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Assistant Principal of Lower School, Grades 5-8

Arizona School for the Arts
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Assistant Principal of Lower School
Grades 5-8
 

ASA’s mission is to inspire creative thinkers and leaders through providing an innovative concentration in college preparation informed by the performing arts.


The Assistant Principal of Lower School supports the Principal in providing vision and direction to ASA’s 5th-8th grade programs and to the holistic Lower School student experience at ASA. This position is dedicated to equitable access for students to experience ASA’s innovative college preparatory curriculum informed by the performing arts, and models ASA mission and values. The Assistant Principal of Lower School leads the development of a comprehensive middle school academic program, evaluates Lower School academic faculty, and oversees Lower School student academic success as well as supervises student conduct, enforcing requirements documented in the Community Handbook and Student Code of Conduct. The Assistant Principal of Lower School coordinates between the Exceptional Student Services department, Grade Level Team Leaders, the School Social Worker, and the Arts Director. They work closely with the Principal to set and meet goals for the betterment of the Lower School. In the absence of the Principal, this administrator may be required to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Principal.


ASA is devoted to fostering an inclusive environment where the enjoyment and benefits of a college preparatory and performing arts education are accessible to the entire community, and where all voices are listened to and valued, regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation.


This position reports to the Principal and serves on the Senior Leadership Team.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership 

  • Carries out the ASA vision and mission and leads the school toward excellence in all areas.
  • Manages the daily functions of the Lower School in accordance with established core values, policies, and procedures.
  • Drives the educational objectives of the Lower School as established by the Principal, Executive Director,  and the Board of Directors.
  • Promotes a cooperative spirit and shared decision making among stakeholders to enhance the educational and social climate of the school by helping run important school events that serve the school community or promote the school to others.
  • Communicates graciously and effectively with students, colleagues, families, and community partners.
  • Assists the Principal in interviewing, orienting, and training new faculty and staff.
  • Promotes the school wide value of retaining high quality faculty through support, professional development, and community engagement.
  • Leads, supports, and evaluates the Lower School Grade Level Team Leaders.
  • With guidance and direction from the Principal, collaborates with the school leadership team and the Instructional Coaches to plan and lead a multi-year/ multi-level faculty professional development program to support and guide teachers in ASA’s mission, school policies, and instructional practices.
  • Enforces the guidelines and policies in the ASA Community Handbook and collaborates with the other members of the Senior Leadership Team to shape school wide culture, procedures, policies, and initiatives.
  • Evaluates and approves curricular, classroom, field trip, club and activity expenditures in accordance with approved budgets.
  • Develops the Lower School academic program budgets and advises the Principal and the Executive Director on short and long term financial planning for the programs under their purview.
  • Provides guidance and oversight to ASA’s School Social Worker.

Academic Curriculum, Instruction, Support, and Accountability

  • Instills and upholds a culture of faculty growth and a love of learning and the arts.
  • Evaluates Lower School curriculum with a view of maintaining high academic standards and ensures faculty have access to appropriate curricula and instructional materials aligned with ASA pedagogy. Makes recommendations for changes to the Principal.
  • Oversees and collaborates with Instructional Coaches to provide training, support, and systems of accountability for Lower School academic faculty in curriculum and instruction aligned with ASA’s pedagogy.
  • Reviews and evaluates lesson plans and ensures that teachers are fulfilling teaching duties at a level of excellence.
  • Regularly evaluates classes and assists faculty in identifying and solving problems.
  • Conducts informal and formal evaluations and sets annual professional development goals for and with Lower School academic faculty; makes recommendations to the Principal.
  • Holds teachers accountable to the guidelines, policies, and professional duties in the Community Handbook, Employee Handbook, and evaluation matrices.
  • Ensures that established academic standards, eligibility, and promotion guidelines are maintained.
  • Guides Lower School academic faculty in developing curriculum that expands representation to include diverse backgrounds and relevance to modern practices.
  • Oversees implementation of standardized tests that quantify ASA’s Lower School academic performance from year to year.
  • Analyzes standardized test data with the Instructional Coaches and makes recommendations to the Principal for strengthening the academic program.  
  • Leads Lower School faculty in analyzing their class content in relation to grade level and individual student achievement data.
  • Oversees and ensures that the faculty under their direction maintain an accurate  gradebook, attendance records, end of year close out procedures, and fulfills professional responsibilities.
  • Oversees, guides, and evaluates Instructional Coaches in coordination with the Assistant Principal of the Upper School.
  • Coordinates with the Exceptional Student Services department to ensure concerted delivery of services in Lower School academic classes.
  • Collaborates with the Arts Director to develop the Lower School master schedule for the year and ensures appropriate student placement in academic classes.
  • Oversees the Summer Bridge and Credit Recovery programs for Lower School students.

