Job Description: High School Principal
Arkansas Arts Academy High School

Position Summary
The High School Principal serves as the instructional and operational leader of the public charter school, responsible for fostering a safe, engaging, and academically rigorous environment that promotes student achievement and growth through the incorporation of arts integration. The principal oversees all aspects of school operations, including instruction, personnel, student discipline, culture, and compliance with state and federal regulations. The principal also provides leadership and oversight for concurrent credit and early college programs, ensuring students have access to high-quality postsecondary opportunities aligned with graduation requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership

• Establish and communicate a clear vision for teaching and learning aligned to school and district goals
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum and instructional practices
• Monitor student achievement data and implement strategies for continuous improvement
• Support teachers through observation, feedback, coaching, and professional development
• Ensure alignment with Arkansas Academic Standards and ADE requirements
• Collaborate with Arts Integration Directors and instructional leaders to ensure standards-aligned arts integration is intentionally embedded across all content areas
  
  
• Oversee the evaluation and assessment of arts-integrated instruction to ensure fidelity, rigor, and alignment with both academic and arts standards

School Culture & Climate

• Foster a positive, student-centered school culture that promotes respect, accountability, and belonging
• Oversee student discipline in alignment with district policies and due process requirements
• Implement systems for student support, including MTSS/RTI frameworks
• Promote student engagement through extracurricular and fine arts programming
• Lead the implementation of a positive, restorative approach to student discipline that prioritizes relationship-building, accountability, and student growth. 
• Attends student performances, exhibitions and visual and performing arts showcases.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate certified and classified staff
• Build staff capacity through professional learning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with teacher evaluation systems and district expectations
• Promote a collaborative and professional work environment

Operations & Compliance

• Oversee daily school operations, including scheduling, safety, and facilities
• Ensure compliance with state laws, ADE guidelines, and district policies
• Manage school budgets and resources effectively
• Lead crisis response and school safety planning

Concurrent Credit & Early College Programs

• Provide leadership and oversight of all concurrent credit and early college programs
• Ensure compliance with Arkansas concurrent credit laws, including A2A funding guidelines and credit hour limits
• Coordinate partnerships with institutions such as NWACC and Arkansas State University
• Oversee student eligibility, enrollment processes, and academic progress monitoring
• Ensure proper alignment of concurrent courses with high school graduation requirements and course crosswalks
• Support counselors and staff in advising students on college readiness, placement testing, and course selection
• Monitor program outcomes, including GPA requirements, completion rates, and postsecondary readiness
• Communicate program expectations, risks, and opportunities to students and families

Student Achievement & College Readiness

• Promote college and career readiness initiatives across all grade levels
• Support Advanced Placement, concurrent credit, and CTE pathways
• Ensure equitable access to rigorous coursework for all students
• Track and improve graduation rates and postsecondary outcomes

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong relationships with students, families, and community stakeholders
• Communicate effectively regarding school initiatives, expectations, and student progress
• Represent the school in district and community partnerships
• Support transparency and trust through consistent communication

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership (required)
• Arkansas Building-Level Administrator License (required)
• Minimum of 5 years of successful teaching experience
• Previous administrative experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong instructional leadership and data-driven decision-making
• Deep understanding of Arkansas education law and policy
• Experience with concurrent credit, early college, or postsecondary partnerships
• Ability to lead complex systems, including master scheduling and program implementation
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build and sustain a positive school culture
• Advocate for charter schools and arts programming

Working Conditions

• Full-time, 220 Day Contract
• Requires occasional evening and weekend responsibilities
• Moderate physical activity, including campus supervision

Reports To
Superintendent / CEO