Principal

Manhattan Charter School for the Curious Minds; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Manhattan Charter School on the Lower East Side seeks an Elementary School Principal to lead instructional and operational excellence, ensuring a safe, inclusive environment where students can excel. You will manage staff and daily operations, foster strong family partnerships, and align school performance with the charter network’s mission, vision, and values.

The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, professional growth for teachers, and rigorous accountability to raise achievement for

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education or related field.
• State certification as School Building Leader (SBL) or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in education, including teaching and leadership.
• Proven track record of improving student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of elementary curriculum and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience in charter school or urban school setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum development and instructional practices aligned with standards.
• Analyze student data to inform instruction and professional development.
• Provide coaching and PD to teachers and staff.
• Foster high expectations, accountability for staff and students.
• Oversee daily operations, enrollment, and compliance with regulations.
• Manage budget and resources.
• Engage families and build partnerships.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Lead staff evaluations and professional growth.
• Prepare for authorizer site visits and audits.
• Stay current with state and federal policies.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Charter/urban experience

Education

Master’s degree in Education or related field

Job description

Manhattan Charter School is a high-performing charter school located on the Lower East Side in New York City. The School is committed to providing its students with the tools and support necessary for success. Since its founding in 2005 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Manhattan Charter School (MCS) has consistently achieved high levels of success.

Our vision is to offer a high-quality, public school education that will help close the opportunity, imagination, and achievement gaps for our high-need students by empowering, inspiring, and equipping them to fulfill their potential.

Our mission is to teach our students how to learn and love doing it, how to cultivate their curious minds for the rest of their lives, and how to develop a solid foundation on which to base wise choices and build meaningful lives.

Mission

MCS will prepare its students to achieve high academic levels in the four core academic subject areas and music, to communicate effectively in verbal, mathematical and musical languages, and to apply critical thinking processes and ethical standards to learning, living and problem solving.

Manhattan Charter School (MCS) is a high performing charter school in New York City, committed to providing every child with the tools and support necessary for success. We are located on the Lower East Side. MCS prides itself on delivering rigorous academic instruction and fostering a culture of high expectations.

Position Summary

The Elementary School Principal will serve as the instructional and operational leader of the school, ensuring that all students achieve academic excellence within a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. The principal will be responsible for managing staff, overseeing daily operations, fostering strong relationships with families, and aligning the school’s performance with the charter network’s mission, vision, and values.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality curriculum and instructional practices that align with state standards and school goals.
• Analyze student achievement data and use it to inform instructional decisions, interventions, and professional development.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and professional development to teachers and staff to ensure effective instructional practices.
• Foster a culture of high expectations, continuous improvement, and accountability for staff and students.

Operational Leadership

• Oversee the daily operations of the school, including scheduling, student enrollment, and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage the school budget and resources effectively to ensure alignment with priorities and financial sustainability.
• Ensure a safe, clean, and well-maintained physical environment that supports learning.

Student and Family Engagement

• Promote a school culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and supports the social-emotional well-being of all students.
• Build strong partnerships with families, engaging them as active participants in their children’s education.
• Address student behavior with a trauma-informed, restorative approach that prioritizes growth and accountability.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain high-performing staff members who are committed to the school’s mission and vision.
• Build a collaborative and supportive team culture focused on achieving ambitious outcomes for students.
• Conduct evaluations of staff performance and provide actionable feedback aligned with professional growth.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure the school adheres to all charter authorizer requirements, including reporting, compliance, and accountability metrics.
• Lead preparations for authorizer site visits, audits, and other evaluations.
• Stay current with all state and federal education policies to ensure full compliance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, School Administration, or a related field.
• State certification as a School Building Leader (SBL) or equivalent (as required).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in education, including teaching and school leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success in improving student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of elementary curriculum, instructional strategies, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working in a charter school or urban school setting preferred.

Skills And Attributes

• Passion for the mission of providing high-quality education to all students, especially those in underserved communities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Cultural competence and a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Courage to make decisions aligned with the school’s vision and mission, even in challenging circumstances.

Core Values Alignment

• Demonstrates curiosity, opportunity, and courage in all leadership practices, reflecting the values of the charter school network.

Compensation

$100,000 - $150,000 per year

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Manhattan Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.