Lower School Culture and Climate

  • Fosters a Lower School climate reflecting ASA’s Mission, Core Values, and the love of learning. 
  • Oversees planning and implementation of major Lower School events and activities that foster student connectedness, retention, success, and well-being.
  • Assesses the day-to-day activities of the Lower School both in and out of the classroom for alignment with the school mission.
  • Be regularly visible and present to Lower School students and faculty throughout the school day, particularly at times of arrival and departure.
  • Meets regularly with the Principal to provide assessment of school culture and identify areas that should be improved.
  • Provides guidance to teachers to establish an inviting, clean, and orderly classroom environment.
  • In collaboration with the Operations Director and leadership team, sets Lower School schedule and calendar and assigns duties to ensure a safe and smooth daily cadence.
  • Develops student relationships essential to the integrity of the learning environment.
  • Provides training, support, coaching, and accountability to grade level teams for effective implementation of MTSS (Multi Tiered Systems of Support) to include classroom management strategies, behavior and academic  interventions , and parent communication.
  • Assists school leadership team in training office staff and faculty in effective implementation of school policies outlined in the Community Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Trains, evaluates, and retains high quality support staff and selects appropriate community resources to augment site-based programs and support services in conjunction with the School Social Worker. 
  • Plans with the Operations Team and the Student Information Coordinator, to provide positive weekly communication to all students and families outlining key dates and events and campus priorities.

Parent Partnership, Student Conduct, and Discipline

  • Enthusiastically promotes ASA’s educational model, mission and expectations both to current and prospective families.
  • Meets with teachers and parents regarding academic performance, student conduct, and/or support services as needed.
  • Manages progressive and equitable student disciplinary procedures to maintain a safe and productive learning environment, keeping a record of any disciplinary action.
  • Applies culturally responsive, social, and emotional learning practices to student interventions and discipline.
  • Engages with Lower School students and parents about school conduct policies to correct inappropriate behavior, identify student challenges, and to develop and implement behavior intervention strategies that maximize opportunities for success.
  • Monitors Lower School tardiness, attendance, and truancy, coordinating with Student Information Coordinator, School Social Worker, and the school leadership team.
  • Builds strong relationships with parents through timely and gracious communication.
  • Seeks input and feedback from parents about the ASA experience to help evaluate how ASA is achieving its mission and goals.

Additional Duties 

  • Works cohesively with the substitute coordinator and leadership team to ensure all classes have appropriate coverage.
  • Provides reports to the Board of Directors as requested by the Executive Director.
  • Help supervise students before and after school, during lunch and at school events as assigned.


Minimum Qualifications:

  • Masters Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field.
  • Minimum of 2 years of proven and successful school leadership experience at the Dean/Vice Principal/Assistant Principal level.
  • Minimum of 4 years of proven and successful classroom teaching.
  • Valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Identity Verified Prints (IVP) card.


Required Knowledge, Skills, and Personal Characteristics:

  • Proficient in the latest versions of Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite.
  • Familiarity with Student Information Systems, Synergy or PowerSchool preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Leadership in curriculum development, program evaluation, systems development staff development, school improvement, and staff supervision and evaluation.
  • Experience with student discipline, restorative justice practices, and student services.
  • Educational leadership in a similar environment is preferred.
  • Strategic thinking and effective problem-solving skills.
  • Strong work ethic and personal integrity.
  • Solution focused and works well in a team environment.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times; a command of FERPA, HIPAA, and relevant State laws and requirements preferred.
  • Reflective learner who consistently assesses their own work with an analytical eye in order to continuously improve.


Salary and Benefits: 

  • Compensation commensurate with experience.
  • Full time position with benefits.
  • Member of ASRS.


Interested candidates should submit the following via e-mail to employment@goasa.org:


ASA is an equal opportunity employer. Discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability or any individual by reason of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, or veteran status is prohibited.  Efforts will be made in recruitment and employment to ensure equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons.