About Equitas Academy Charter Schools
The mission of Equitas Academy Charter Schools is to prepare students for college, careers, and life pursuits, and inspire them to be champions of equity. We currently serve over 2,000 students and operate four elementary schools and two middle schools in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Role Summary:
We’re looking for a committed and accomplished school leader to work with our dedicated and capable staff to continue our work of preparing our scholars to graduate from college. The ideal candidate should be committed to developing as an antiracist educator and leader, prioritize family, student and staff voice, model our core values, and build strong relationships while also achieving results.
Note: Internal Equitas applicants only; previous management experience required
Leadership, Strategic Planning, and Systems Implementation (25%)
Inspires adults and scholars in the school community to work towards the school’s vision while embodying Equitas core beliefs and valuesBuilds the capacity of staff to support academic achievement through effective implementation of adopted curricula and appropriate interventionsLeads the implementation of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), ensuring that all scholars experience inclusive academic instruction, behavioral support, social-emotional instruction, and mental health supportImplements systems to ensure equitable access for all subgroups, while prioritizing scholars encountering unique challenges, including scholars with disabilities and emergent bilingual scholarsBuilds an effective leadership team with a relentless focus on student learning; creates conditions for all leadership team members to collaboratively lead the school; builds individual and collective capacity to oversee complex projects that achieve planned outcomesFacilitates change management processes, including empowering stakeholders to provide meaningful input, generating broad buy-in and motivation, and building sustainable systemsProvides leadership and oversight of a wide range of school programs, including those that involve external partnerships, such as the school’s extended learning programs (including summer programming)Serves as a key leader in strategic planning and external compliance processes, including LAUSD oversight, Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), and the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)
Coaching, Professional Development, and Performance Management (25%)
Ensures that faculty and staff are frequently observed (both formally and informally) in the performance of their duties and provided with feedback aligned to agreed-upon goals, job expectations, and rubricsDevelops and implements a system of high quality professional learning opportunities and skillful coaching; tailors support to individualized needs, informed by data and observationsEvaluates and/or oversees the evaluation of faculty and staff; conducts other performance management functions, as appropriateHires and retains effective faculty and staff; provides professional growth and/or leadership opportunities aligned with interest, aptitude, and school need
School Culture and Stakeholder Engagement (15%)
Builds the school’s collective capacity to embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, and incorporates those practices and mindsets into all aspects of the school culture, instruction, and operationsEmbraces a restorative approach to relationships, including scholars, families, community members, and faculty/staff; leads the implementation of restorative practices to build community and repair harm; uses restorative justice as a key component of the school’s positive behavior support plan; takes other disciplinary action as appropriate, in accordance with local policies and California Education CodeCollaboratively creates and maintains a safe and supportive school environment for all stakeholdersBuilds the capacity of staff to create a school-wide culture in which all families and community members are welcomed into authentic partnership, in ways that are aligned to the Equitas Academy Mission, Vision, and ValuesEmpowers stakeholders through advisory and decision-making bodies, including School Site Council (SSC) and English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)Develops authentic, collaborative, empowering relationships with scholars, families, school staff, and network staff
Assessment and Data Analysis (15%)
Oversees the implementation of a broad range of formative and summative assessments aligned to school and network goals; develops a culture of shared ownership and accountability for outcomesSupports faculty and staff in effectively and consistently using multiple sources of qualitative and quantitative data to track progress toward goals and to plan appropriate instruction and targeted interventionsBuilds the capacity of staff to meaningfully communicate with scholars, families, and other stakeholders about school-wide, classroom-level, and individual scholar goals and progress toward those goalsPartners with network and site-based teammates and the school community to create an annual dashboard aligned to the Equitas Common Measures; sets goals that are meaningful, ambitious, and achievable; builds the capacity of all stakeholders to share ownership of those goals
Professional Growth and Network Collaboration (15%)
Engages in ongoing professional learning and growth through coaching, mentoring, reading/researching, and various forms of professional developmentModels and builds the capacity of staff to proactively solicit feedback from various stakeholders, to monitor data and reflect on one’s own impact, and to make appropriate adjustments in alignment with goalsCollaborates productively with leaders across the Equitas network, proactively building trusting, supportive professional relationships
Other Duties (5%)
The principal is expected to adapt in response to new information and shifting priorities, while managing their work schedule accordingly. This requires flexibility and a willingness to embrace unexpected challenges.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel.
Reporting Relationships
The Principal will report to the Chief Schools Officer while working closely with other Network Office staff membersAll of the schools' instructional staff will report either directly or indirectly (via other leadership team members, such as the Assistant Principal) to the PrincipalThe principal will work in partnership with the School Operations Manager (SOM), who will supervise operations staff
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degreeAt least 3 years of teaching experience (5+ preferred), with a demonstrated record of exceptional academic outcomes for scholarsPrevious experience at Equitas Academy in a management position
Preferred Qualifications
A California teaching credential (highly preferred) A California administrative credential or other training/experience likely to produce a similar level of preparedness for this position (e.g., prior experience in a similar role) preferred, but not requiredMaster’s degree or doctorate in education or other related field preferred, but not requiredExperience working in historically marginalized communities preferred but not requiredFluency in Spanish preferred
Skills, Traits, and Dispositions:
A strong alignment with Equitas Academy’s vision, mission, and valuesA commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIA) and a desire to empower those who experience marginalizationA tendency to “lean in” to complexity while demonstrating adaptability and a growth mindsetStrong interpersonal skills and ability to build and cultivate trusting, supportive relationships with scholars and adultsInstructional expertise, including knowledge of Common Core-aligned instruction, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and student-centered classroomsCapacity to understand and empathize with the experiences of people in the Pico Union communityExpertise in change leadership and project managementExcellent communication skills, both verbal and writtenAbility to manage a busy schedule with shifting priorities while being present for others and maintaining personal wellbeing; ability to calibrate emotional responses, adjusting tone and actions as neededAbility to hold oneself and others accountable to high standards while also prioritizing wellness, sustainability and positive relationships; ability to use appropriate strategies to recover physically and renew mentally and emotionallyKnowledge of relevant policies, regulations, and laws, including California Education Code
Commitment to Diversity
Equitas Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Compensation and Salary
Interview Process and Timeline
Qualified candidates will be invited to the following stages of the interview process on the timeline below:
- Application Deadline: March 3
- First Round: Phone Interview (March 3 - March 10)
- Second Round: Virtual Zoom Interview (March 5 - March 12 )
- Final Round: In-Person Interview (March 13 - March 20)
- Target Start Date: July 1, 2026
