[School Year 2026-2027] High School Principal

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Managing Director of High School, the High School Principal is the academic and culture leader of the school. The High School Principal is responsible for setting and driving strategic priorities, ensuring excellent instruction and equitable outcomes for all students, creating the conditions for all students to thrive, facilitating the growth and development of all staff members, and shaping the day-to-day management of the school and its culture. The High School Principal should be passionate about excellence and equity, champion DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child Model, care deeply about the communities we serve, and work relentlessly to create and sustain transformational outcomes for all students.
The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the mission and values of DREAM and should have substantial expertise in all areas of responsibility. Candidates must also value DREAM’s comprehensive approach to education and desire to make a lasting impact in underserved communities as part of a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Lead the development of a rich, engaging and rigorous curriculum that is aligned with the Common Core Standards;
• Systematically monitor data and observe instruction to facilitate effectiveness, alignment, and quality across grade level and content teams;
• School Culture
• Lead the development of a high-performing High School culture through the refinement and maintenance of systems and routines which set high expectations and are aligned to DREAM’s responsive and restorative educational philosophy;
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with staff, students, and families;
• Facilitate the planning and program coordination for DREAM High School’s College and Career Access Program;
• Strategic Leadership
• Ensure strategic management of the high school grounded in regular review and analysis of student SEL, culture, and academic achievement data;
• Create and execute the school development plan and goal setting, consistent with the school’s charter contract;
• Utilize ethical and motivational leadership appropriate to the context in which the school operates;
• Develop and implement school policies as a member of DREAM’s Management team;
• Talent Development
• Recruit, select, train, and retain a high-performing team of teachers, leaders, and support staff;
• Lead the professional development calendar and ongoing improvement of teaching through a variety of strategies, including lesson observations, regular use of data,
• collaborative planning and inquiry, regular program of training, coaching and mentoring, and ensure high levels of student achievement and learning through rigorous and engaging classes;
• Supervise and support members of the School Leadership Team, and through them the school staff;
• Collaboration
• Regularly report to the Managing Director of High School, Chief Education Officer, and the Board of Trustees;
• Facilitate robust collaboration amongst and between school-based teammates and network teammates;
• Build and sustain strong relationships with the Board, donors, local community, and all internal and external stakeholders;
• Whole Child Approach
• Ensure the implementation of a tiered program of responsive support in English and Math for students who are below expected levels in these subjects;
• Build strong and responsive special education programming to ensure success in school for students with special needs, including compliance with special education laws;
• Collaborate with the leadership team to create e