Turnaround Principal

Helix Community Schools; Baker (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Helix Community Schools is seeking an experienced Turnaround Principal at Baker High School to lead transformational change and drive measurable improvements in student achievement and school culture.

The ideal candidate will lead with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, building a high-performing school where every student and staff member can thrive.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education or Educational Leadership.
• Valid Louisiana Educational Leader or Principal Certification (or eligibility).
• Doctorate preferred is noted in the listing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive school improvement and turnaround plan aligned with district and state priorities.
• Provide strong instructional leadership by coaching and developing teachers and instructional staff to improve student achievement.
• Build and sustain a positive school culture rooted in high expectations, accountability, equity, and respect.
• Analyze student performance data to identify growth areas and implement evidence-based strategies.
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain high-quality educators and staff.
• Foster partnerships with students, families, community organizations, and district leadership.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive learning environment and manage operations and budgets effectively.
• Collaborate with district leaders and external partners to monitor progress and implement initiatives.
• Promote continuous improvement through strategic planning and regular evaluation of school performance.

Skills

Educational leadership

Turnaround expertise

Data-driven decisions

Curriculum knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Staff development

Education

Master's degree in Education

Louisiana Principal Certification

Doctorate preferred

Job description

Job Title: Turnaround Principal

Location: Baker High School

Position Overview

Baker High School is seeking an experienced, visionary Turnaround Principal to lead transformational change and drive measurable improvements in student achievement, school culture, and operational excellence. This is an opportunity for a passionate educational leader to build a high-performing school where every student and staff member can thrive.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with a proven record of improving academic outcomes, developing strong instructional teams, and creating a positive, student-centered learning environment. This individual will lead with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive school improvement and turnaround plan aligned with district and state priorities.
• Provide strong instructional leadership by coaching and developing teachers and instructional staff to improve student achievement.
• Build and sustain a positive school culture rooted in high expectations, accountability, equity, and respect.
• Analyze student performance data to identify areas for growth and implement evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Recruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain high-quality educators and staff who are committed to student success.
• Foster meaningful partnerships with students, families, community organizations, and district leadership.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes both academic excellence and student well-being.
• Manage school operations, budgets, compliance requirements, and campus resources effectively.
• Collaborate with district leaders and external partners to implement improvement initiatives and monitor progress.
• Promote continuous improvement through strategic planning, goal setting, and regular evaluation of school performance.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field. Doctorate preferred.
• Valid Louisiana Educational Leader or Principal Certification (or eligibility to obtain certification).
• Minimum of 3–5 years of successful school leadership experience, preferably as a principal or assistant principal.
• Demonstrated success improving student achievement and leading sustainable school improvement efforts.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive school culture where all students can succeed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading school turnaround initiatives or working in high-needs school environments.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), restorative practices, and trauma-informed education.
• Experience implementing strategic improvement plans and leading organizational change.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.

Why Join Baker High School?

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of students, staff, and the Baker community. We are seeking a leader who is passionate about educational excellence, embraces innovation, and is committed to creating meaningful, lasting change.

If you are a transformational leader who thrives on building strong teams and improving student outcomes, we encourage you to apply.