What are the responsibilities and job description for the 26-27 School Principal - Stella Middle Charter Academy position at BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS?
Principal Job Description
26-27 School Year
Job Description: Principal
Reporting to: Senior VP of Leadership Development
Status: Full Time, Exempt, 12 months
Who we are:
Bright Star Schools is a free, publicly funded and open enrollment non-profit organization with nine public charters in urban Los Angeles. Across all of our Bright Star sites, over 90% of our students are eligible for free and reduced lunch.
Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy in higher education, career, and life. Bright Star students will become leaders who act with integrity and champion equity to enrich our communities and the world. The framework to our success is our core operating principles, which are Integridad, Ubuntu, Kohyang (고향), and Growth.
Our educators join a family that is passionate and committed to developing all students to become well rounded citizens. We offer small class sizes, comprehensive coordinator support, and numerous collaboration opportunities across the organization and within school sites. We strongly believe in listening to all stakeholders’ voices, and we work to increase teaching practice and effectiveness through our data-driven and feedback-derived professional development.
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Bright Star Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.
Principal Role Summary:
A Bright Star Schools Principal is an inspiring instructional and cultural leader who sets and achieves a shared vision for high academic outcomes and emotional well-being for all students by creating equitable, restorative, and transformative systems. As the instructional leader and visionary, the Principal works with the school leadership team, School Support Team, teachers, families, partners, and other Bright Star schools to deliver high-quality educational programs. While delegating operational decisions appropriately, the Principal remains accountable for execution, ensuring a safe and positive learning environment, effective instructional programs, and strong family and community partnerships. The Principal drives positive student achievement and growth by fostering a strong adult and student culture, leading the school’s vision, managing the leadership team, and coaching staff to support a well-rounded school experience.
What you’ll do
Basic Components of the Job Description for the Principal position include (but are not limited to):
Personal Leadership
● Set high expectations for student academic achievement and behavior, believing all students can excel regardless of background.
● Make mission-aligned, student-focused decisions that support student achievement and whole child development.
● Model collaboration, maintain a growth mindset, and adapt leadership strategies to meet the needs of students, staff, and the community.
● Foster a positive, equitable, and inclusive school climate while building strong relationships and leading with self-awareness and resilience.
Team Leadership and Talent Management
● Manage and supervise 15-50 school personnel, including leadership team members, teachers, counselors, and support staff, while leading proactive recruitment and hiring of mission-aligned staff.
● Train, coach, and oversee leadership development, instructional practices, and family engagement initiatives, including Parent-Principal meetings.
● Utilize data analysis to inform strategic decisions on budgeting, master scheduling, instructional strategies, and professional development, ensuring balanced finances and cost-effective measures.
● Oversee school operations, ensuring a safe and healthy environment, and lead external communications with parents, LAUSD, community partners, and other stakeholders.
Instructional Leadership
● Provide instructional leadership by guiding and coaching teachers, ensuring effective teaching, formative assessment, and differentiated instruction, including specialized programs for English Language Learners and students with IEPs.
● Monitor and evaluate student achievement through summative assessments, gradebooks, and progress reports, ensuring no achievement gaps among subgroups and tracking year-end academic metrics.
● Design and implement professional development plans, serving as an advisor or mentor for credential renewal, and evaluate teachers consistently using a vetted rubric for feedback and growth.
● Oversee accountability systems, maintain compliance with Inclusive Education requirements, and ensure all instructional practices align with Bright Star Schools’ standards and expectations.
Positive and Productive School Culture Leadership
● Communicate the school’s vision and goals clearly to ensure understanding and commitment from a diverse community of parents, students, staff, and board members.
● Foster a positive and collaborative school and staff culture, actively engaging families and caregivers in the school community.
● Develop and retain talented staff by cultivating a supportive work environment and responding to staff feedback to enhance morale and retention.
● Partner with the Bright Star School Support Team to secure necessary resources, maintain organizational health, and ensure accurate reporting on attendance, attrition, and re enrollment.
What you’ll Bring
Minimum:
1. At least two years of Assistant Principal experience.
2. Valid Multiple or Single Subject California Teaching Credential.
3. Valid California Administrative Credential or Willingness to enter into a program within one year of being hired.
4. 6 years of successful teaching experience in K through 12th grades.
5. Evidence of strong organizational, student management and interpersonal skills. 6. Desire to be a team player and delegate as appropriate.
Desired (but not required) in order of importance:
1. 3 years of Assistant Principal experience
2. Fluency in a second language. Willingness to learn Spanish and/or Korean if that isn’t the language of fluency.
3. Post-graduate degree.
Cognitive & Behavioral Competencies
• Must be able to analyze written, spoken, visual, and other sensory stimuli
• Must have ability to understand and analyze written and spoken English
• Must be able to cope effectively with stressful situations and time constraints • Must be able to make sound judgments based on available information
• Must be able to engage in frequent student/parent/coworker contact
• Must be able to remain calm in emergency situations
• Must be able to perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines
• Must be able to maintain accuracy in tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail • Must have flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and work demands
• Must be able to logically solve problems
• Must be able to provide and follow detailed written and verbal instructions
• Must be able to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and students • Must demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Must demonstrate strong classroom management skills
• Must have a passion for teaching and student success
• Must demonstrate strong organizational Skills
Working Conditions/Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally expected to work indoors in typical school and office environments. This position involves:
• Occasional exposure to extreme or varying temperatures.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor elements such as sun, precipitation and wind or wet/humid surroundings.
• Occasional/ exposure to loud noise, fumes, smoke, dust.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job.
• Prolonged sitting/standing.
• Frequent walking
• Must be able to occasionally/frequently lift, carry push, and/or pull objects of not more than 20 pounds.
• Must be able to frequently bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, climb, crawl, and/or squat • Frequent reaching and twisting, including reaching above shoulder height
• Manual dexterity, and finger/wrist and hand repetitions are needed; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing and typing; frequent grasping, holding and reaching.
• Frequent computer use, including use of keyboard and mouse.
• Speaking and hearing are essential to the communication needs of the position; constant hearing and speaking in person and on the phone, via remote video teleconferencing platforms. • Must be able to be physically present at the worksite and occasionally travel for meetings or conferences.
What we offer:
• Salary: Competitive, starting range $110k
• Start Date: An exceptional candidate will assume a full time role no later than July 1st, 20266
• Location: Los Angeles, CA
• Benefits: Health, dental, vision, STRS retirement matching, life insurance, optional 403b plan, sick and vacation paid time off, and holidays.
Please note:
Effective January 1, 2025: Under Education Code section 44939.5, you must provide a complete list of all prior employment with any school district, county office of education, charter school, or state special school, including part-time and substitute roles. You can provide your complete prior employment history within the work experience section of the application. Failure to disclose this information may be considered dishonesty in the hiring process or during employment
Qualifications:
What you’ll Bring
Minimum:
1. At least two years of Assistant Principal experience.
2. Valid Multiple or Single Subject California Teaching Credential.
3. Valid California Administrative Credential or Willingness to enter into a program within one year of being hired.
4. 6 years of successful teaching experience in K through 12th grades.
5. Evidence of strong organizational, student management and interpersonal skills. 6. Desire to be a team player and delegate as appropriate.
Desired (but not required) in order of importance:
1. 3 years of Assistant Principal experience
2. Fluency in a second language. Willingness to learn Spanish and/or Korean if that isn’t the language of fluency.
3. Post-graduate degree.
Salary : $118,952 - $226,029