School Principal

Job Description: Principal

Reporting to: SVP 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.

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.

What you’ll Bring

Minimum:

1. At least three 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. 5 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. Fluency in a second language. Willingness to learn Spanish and/or Korean if that isn’t the language of fluency.
2. Post-graduate degree.

What we offer:

Salary: Competitive, starting range $118k

Status: Full Time, Exempt, 12 month position

Start Date: An exceptional candidate will assume a full time role no later than July 1st, 2026

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Benefits: Health, dental, vision, STRS retirement matching, life insurance, optional 403b plan, sick and vacation paid time off, and holidays.