Founding Principal

Company: Arcadia Schools
Location: Houston
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

BACKGROUND Arcadia High School is a newly authorized open-enrollment public charter school in Southwest Houston designed to serve the diverse communities of Alief and surrounding neighborhoods. Our founding team brings hundreds of years of combined experience starting and leading high-performing schools across the country. Arcadia is built to solve familiar challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, limited access to advanced coursework, and uneven support through a research-based school design that centers on team-teaching, strong relationships, and real-world preparation. As we prepare for opening day, the Principal will play a critical role in translating this design into a vibrant, high-quality school for students and families. MISSION Arcadia High School students are empowered to achieve their highest potential and graduate prepared for college, careers, and leadership in their communities. Through a research-based team-teaching model, high-quality instruction and student-centered learning, we provide consistent, targeted support to meet the unique needs of every student. Our collaborative classrooms inspire academic excellence, critical thinking, and passion for lifelong learning, equipping students with the skills, confidence, and resilience to succeed. Teachers receive continuous professional development, fostering exceptional instruction and a thriving educational community. Strong partnerships with families and the community ensure students benefit from a supportive environment that drives achievement and growth. SCHOOL VALUES Arcadia’s school culture and daily work are grounded in four core principles: Aspiring for Big Dreams - We believe every student can set and achieve ambitious goals for their future. We hold high expectations for academics, behavior, and leadership, and we support students in turning those big dreams into concrete plans and actions. Building Deep Connections - Strong relationships are at the heart of our work. We invest in knowing students and families well, creating a community where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued. Providing Relentless Support for Excellence - We do not give up on students or each other. We use data, feedback, and targeted supports to help every student and adult grow, and we follow through consistently to ensure excellence in both effort and results. Preparing for the Real World - We connect learning to life beyond high school through internships, enrichment, and real-world problem solving. Students build the skills, habits, and mindsets they need to thrive in college, careers, and their communities. ROLE OVERVIEW The Principal is the instructional and cultural leader of Arcadia High School. Reporting to the Superintendent, the Principal is responsible for ensuring excellent teaching and learning in every classroom, building a strong and positive school culture, and driving toward ambitious outcomes for all students. This role includes direct leadership of teachers and staff, stewardship of the Arcadia model (team teaching, advisory, internships, and targeted supports), and close collaboration with families and community partners. As a founding Principal, this leader will also help finalize and implement key systems and structures, including schedules, observation and feedback routines, data practices, and student support systems, while modeling Arcadia’s values in daily decision-making. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Instructional Leadership: - Set a clear instructional vision aligned to Arcadia’s mission and team-teaching model. Ensure high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and assessments are implemented with fidelity in all content areas. - Develop and lead a strong observation and feedback cycle for teachers that includes frequent classroom walkthroughs, coaching conversations, and actionable next steps. - Lead data-driven instructional practices, including regular data meetings to analyze student work, identify trends, and plan responsive reteach and intervention. - Oversee implementation of supports for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and students needing additional academic intervention. - Monitor student progress toward college- and career-readiness benchmarks (e.g., course completion, GPA, ACT/SAT, advanced coursework, internships). Talent and Adult Culture: - Hire, onboard, and retain a diverse, mission-aligned team of teachers and staff, with particular attention to building a strong pipeline of Teaching Fellows and teacher-leaders. - Create a professional culture of high expectations, continuous improvement, and mutual accountability. - Plan and lead effective professional development aligned to school priorities and teacher needs. - Coach and develop assistant principals, deans, and teacher-leaders to lead teams, own outcomes, and grow in their roles. - Celebrate staff successes and build systems for meaningful recognition and feedback. Student Culture and Support: - Establish and maintain a school-wide culture that is safe, structured, joyful, and aligned to Arcadia’s values. - Implement clear systems for behavior expectations, restorative practices, and student supports to ensure all students feel a strong sense of belonging. - Oversee advisory, enrichment, and community-building structures that support students’ growth and leadership. - Partner with counseling, special education, and student support teams to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs in a coordinated way. Family and Community Engagement: - Serve as a visible, approachable, and responsive leader for families and community partners. - Communicate regularly with families about student progress, school priorities, and upcoming events. - Lead the recruitment and operations teams to support student enrollment, orientation, and successful transition into Arcadia. - Cultivate relationships with community organizations, local businesses, and higher education partners to expand opportunities for internships, mentoring, and enrichment. School Operations and Systems: - Collaborate with the Superintendent and operations team to ensure effective day-to-day school operations, including scheduling, safety procedures, attendance systems, and testing. - Contribute to the development and implementation of annual school goals and plans that align with Arcadia’s multi-year strategy. - Monitor key metrics (enrollment, attendance, discipline, academic results, staff retention) and adjust strategies as needed. - Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, as well as charter requirements and internal policies. - Manage the school budget in partnership with the Superintendent/operations team, making resource decisions that prioritize student learning and staff support. Founding and Strategic Leadership: - Help refine and operationalize Arcadia’s instructional model (including team teaching, internships, and extended collaboration time for teachers) for the local context. - Lead change management thoughtfully as systems evolve from the founding year to a fully built-out high school. - Document and codify effective practices so they can be sustained and scaled as the school grows. - Serve as a key thought partner to the Superintendent and a representative of Arcadia to external stakeholders. - All members of the Arcadia team will perform other job-related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the school and our students.

Keywords: Arcadia Schools, Bryan , Founding Principal, Education / Teaching , Houston, Texas