Director of Schools

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 20 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 6,800 alumni to and through college and beyond.

What We Believe

KIPP SoCal believes that the purpose of education is for liberation. This means that we see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all of our KIPPsters.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Job Overview

The Director of Schools is responsible for the health and performance of a portfolio of schools so that students realize their greatest potential. The approach to achieving outcomes for students is grounded in the Leading For Learning actions across School Health Continuum elements from an equitable lens. These are the desired outcomes for the role:

Ensure all schools within a portfolio achieve an overall school health score of at least a  3 in each element on the school health continuum and/or grow one level of proficiency in at least three elements, with a trajectory toward high health. Regularly evaluate each school's performance against the School Health Continuum, diagnose strengths and areas for growth, and differentiate support plans by creating targeted interventions that accelerate progress toward high overall school health.

Drive student achievement within a portfolio of schools, with 90-100% of students demonstrating mastery of content standards, performing at or above grade level or meeting their stretch goals as measured by formative and summative assessments (i.e. iReady).Ensure that schools in their portfolio have 100% fidelity to all curriculum, assessments, and instructional practices as outlined by KIPP SoCal’s Teaching and Learning team

Facilitate healthy teaching and learning practices within portfolio of schools, resulting in at least 75% of teachers identified as demonstrating or exemplifying as measured by identified domains/standards on the KIPP SoCal Teacher Practice Rubric.

Drive leadership pipeline development across all schools by ensuring school leaders annually identify 12–16% of teachers with leadership potential, maintain at least two "ready now" ASL candidates per school, and prepare ASLs to be ready for school leadership within two years across core content areas and specialized populations. Monitor pipeline progress, intervene when gaps emerge, and ensure leadership identification, development, and readiness goals are met across schools.

Drive the cultivation of strong, inclusive, and mission-driven staff culture across all schools by holding school leaders accountable for meeting or exceeding staff retention goals and achieving continuous improvement in team member experience.Monitor and analyze staff retention and team experience data across schools to identify trends, risks, and bright spots, and proactively coach and partner with school leaders to implement strategies that address gaps, scale best practices, and foster positive, inclusive work environments.

Cultivate school culture and climate health within the school community by effectively addressing and working to resolve community member inquiries that elevate to them within 72 hours to foster trust and maintain strong family-school partnerships.

Ensure all schools in their portfolio demonstrate operational excellence and long-term sustainability by meeting governance and compliance requirements, achieving enrollment and attendance targets, maintaining fiscal health, retaining high-quality leadership, and demonstrating an upward trajectory of academic outcomes — ensuring all schools remain on track for successful charter renewal.

Build and sustain a performance management–focused culture across all schools by developing high-quality school leaders, retaining top leaders, and addressing underperformance through coaching, accountability, and decisive actions, as needed.

Applications for this role will close on May 14, 2025.

Anticipated final decision timeline is the week of June 15, 2025.

This role requires considerable on campus work in our LA schools.

• Coach and manage School Leaders to drive healthy, high-performing KIPP SoCal Public Schools
• Communicate with and invest School Leaders in the region’s vision and goals 
• Analyze each school in his/her/their portfolio using the School Health Continuum to co-create with the School Leader a differentiated plan to improve all schools
• Preparing for high-leverage time with School Leaders including data analysis and progress monitoring
• Ensure the focus on the priority work and progress monitor goals related to Charter Renewal standards
• Develop the skill set of School Leaders in each of the Leading For Learning actions by: 
• Coaching to drive priority and improve each aspect of the School Health Continuum
• Modeling both technical and adaptive instructional leadership behaviors
• Getting “on-the-ground” at each school, collect evidence to identify school and School Leader strengths to leverage, and design action steps to address gaps
• Observing classrooms with School Leaders and aligning on teacher practice to drive student outcomes 
• Designing and leading professional development opportunities
• Supporting School Leaders in their prioritization and planning; includes leading School Leaders through planning cycles, data reflecting on progress to goals 
• Ensure the region and its schools create strong and equitable learning environments 
• Develop strong leadership pipelines and staffing for each KIPP SoCal Public School through regional talent development practices including observing School Leaders’ development of their Assistant School Leaders and Deans and progress monitoring of their development plans towards school leadership
• Support schools, team members, and families through complaints and concerns 
• May be responsible for managing and developing KIPP SoCal Public School’s School Leader Fellows through weekly meetings and support in the creation of the School Design Plan
• Engage in processes to select and onboard School Leaders, School Leader Fellows, Assistant School Leaders, and Deans
• Attend Director of Schools and other meetings to provide feedback and information on schools 
• Lead team members across SST departments within a portfolio to ensure coordinated support of all schools
• Collaborate with other SST departments to improve the quality of service to schools
• Serve as a point of contact for SST members seeking feedback
• Foster a community working together in realization of our purpose
• May step in as Interim School Leader
• Other responsibilities as assigned

• Bachelor’s Degree (required)
• At least 5 years of teaching experience, preferably charter schools
• At least 2 years of School Leadership (as a principal) experience, preferably charter schools; strongest candidates will have 5 or more years as a school principal
• Track record of success supporting schools that have been historically underserved and support diverse learners
• Experience managing or coaching school leaders from multiple schools on key academic initiatives is desirable; the strongest candidates will have developed leaders into principals and coached other sitting principals
• A deep passion for social justice and equity for all children; believes that all students can achieve at the highest levels, regardless of demography
• Experience leading a high-performing school, preferable charter school
• Experience providing well-rounded professional development to teachers and leaders 
• Excellent project management skills
• Experience leading teams to drive results
• Flexibility, with a strong work ethic 
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across teams and schools
• Results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP SoCal Public Schools’ mission and core values

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $149,800 to $224,700 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $187,500 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous paid time off program includes 22 holidays, 10 sick days, and 10 vacation days per year
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.