Middle School Principal

SOUTH KINGSTOWN SCHOOL DEPARTMENT JOB DESCRIPTION Revised: 2026 Position: Middle School Principal Reports To: Superintendent of Schools FLSA Status: Exempt Contract: Administrator, 12-Month Position Overview The Middle School Principal serves as the instructional and operational leader of the school, responsible for establishing a compelling vision for learning and implementing a school improvement plan aligned to the district’s core values and strategic plan that accelerates student achievement and promotes the well-being of every learner. In alignment with the South Kingstown School Department’s mission—“In partnership with the community, our students will THRIVE”—and guided by the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL), the Principal fosters a school culture defined by Trust, High Expectations, Respect, Inclusion, Voice, and Equity. The Principal provides transformative leadership across curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the middle level; creates equitable and inclusive learning environments; builds professional capacity among staff; and cultivates meaningful partnerships with families and the broader community. This leader is the primary driver of continuous school improvement and serves as the steward of a safe, caring, and high-performing school community. Qualifications Required •Rhode Island certification as a Middle/Secondary School Principal •Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, or a closely related field •Minimum of five (5) years of successful PreK–12 teaching experience •Demonstrated record of instructional leadership and data-informed decision-making •Experience in educator evaluation and professional growth systems Preferred •Assistant Principal or department/instructional leadership experience at the middle level •Doctorate in Educational Leadership or related field •Experienced and knowledgeable in International Baccalaureate (IB) programs or similar frameworks •Demonstrated knowledge of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and restorative practices •Bilingual or multilingual capability Core Competencies (Aligned to RISEL) The following competencies reflect the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (2018) and define the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential to this role. 1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values (RISEL Standard 1) •Collaboratively develops, articulates, and continuously refines a shared school mission and vision centered on student success and well-being •Cultivates a school culture grounded in the district’s THRIVE values: Trust, High Expectations, Respect, Inclusion, Voice, and Equity •Models and advances the school’s mission and core values in every aspect of leadership and decision-making 2. Ethics and Professional Responsibility (RISEL Standard 2) •Acts with integrity, fairness, transparency, and professional accountability in all aspects of leadership •Centers the needs and well-being of children in every educational decision •Upholds the values of democracy, equity, and individual dignity; models ethical conduct for the school community 3. Equity and Cultural Responsiveness (RISEL Standard 3) •Ensures every student has equitable access to rigorous instruction, effective educators, and the academic and social-emotional supports needed to succeed •Identifies and actively dismantles systemic barriers, deficit-based practices, and institutional biases rooted in race, socioeconomic status, gender, disability, language, or other factors •Leads with cultural competence, honoring the identities, strengths, and lived experiences of all students, families, and staff 4. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (RISEL Standard 4) •Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of a coherent, rigorous, and culturally responsive curriculum aligned to Rhode Island and national standards •Supports instructional practices that are differentiated, evidence-based, and responsive to the developmental needs of middle-level learners •Promotes effective and ethical use of technology to enhance teaching and deepen learning •Uses multiple forms of assessment data to monitor student progress, identify trends, and drive instructional improvement at the classroom and school level 5. Community of Care and Support for Students (RISEL Standard 5) •Builds and sustains a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment where every student is known, valued, and supported •Develops and oversees coherent and data-informed multi-tiered systems of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support •Cultivates student voice, agency, and leadership as central features of the school community •Addresses student behavior through restorative, positive, and equitable approaches 6. Professional Capacity of School Personnel (RISEL Standard 6) •Recruits, selects, develops, and retains high-quality educators and staff committed to excellence and equity •Implements valid, research-anchored systems of educator supervision and evaluation; delivers timely, actionable feedback that advances professional growth •Differentiates professional learning opportunities to address individual and collective staff needs •Fosters distributed leadership by developing teacher leaders and supporting staff at all career stages 7. Professional Community for Teachers and Staff (RISEL Standard 7) •Builds a collaborative, trusting professional culture committed to continuous improvement and collective efficacy •Designs and sustains job-embedded professional learning communities grounded in student data and research •Ensures mutual accountability among staff for student learning and the overall effectiveness of the school •Fosters collaborative inquiry, peer observation, and shared decision-making as norms of professional practice 8. Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community (RISEL Standard 8) •Creates accessible, inclusive, and welcoming conditions for family and community engagement in the life of the school •Maintains open, two-way communication with families about student progress, school priorities, and community needs •Builds productive partnerships with local organizations, agencies, and community stakeholders to advance student learning and school improvement •Advocates publicly for the school, for students’ needs, and for the importance of public education 9. Operations and Management (RISEL Standard 9) •Manages school operations efficiently and equitably to advance the school’s mission and support student success •Stewards fiscal, physical, and human resources responsibly and in alignment with instructional priorities •Ensures knowledge of and compliance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies •Develops and administers fair systems for managing conflict and promoting a safe and orderly school environment •Leverages data and communication systems to support classroom and school-wide improvement 10. School Improvement (RISEL Standard 10) •Leads a coherent, data-driven school improvement process aligned to the district’s Strategic Plan and student achievement priorities •Applies adaptive leadership strategies to navigate change, manage competing priorities, and sustain momentum through uncertainty •Builds staff capacity to engage in continuous improvement through inquiry, evidence-based practice, and innovation •Promotes coherence across improvement initiatives and fosters systemic thinking at every level of the organization Essential Duties and Responsibilities Instructional Leadership •Leads the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of instructional programs that ensure rigorous, equitable, and engaging learning for all students •Conducts regular, meaningful classroom observations and provides instructional feedback that improves teacher practice and student outcomes •Serves as primary evaluator under Rhode Island’s educator evaluation system; completes evaluations in accordance with state timelines and district protocols •Uses disaggregated student performance data to identify achievement patterns, drive targeted interventions, and measure the impact of instructional decisions School Culture and Climate •Establishes and sustains a positive, caring, and high-performing school culture aligned to the district’s THRIVE values •Implements restorative and proactive approaches to student behavior that are equitable, developmentally appropriate, and trauma-informed •Promotes student voice, leadership, and engagement as foundational elements of middle school culture •Partners with Student Services to ensure robust, integrated academic and social-emotional support systems for all students Personnel and Professional Development •Participates actively in the recruitment, selection, hiring, induction, and ongoing development of highly effective faculty and staff •Develops and facilitates job-embedded professional learning aligned to school improvement goals and grounded in research •Recognizes and develops teacher leadership; supports staff well-being and sustainable professional practice Family and Community Engagement •Creates multiple, accessible pathways for meaningful family engagement in student learning and school decision-making •Communicates proactively and transparently with families about school goals, student progress, and community priorities •Builds strategic partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and higher education to expand opportunities for students Operations, Management, and Compliance •Supervises all school operations, including scheduling, budgeting, facilities, transportation, and safety protocols •Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and district policies, including IDEA, Section 504, and Title IX •Manages school-level budgets with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and alignment to instructional priorities •Performs other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools Working Conditions This is a twelve-month administrative position. The Principal is expected to be present and visible throughout the school day, including before- and after-school activities and evening community events as required. The role demands sustained physical presence throughout the building and may require lifting materials, navigating multiple floors, and standing or walking for extended periods. Evening and weekend commitments are a routine expectation of this position. South Kingstown School Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description is not a contract of employment. It describes the general duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and is subject to change at any time with or without notice. Aligned to: Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL, 2018)