families, community organizations, and local leaders to strengthen engagement and support for students in Community School District 6.
• Model visionary leadership , integrity, and collaboration while building a joyful and mission-driven school culture.
• Ensure operational and regulatory excellence , maintaining compliance with state, network, and charter requirements.

The School Director will serve as a visionary founder, building the systems, culture, and community partnerships that bring The American Dream Charter School’s dual language mission to life in a new High School.

• Design and implement the school’s academic and cultural blueprint, ensuring alignment with ADS’s dual language model while adapting it for the high school context.
• Recruit, hire, and develop a team of educators and staff who are mission-aligned, culturally responsive, and committed to bilingual excellence.
• Collaborate with network leadership to build sustainable systems for growth, accountability, and long-term success as additional grades are added.
• Establish operational and instructional structures that promote consistency, transparency, and collaboration across classrooms and departments.
• Develop the school’s identity- its traditions, voice, and community partnerships—rooted in the belief that bilingualism and biculturalism are assets that empower students to lead.
• Lead strategic planning for school growth, including facilities, enrollment, and resource management, ensuring that every decision aligns with ADS’s mission and the needs of the Washington Heights community.

The School Director will ensure that all students receive a rigorous bilingual education that promotes biliteracy, critical thinking, and high achievement across all content areas.

• Lead the design and implementation of a rigorous dual language program that promotes biliteracy, critical thinking, and high achievement.
• Oversee curriculum and assessments aligned with New York State standards and the ADS dual language framework.
• Coach and support teachers through regular feedback and professional development focused on language-rich, data-driven instruction.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of English language learners, students with disabilities, and diverse learners through culturally responsive practices.
• Collaborate with network leaders to align best practices, evaluate progress, and strengthen family engagement in students’ bilingual learning journeys.
• Model and uphold high expectations for every student’s success in both English and Spanish.

School Culture

The School Director will cultivate a joyful, inclusive environment where bilingualism, respect, and belonging are celebrated and lived daily.

• Build a joyful and inclusive culture grounded in ADS’s core values of Diversity, Respect, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Motivation.
• Foster belonging and collaboration among students, families, and staff through strong community structures and bilingual engagement.
• Promote student leadership and advocacy, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and school environment.
• Model restorative and culturally responsive practices that support growth, accountability, and safety.
• Celebrate bilingualism and biculturalism as assets that enrich the school community and student identity.
• Partner with families and community organizations to expand opportunities for learning, wellness, and cultural connection.

Cross-Functional Leadership

The School Director will foster strong collaboration and communication across all departments, ensuring alignment between academic, operational, and cultural priorities.

• Build strong relationships with students, families, staff, and network partners grounded in clear communication and shared accountability.
• Collaborate across academic, operational, and cultural teams to ensure systems are cohesive and mission-aligned.
• Communicate with clarity and purpose, fostering open dialogue and a solutions-oriented culture.
• Facilitate effective planning and meetings, ensuring clear goals, next steps, and follow-up.
• Represent the school and ADS network with professionalism, advancing collaboration and resource-sharing to strengthen the dual language mission.

School and Program Management

The School Director will build and sustain a mission-driven team, aligning people, systems, and resources to support student success and operational excellence.

• Hire, develop, and retain mission-driven, certified staff committed to bilingual excellence and student achievement.
• Oversee curriculum implementation and instructional quality, ensuring alignment with ADS’s dual language model.
• Lead evaluation and professional development cycles that promote continuous growth and instructional excellence.
• Manage systems for data, compliance, and operations in collaboration with network teams to meet all state and charter requirements.
• Oversee budgets and resources with transparency and alignment to school priorities.
• Continuously assess and refine school systems to improve efficiency, collaboration, and outcomes.

Position and Experience Requirements

• Minimum of five years of school leadership experience, with a proven record of improving academic outcomes and fostering inclusive culture.
• Able to communicate professionally in Spanish and English in writing and speech with a deep understanding of bilingual and dual language education at the high school level.
• Skilled in curriculum design, instructional leadership, and data-driven improvement that supports measurable student growth.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and retaining diverse, mission-aligned staff.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to build partnerships across students, families, and the network community.

Compensation

Salary range - 140,000 - 180,000

Competitive package, including benefits and retirement plan.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply along with their resume and cover letter. Cover letter required - applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed.