School Principal

Acceleration Academies; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

401(k) with company match

Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Flexible Paid Time Off

Wellness Support

Professional Development

Bonus Opportunities

Job summary

Acceleration Academies in Ocala, Florida is looking for an Academy Director to lead our innovative educational programs aimed at re-engaging young adults. This full-time role involves direct supervision of staff, operational management, and fostering a positive school culture.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree, preferably a Master’s, and at least 7 years of educational experience. Competitive salary of up to $110,000 with comprehensive benefits is offered, including retirement plans and wellness support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of relevant education experience, including at least 3 years in a direct supervisory role.
• Educational Leadership endorsement in the state of employment highly preferred.
• Experience with competency-based learning and alternative school models.

Responsibilities

• Lead educational team and manage operational processes.
• Ensure compliance for all ESE and ESOL individualized learning plans.
• Maintain documentation for graduation including course completion and GPA.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Data-driven decision-making

Staff development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree in education or related field

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

• 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 technology and 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, 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 organizationsli>
• Oversee positive relationship building and collaboration among staff, Graduation Candidates, and their families
• Facilitate 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
• Perform other related duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education or a related field preferred.

Certification: Educational Leadership endorsement in the state of employment highly preferred.

Experience: Minimum 7 years of relevant education experience, including at least 3 years in a direct supervisory role.

Skills: Visionary leadership, data‑driven decision‑making, staff development, and stakeholder engagement.

Passion: A deep commitment to serving non‑traditional learners and improving student outcomes through innovative education models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with competency‑based learning, project‑based education, and alternative school models
• Proficient in ESE, ELL, and behavior intervention practices
• Experience reviewing transcripts and general understanding of graduation requirements
• Experience providing supports, interventions, and counseling services with high‑school‑aged youth
• Comfort using digital tools and data systems to drive instruction and operations

Why Join Us?

Being part of Acceleration Academies means joining a team dedicated to transforming student outcomes. Here, you’ll directly impact lives, championing students’ growth, resilience, and path to graduation.

We Value Our Team’s Well‑being

• Competitive Compensation: up to $110,000
• 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?

If you’re passionate about making a meaningful impact and shaping the future of education, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in redefining what’s possible for students everywhere.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• 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 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.