This job posting is for all individuals interested in Principal and Head of School positions in the Boston Public Schools for the 2024-2025 school year. This job posting will build a pool of strong candidates for these positions when they become available in the winter/spring of 2024. Candidates will be made aware of individual school openings once they progress through the process. School types could include autonomous, exam, technical vocational, traditional, and turnaround. This job posting only includes Principal and Head of School positions. Other administrative positions are posted individually on the BPS hiring site.
Why lead in BPS?
We are committed to our students and have a track record of success.
As the birthplace of public education in this nation, the Boston Public Schools is committed to partnering with families and communities to transform the lives of all children through exemplary teaching and leadership. We cultivate staff who create safe, welcoming and affirming environments, celebrate diversity and confront racism and inequities. Together, we work to develop the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career and life for all learners. There are many positive indicators for the growth of opportunity for our students in Boston; student performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the national report card, makes BPS the first urban district to meet their marks in both English and Math for both tested grades. In addition, our graduation rates have increased steadily, reaching their highest ever point in 2018 at 75% district-wide.
We serve a richly diverse community of students and families.
Boston Public Schools is quickly becoming one of the most diverse school districts in the country. As a leader in BPS, you will be immersed in our rich community cultures and have the opportunity to close the opportunity gaps that persist in our city and nation. Our 46,001 students reflect Boston’s vibrant blend of cultures, representing 140 countries and speaking 80 languages. 81% of our students identify as Black, Hispanic or Asian, and 49% have a first language other than English. Our learners hold a wide variety of learning styles and have varying levels of unique needs: 23% of students have IEPs and 70% of our students qualify as economically disadvantaged. Our district takes pride in providing equitable access to opportunity for all students and families through the use of Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP), and tools such as Culturally Relevant Instruction Observation Protocols (CRIOP). By leading in our district, you are a key lever in embracing our urgent and mission-driven commitment to serving and empowering all of our kids and coaching others to do their best work to close academic gaps.
We support our leaders to learn, grow, and succeed.
Our leaders receive individualized leadership and operational support, job-embedded professional learning, and relevant support from specific departments. Additionally, all leaders take part in Professional Learning Communities of their choice and attend All Leader Professional Development, both of which are focused on different aspects of building and honing anti-racist practices grounded in Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices. New leaders are supported through a two year induction program that includes professional learning sessions, cohort support sessions and mentoring from seasoned and successful leaders in the district.
We have a highly-supported, world-class teacher and staff community.
As a leader in Boston Public Schools, you will be surrounded by a team that consistently assists you in supporting students and families. Our schools have multiple school-based staff supporting students throughout their school day. These teams are an integral part of the community and are supported through Central Office training and support. We are proud to cultivate a talented and dedicated teacher force. We support and develop our teachers through multiple pathways, starting with new teacher development and continuing throughout teachers’ careers.
Who are we looking for?
Boston Public Schools Leaders are passionate about equity, furthering student achievement, providing safe spaces for students to learn and grow. They are laser-focused on closing opportunity gaps. They reflect the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and have a strong commitment to their greater school communities and the City of Boston. They are culturally, instructionally and operationally proficient and are able to utilize and develop these competencies to best serve all students and staff in their buildings.
What skills & attributes are we looking for?
Visionary Leadership
Our School Leaders work with their teams to develop and implement a clearly defined vision that honors and acknowledges the assets, funds of knowledge and cultural wealth of students and families. The Leader’s vision maintains a clear focus on achieving sustainable success for every student, providing access to equitable opportunities, and building a sustainable inclusive and culturally responsive school culture and environment.
Instructional Leadership
Our School Leaders take initiative to create change and implement new initiatives grounded in equity to accomplish sustainable results. They have the knowledge and experience to build, support and empower their staff to create healthy and sustaining learning environments and consistently deliver excellent and equitable instruction.
Leadership in Equity
Our school leaders believe deeply in the potential for every student to succeed, and work tirelessly each day to create an anti-racist school environment that is built around high expectations, an inclusive and welcoming culture, and an expectation of excellence for all.
Team Building
The school leader will purposefully recruit, select, and support an experienced, culturally competent and diverse team who can work together to ensure the success of all students in the building.
Culture & Community Building
Our school leaders create and maintain a safe, supportive and sustaining school community and an environment for learning in which all students and their families feel welcome.
Qualifications – Required:
- Masters in Education or similar field.
- Possession of a valid Massachusetts School Principal License or proof of successful completion of MA-PAL.
- For Technical/Vocational positions: Possession of valid Vocational/Technical preliminary or professional license.
- Current authorization to work in the United States—candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.
Qualifications – Preferred:
- Teaching and leadership experience in an urban public school setting.
- Bilingual.
- Boston resident.
Compensation & Conditions of Employment
Base pay for School Leaders is determined by school enrollment as follows:
- 0 – 300 students = $147,122
- 301 – 600 students= $148,523
- 601 – 899 students = $149,924
- 900+ students = $151,325
Leaders will also be eligible for a salary differential based on their educational attainment and, beginning in their second year of leadership, performance. Leaders of transformation schools will also be eligible for a salary differential.
Teacher/Leaders within the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) will be compensated according to the BTU contract rather than the terms noted here. Regional School Leaders will also be compensated according to separate terms than those listed here.
Leaders shall work a twelve (12) month calendar, from July 1 to June 30. Leaders shall be entitled to receive paid time off for all nationally recognized or local holidays reflected on the Boston Public Schools calendar. The work year shall include 183 school days (student and staff facing days) as outlined in the BPS school calendar, in addition forty (40) days that shall be worked outside of student and staff facing days. The schedule for these days shall be agreed upon by the School Superintendent and the School Leader.
The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.