Founding Principal

Wasatch Peak Academy; Oregon; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wasatch Peak Academy in Utah is seeking an exceptional educational leader to become the Founding Principal of our new Far West campus, with an initial period at the North Salt Lake campus beginning Fall 2026 to learn WPA culture and systems.

Starting Spring 2027, the principal will lead campus development, staff recruitment, instructional leadership, and family engagement to ensure a strong culture and a successful opening in Fall 2027.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Valid Utah administrative license, eligibility for Utah administrative licensure, or willingness and ability to obtain administrative licensure.
• Experience working in an elementary school setting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, development, and eventual operation of the new Far West campus.
• Oversee campus operations, enrollment, staffing, and daily school resources.
• Recruit, interview, select, and onboard teachers and support staff.
• Provide instructional leadership and ensure MTSS/data-driven practices.
• Foster a welcoming culture for students and families and build community partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organization

Collaboration

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

About Wasatch Peak Academy

This is a high-performing K--6 charter school with a long history of academic success, strong student achievement, and a supportive school community. For years, WPA has been committed to providing students with a rigorous, engaging education while creating a school environment where teachers, students, and families feel known, valued, and supported.

As our school continues to grow, we are excited to open a new Wasatch Peak Academy campus in the Far West area in Fall 2027.

We are seeking an exceptional educational leader to join our team and become the Founding Principal of our new campus.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced school leader to become part of the WPA team before the new campus opens.

The Selected Candidate Will Begin Working At Our Established North Salt Lake Campus During Fall 2026. This Initial Period Will Provide An Opportunity To

• Learn the Wasatch Peak Academy culture, mission, and educational model.
• Develop strong relationships with WPA teachers, staff, students, and families.
• Become familiar with our academic programs, curriculum, assessment systems, and instructional expectations.
• Learn our systems for student support, behavior, attendance, school operations, and family communication.
• Work alongside WPA administration and participate in school leadership responsibilities.
• Gain firsthand experience with the systems and practices that have contributed to WPA's academic success.
• Build an understanding of how to maintain the culture and expectations that make WPA a special place for students and staff.

Beginning in spring 2027, the principal will take on an increasingly significant leadership role in preparing for the opening of the Far West campus. This will include helping to build the campus from the ground up and preparing for a successful first day in Fall 2027.

Founding Principal Responsibilities

The Founding Principal will lead the planning, development, and eventual operation of the new Far West campus.

Responsibilities Will Include

Campus Development & Opening

• Partner with WPA leadership to plan and execute the opening of the new campus.
• Help establish the culture, traditions, systems, and expectations of the new school.
• Develop operational procedures for the new campus.
• Coordinate preparations for facilities, technology, safety, supplies, transportation, student services, and daily operations.
• Develop timelines and systems necessary for a successful school opening.
• Work closely with the existing WPA leadership team to replicate successful systems while adapting them appropriately for the new campus.

Staff Recruitment & Development

• Lead the recruitment, interviewing, selection, and onboarding of teachers and support staff.
• Build a strong founding team aligned with WPA's mission and educational philosophy.
• Develop meaningful relationships with prospective employees.
• Support new staff in learning WPA's curriculum, instructional practices, culture, and expectations.
• Establish systems for teacher mentoring, professional development, collaboration, and ongoing feedback.
• Build a positive, collaborative staff culture from the beginning.

Instructional Leadership

• Maintain WPA's commitment to strong academic achievement and student growth.
• Provide instructional leadership and support to teachers.
• Monitor student achievement and use data to identify areas of strength and need.
• Support implementation of WPA curric

ulum and instructional practices.

• Establish systems for intervention, enrichment, and student support.
• Promote high expectations while ensuring students receive the support necessary to succeed.

Student & Family Experience

• Create a welcoming and supportive school culture for students and families.
• Establish lear expectations for student behavior, attendance, and character.
• Build strong relationships with families and the surrounding community.
• Develop systems for effective parent communication and engagement.
• Help create the traditions and identity that will become part of the new campus culture.

School Leadership & Operations

• Oversee day-to-day campus operations.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and productive learning environment.
• Implement school policies and procedures consistently and fairly.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, staffing, scheduling, and school resources.
• Work collaboratively with WPA's network and leadership team.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and charter-school requirements.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for an educational leader who is relational, organized, instructional, collaborative, and mission-driven.

The Ideal Candidate Will

• Have successful experience in school leadership, preferably as a principal, assistant principal, instructional leader, or comparable role.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to student achievement.
• Understand effective elementary education and instructional practices.
• Have experience hiring, developing, and retaining excellent teachers.
• Be highly organized and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with teachers, students, families, and community members.
• Build strong relationships while maintaining high expectations.
• Be comfortable creating systems and solving problems in a growing organization.
• Have the ability to balance the immediate needs of a school with long-term planning.
• Demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a willingness to be involved in the many details associated with opening a new school.
• Be excited about the opportunity to build something new while benefiting from the experience and support of an established school community.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Valid Utah administrative license, eligibility for Utah administrative licensure, or willingness and ability to obtain administrative licensure.
• Experience working in an elementary school setting.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred

• Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field.
• Previous principal or assistant principal experience.
• Experience opening, launching, or significantly growing a school or program.
• Experience with teacher recruitment and development.
• Experience with data-driven instructional leadership and MTSS.
• Experience in a charter-school environment.
• Willingness to train and develop needed skill sets.
• Why Join Wasatch Peak Academy?

The founding principal will have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside an established, successful school before launching a new campus.

Rather than beginning the new school alone, the principal will enter the role with the benefit of:

• An established school model and proven systems.
• An experienced lea

• A strong academic foundation.
• Established curriculum and instructional practices.
• Support from the North Salt Lake campus.
• A collaborative professional community.
• The opportunity to help shape a brand-new campus and its culture from the beginning.

This position is an exciting opportunity for a school leader who wants to take on a significant leadership challenge while having the support, mentorship, and resources of an established school community.

Timeline

Fall 2026

Join Wasatch Peak Academy at the North Salt Lake campus. Become immersed in WPA's culture, programming, systems, curriculum, and leadership practices.

Winter 2026--27

Begin increasi