School Principal

Acceleration Academies; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation starts at $85

401(k) with up to 4% match

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Flexible Paid Time Off

Wellness program

Job summary

Acceleration Academies seeks an Academy Director (School Principal) to lead a site’s operations and instructional program, ensuring alignment with re-engagement and graduation goals.

The role supervises educators and staff, partners with districts and communities, and reports to the Regional Vice President. It requires proven leadership, data-driven decisions, and commitment to underserved learners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Secondary Principal certification (grades 9-12) required, or actively in process of obtaining it.
• South Carolina Educator Certification required; SC 4.0 Certified Evaluator experience is a plus.
• 3–5 years of leadership experience with final decision-making authority (principal, director, CEO, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead enrollment through recruitment and engagement.
• Lead the implementation of GC Orientation.
• Lead Friday Fidelity Forum meetings focused on data review and collaboration.
• Support the Career Life Coach in developing Graduation Candidate learning pathways and progress tracking.
• Build and maintain partnerships with districts and community organizations.
• Oversee site‑level staff scheduling and compliance with district requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Data-driven

Performance management

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in education or related field

SC 4.0 Certified Evaluator experience (a plus)

Job description

At Acceleration Academies, we believe in transforming the lives of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling to achieve their high school diploma through personalized, flexible learning and innovative educational practices, we empower young adults to earn their high school diploma tuition-free. Partnering with school districts nationwide, our dropout recovery and student re-engagement programs are supported by cutting-edge technology and a commitment to compassionate, impactful teaching.

The Role

As an Academy Director (School Principal), you will serve as the operational and instructional leader of your academy site(s), ensuring alignment to our mission of helping young adults re-engage with their education and achieve postsecondary success. You will lead a team of educators and support staff, foster a positive and inclusive school culture, and collaborate with district partners and community stakeholders. This role blends strategic oversight with hands‑on support, requiring a visionary leader who can coach staff, drive student outcomes, and manage academy operations with excellence.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on execution, ideal for someone ready to take the next step into leadership or expand their impact as a school leader. You will partner closely with district leaders, community organizations, and internal teams to ensure your academy delivers on its mission: re‑engaging young adults and guiding them toward graduation and postsecondary success.

This is a full‑time, in‑person position reporting to the Regional Vice President.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new GC enrollment through recruitment and engagement efforts.
• Lead the implementation of GC Orientation.
• Lead Friday Fidelity Forum meetings focused on data review and collaboration.
• Support the Career Life Coach in the development of Graduation Candidate individual learning pathways and individual support plans to gauge individual Graduation Candidate progress.

Retention

• Train and lead staff in the use of the Retention Cycle Protocol.
• Create and maintain a positive school culture, and lead the instructional and/or operational vision of the Acceleration Academy program.
• Advocate and support site‑level incentive programs.
• Use Incite® and other Learning Management Systems to track Graduation Candidate progress, assign interventions, and support course completion as determined in individual Graduation Candidate learning pathways.
• Complete all required data formulation for all AA reports, including local, state, and federal compliance of all ESE and ELL programs.
• Lead the staff in the collection and analysis of data for instructional decision‑making.
• Lead the staff in the documentation and tracking of GC progress and the assignment of academic interventions to support on‑time course completions as determined by the Personalized Learning Plans for GCs.
• Maintain all required documentation for graduation, including course completion, GPA, and standardized testing requirements.
• Ensure compliance for all ESE and ESOL individualized learning plans.
• Implement weekly workshops that focus on non‑academic topics.

Leadership & Advocacy

• Lead and manage staff, keeping them strongly connected to the mission of Acceleration Academies.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the Academy and the District, as well as the Academy and community organizations.
• Oversee positive relationship building and collaboration among staff, Graduation Candidates, and their families.
• Build and maintain community, business, and family partnerships, including facilitating communications with community organizations to support the removal of non‑academic barriers for GCs (health, social services, mental health, law enforcement).
• Create schedules for employees to ensure adequate and effective staffing at all sites.
• Provide ongoing feedback and support in the growth and development of all staff members connected to goals and milestones.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning aligned to best practices in charter leadership and educational innovation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Compliance

• Maintain compliance with the various requirements of the SCPCSD.
• Support academy budget planning and oversee day‑to‑day safety practices, in addition to staffing and scheduling, as part of the broader charter compliance picture.

Desired Attributes

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in education or a related field preferred.
• Certification: Secondary Principal certification (grades 9‑12) required, or actively in process of obtaining it. South Carolina Educator Certification required. SC 4.0 Certified Evaluator experience is a plus,
• Experience: 3 to 5 years of leadership experience with demonstrated effectiveness in a role carrying final decision‑making authority (principal, director, CEO, or equivalent). This is not an entry point for first‑time principals or assistant‑level leaders.
• Skills: A principal mindset with experience owning outcomes; data‑driven and systems‑oriented leadership with a strong focus on key performance metrics including attendance, course completion, credit attainment, and enrollment; proven ability to implement interventions, manage performance, and drive continuous improvement; and a calming demeanor paired with clear, direct communication and the willingness to initiate candid conversations in service of the team and community, including with people whose backgrounds and identities differ from your own.
• Passion: A deep commitment to serving underserved and historically marginalized communities, and comfort championing alternative education models in a mission‑driven, turnaround‑style environment.
• Nice to Have: Charter school experience, familiarity with South Carolina's state report card and compliance landscape, and prior experience as a teacher evaluator.

We Value Our Team’s Well‑being

Competitive Compensation: starts at $85,000

Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA, Company Paid Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance options are available to protect you and your loved ones.

Flexible Paid Time Off: Encouraging a healthy work‑life balance through adaptable FTO.

Wellness Support: Employer‑paid financial wellness programs and access to mental health resources

Employee Referral Incentives: Rewarding you for helping us grow our team

Professional Development: Certification reimbursement and ongoing learning opportunities

Bonus Opportunities: Celebrating milestones and achievements

Physical & Work Environment

• Regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands
• Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds
• Work in a collaborative classroom or office setting and may involve exposure to outdoor weather during events
• Occasional travel between nearby academy sites may be required to support student needs or operational coverage

Ready to Make a Difference?

Third-Party Agency & Recruiter Notice for Acceleration Academies

Agencies presenting candidates must have an active, nonexpired Master Services Agreement and be formally engaged by an Acceleration Academies Recruiter. Resumes submitted outside these terms will be considered the property of Acceleration Academies.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Acceleration Academies is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Consistent, reliable attendance during scheduled work hours

On‑site presence (for roles designated as in‑person/onsite)

Management of assigned workload and productivity expectations

Ability to perform job functions in an open, student‑centered workspace

If you believe you may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the role, Acceleration Academies will engage in an interactive process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please note that accommodations cannot remove essential job functions or fundamentally alter the nature of the role.