School Principal

School Description

Al-Hidaya School (AHS) is dedicated to delivering an education integrated with Islamic principles, values, and teachings. Located in Latham, NY, AHS offers a nurturing and faith-centered environment where students grow academically, spiritually, and morally. With a curriculum encompassing Islamic World View, Arabic, and core academic subjects, the school emphasizes a holistic approach grounded in Islamic values. AHS is committed to building a strong foundation for its students to foster knowledge, character, and love for Allah, following the prophetic model of Muhammad ﷺ.

About the Role

Al-Hidaya School seeks a principal who embodies the noble character (akhlaq) of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — someone whose leadership is defined not merely by credentials and competence, but by sincerity (ikhlas), humility, justice, compassion, and a deep love for knowledge and for those in their care. This is a role for someone who understands that education in the Islamic tradition is first and foremost the formation of character, and who lives that conviction in every interaction.

The principal will set the strategic direction of the school, guide curriculum development, build an exceptional team, and establish the operations and culture that will shape generations of Muslim students. Most importantly, they will be a living example — to students, staff, and the wider community — of what it means to be a person of faith, integrity, and excellence (ihsan). community.

Job Overview

The principal leads Al-Hidaya School with the understanding that their role is an amanah (trust) — a sacred responsibility before Allah ﷻ. They bring strong leadership and management skills, but ground every decision in Islamic values and the prophetic model of leadership: one that is consultative (shura), merciful, just, and always oriented toward the wellbeing of those being led. They build a sustainable foundation for the school while ensuring that modern, high-quality education and deep Islamic identity are not in tension — but are one and the same.

We are looking for someone who is dynamic and energetic — a person of action who does not just envision but executes. The right candidate has a track record of turning ideas into results, making sound decisions under pressure, and leading with clarity and confidence. They are forward-thinking, able to anticipate challenges before they arise, and proactive in positioning the school for long-term growth and impact. They bring momentum to everything they touch, and that energy is felt by staff, students, and families alike.

Time Commitment: Full Time

A Muslim Worldview at the Heart of Everything

A core conviction of Al-Hidaya School is that there is no meaningful separation between religious and secular knowledge. All knowledge, rightly understood, points back to Allah ﷻ. Mathematics, science, literature, history, and the arts are not secular subjects that happen to exist alongside Islamic studies — they are part of the same vast tapestry of divine wisdom that Muslims are called to explore, understand, and contribute to.

The principal we seek holds this worldview deeply and personally. They understand that when a child learns about the natural world, they are learning about the creation of Allah. When they study history, they are studying the rise and fall of civilizations in light of divine will. When they develop critical thinking and literacy, they are sharpening the tools of the mind that Islam has always honored. The principal brings this integrated perspective to every curriculum decision, every conversation with staff, and every message sent to parents — not as a theoretical position, but as a lived reality.

Our Commitment to Growing the Right Candidate

We are therefore fully committed to investing in the right person, even if they do not yet meet every qualification on paper.

If you have the character, the conviction, and the drive, we will walk alongside you. For candidates who are strong in Islamic knowledge and community leadership but need further development in educational management or administration, we will provide structured professional training, mentorship, and support to build those skills. For candidates who bring strong academic and leadership credentials but wish to deepen their grounding in Islamic sciences, we will facilitate access to qualified scholars, structured Islamic learning, and the time and resources needed to grow in that dimension.

We believe that tarbiyyah — the cultivation of a person — is not only what we do for our students. It is what we are prepared to do for the right leader. What cannot be taught is character. What can be built, with commitment and support on both sides, is everything else.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Leadership and Administration

• Lead the school with prophetic character as the guiding model — demonstrating patience, honesty, fairness, and humility in all aspects of school life.
• Provide visionary, forward-thinking leadership aligned with the school's mission of producing students who are grounded in their faith, excellent in their studies, and of benefit to their communities.
• Demonstrate a consistent track record of executing ideas — moving from vision to action with clarity, discipline, and follow-through.
• Make sound, timely decisions with confidence, drawing on both professional judgment and Islamic ethical principles.
• Foster a school culture where Islamic values are not a separate subject but the living spirit of everything that takes place — in the classroom, in the hallway, and in how staff are treated.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and high-achieving environment for students and staff.
• Oversee the hiring process, bringing on staff who share the school's commitment to Islamic character and academic excellence.
• Provide annual performance evaluations for all staff grounded in both professional standards and Islamic ethical conduct.
• Develop and manage the school budget responsibly, treating financial stewardship as part of the amanah of leadership.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with fire, health, safety, and licensing requirements.
• Maintain thorough documentation and record keeping in accordance with applicable laws and best practices.
• Maintain open, honest, and compassionate communication with parents.

Character and Professional Growth

• Continuously pursue personal growth in both Islamic knowledge and professional development — modeling for students and staff that seeking knowledge is a lifelong act of worship.
• Oversee the training and professional development of all staff, nurturing a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Represent the school at all times with dignity, courtesy, and the high moral standard befitting a Muslim leader.
• Promote a warm, caring, and spiritually uplifting climate for students, staff, and families.
• Actively integrate the Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ and Islamic ethics into school life, leadership decisions, conflict resolution, and community engagement.

Parent, Student, and Community Relationships

• Fulfill the duty of care for all students with the attentiveness and compassion that Islam demands of those entrusted with the young.
• Build genuine, trust-based relationships with families — treating every parent as a partner in the Islamic upbringing of their child.
• Communicate regularly and transparently with parents, ensuring they receive meaningful updates on their children's academic progress and character development.
• Engage parents as active participants in school life, drawing on the Islamic principle that the education of a child is a shared communal responsibility.
• Connect the school to the broader Muslim community — the masjid, local Islamic organizations, and wider civic life — so that students understand they belong to and are responsible for something larger than themselves.
• Market the school to the local and wider community with the aim of growing a student body whose families share the school's vision.
• Take the concerns and needs of staff, students, and parents seriously, responding with the fairness and attentiveness the Prophet ﷺ showed to all who came to him.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent qualification in educational leadership or school management — or a candidate actively working toward this with our support.
• Practicing Muslim of strong Islamic character with demonstrable knowledge of the Quran, Sunnah, and Islamic ethics as they apply to education and leadership — or a candidate committed to deepening this knowledge through a structured pathway we will provide.
• Deep personal commitment to embodying the prophetic model of leadership: consultative, humble, just, and compassionate.
• Demonstrated ability to execute — a track record of taking initiative, following through on plans, and delivering results.
• A dynamic, energetic personality with strong decision-making skills and a forward-thinking mindset.
• Previous teaching experience at the primary level with a strong understanding of elementary curriculum and pedagogy.
• Minimum 3 years of school management or leadership experience in a comparable setting — or demonstrated leadership in a community, organizational, or professional context with the capacity to grow into school management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and highly effective stakeholder relationship management.
• Experience building and sustaining high-performance teams rooted in shared values.
• Knowledge of child protection, health and safety, and relevant educational regulations.
• Budgeting and financial management experience preferred.
• A genuine love for children and a conviction that education, done well, is among the highest forms of service to the ummah.