K8 Principal - Academics and Arts K–8

Adams 12 Five Star Schools; Wyco (WV); On-site; USD 116,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Adams 12 Five Star Schools in Thornton, CO seeks an innovative K-8 Academics and Arts Leader with a Colorado Principal License to guide instructional excellence and student belonging through an arts-enhanced program.

The principal will foster collaborative teacher development, align accreditation standards, and build partnerships with high school arts and CTE programs to expand pathways for students, while upholding district policies and safety.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education Administration with Colorado Principal Licensure requirements.
• Five years of teaching/administration experience, including at least three years as a teacher.
• Completion of district training for supervision of Classified Staff.

Responsibilities

• Articulate belief system through voice and actions, leading the school and communicating vision.
• Provide instructional leadership with knowledge of current curriculum, instruction, and assessment research.
• Assess classroom instruction by monitoring, visibility, walkthroughs, and behavior structure.
• Lead accreditation processes, align instruction with standards, and discuss data with staff three times a year.
• Foster an adult learning environment and collaboration to improve instruction.
• Organize operations around improving instruction, manage budgets, facilities and public relations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Diversity awareness

Curriculum leadership

Safety planning

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Education Administration + Colorado Principal License

Master's degree in Education Administration plus additional course work required for Colorado Principal

Job description

• Date Posted: 10/8/2026
• Location: K-8 Magnet School (Wyco Location)
• Closing Date: 10/18/2026

FULL SALARY RANGE: P02 (minimum: $116,203- mid-point: $148,978- maximum: $181,753)

The maximum placement for new hires is based upon experience and typically does not exceed the mid-point of the range

FTE: 1.0

MONTHS PER YEAR: 10

JOB CODE: 061115

POSITION TYPE: New

LOCATION: Thornton, CO

****INTERNAL ONLY - This position is only open to current Adams 12 administrators****

Academics and Arts K-8 Leadership Profile

In alignment with the school's foundational vision, Adams 12 Five Star Schools seeks an innovative, visionary leader to establish a culture focused on academic rigor, sense of belonging, and a dedicated emphasis on the arts throughout a K8 educational model. The ideal candidate will be a pioneering administrator who empowers educators in delivering high-quality instruction, fosters a unique learning environment tailored to K8 students while maintaining an arts enhanced approach, and advances professional growth through continuous, collaborative teacher development. Additionally, the principal must demonstrate a firm commitment to fostering academic and social belonging through inclusive educational practices and a deep appreciation for neurodiversity. Finally, the incoming leader will proactively cultivate strategic community and industry partnerships, collaborating directly with high school arts and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to expand pathways and opportunities for students.

SUMMARY:

Demonstrate effective instruction leadership skills that provide focus on student achievement. Guide the development of a caring collaborative community that includes all stakeholders in the school. Provide purpose and vision for the school. Manage the human resources to ensure an orderly work and learning environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Articulate belief system through voice and actions, leading the school in a clear focus, communicating your vision for the school, and being the change agent when necessary.
2. Articulate effective instructional practices by providing intellectual stimulation, being actively involved in, and having knowledge of current research in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
3. Assesses quality of classroom instruction by monitoring, being visible, conducting walk throughs regularly, communicating, and providing a clear behavior structure and atmosphere.
4. Implement an accountability system through the district accreditation process, aligning instruction with state and district standards, using the district evaluation system, providing expectations for an orderly atmosphere, holding data discussions with staff and teachers three times a year, and adapting to the needs of the current situation by seeking input.
5. Establish and foster an adult learning environment by maximizing collaboration and adult learning to improve instruction, providing teachers with materials, inspiring new and challenging innovations, and valuing a sense of community.
6. Organize school operations around improvement of instruction by maintaining a safe and orderly environment, upholding state laws, contracts and district policies, managing personnel, maintaining facility to provide a quality learning environment, efficiently managing financial resources, establishing effective public relationships, and coordinating effective instructional programs with a master schedule.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree plus additional coursework required to obtain a Colorado Principal License.
• Minimum of five years of experience in teaching/administration, including a minimum of three years of teaching.
• District Classified Evaluation System, Facilitating Improved performance, Progressive Discipline, Conflict Management and Interviewing & Hiring courses required within one year after entering position.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:

• Colorado Principal License.

BUDGET AND/OR RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• Solely responsible for developing, administering, monitoring and coordinating the school's following budgets: operating, instructional, co-curricular, gifted and talented, leadership, fundraising, special education and athletics.
• Solely responsible for initiating requisitions from the aforementioned budgets.

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree in Education Administration plus additional course work required for Colorado Principal.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in teaching/administration, with a minimum of three (3) of those years employed as a teacher or special services provider, (SSP).
• Must successfully complete current district training for supervision of Classified Staff.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:

• Criminal background check required for hire.
• Colorado Principal License.
• Must possess the required license or the ability to fulfill the requirements for the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Excellent interpersonal relations and oral and written communication skills.
• Advanced skill in dealing with students and staff with diverse needs at various levels.
• Basic microcomputer and software skills.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge or ability to develop, monitor and evaluate curriculum, discipline plans and supervision/safety plans (RDPs).
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations.
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, Superintendent policies, building and department procedures.
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds. Willingness to contribute to cultural diversity for educational enrichment.
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

BUDGET AND/OR RESOURCE RESPONSIBILITY:

• Solely responsible for developing, administering, monitoring and coordinating the school's following budgets: operating, instructional, co-curricular, gifted and talented, leadership, fundraising, special education and athletics.
• Solely responsible for initiating requisitions from the aforementioned budgets.

SALARY INFORMATION:

The salary listed is for full time positions (1.0 FTE). This salary will be adjusted, as needed, based upon the FTE. Administrative employees' salary will be commensurate on the employees' education and/or work experience. For additional information, please review our Administrative Compensation Program or review our Administrative Salary Schedule .

BENEFITS INFORMATION:

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is committed to providing an environment that promotes a healthy employee population able to serve our students at the highest level. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance as well as other programs for benefit eligible employees. The employee assistance program, voluntary life insurance through PERA, and 401(k), 403(b) & 457(b) plans are available to all employees regardless of hours worked and are available immediately (upon hire date). To learn more about our benefits, including paid time off, please see our Benefits Overview.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is deeply committed to a community of excellence, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We commit to eliminate the predictability of who is included in excellence and who is not. Adams 12 Five Star Schools puts students first and supports our district's mission to elevate student success for every student every day in every classroom. Candidates who can contribute to our goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

THIS POSTING IS NOT INCLUSIVE OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION.

Rev 9/25