SY26/27 Vice Principal of Upper Academy

Washington Leadership Academy | Washington, DC

Role Overview

The Vice Principal of Upper Academy is a multifaceted leader responsible for both the instructional excellence of the Upper Academy departent and the holistic success of a specific grade-level cohort. At WLA, we believe that academic mastery in all content is inextricably linked to student belonging and accountability.

This role functions as a Grade Level Success Specialist, serving as the primary architect for the "student experience" for their assigned grade. You will ensure that every scholar is academically on-track, attending school consistently, and meeting our high behavioral expectations. You will report to the Principal and work in close lockstep with the Director of Culture, Director of College & Career, Lower Academy VP, and SPED VP

Core Responsibilities

I. Grade Level Success Specialist (The "On-Track" Architect)

• On-Track Status Monitoring: Lead weekly "On-Track" meetings to analyze the intersection of grades, credits, and GPA. Identify students at risk of failing core subjects or elective courses and design immediate academic recovery plans.
• Attendance Oversight: In partnership with the Operations team, monitor daily attendance and chronic absenteeism. Execute high-leverage family interventions for students falling below the 95% attendance threshold.
• Behavior Interventions: Collaborate daily with the Director of Culture to manage Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions. Ensure that discipline is restorative, consistent, and documented within our Deanslist system. Provide Proactive behavioral incentives, support, and expectations.
• Class-Level Incentives: Design and execute "Joy & Rigor" incentive programs (e.g., Attendance Challenges, GPA Celebrations) to build a positive and competitive grade-level identity.

II. Instructional Leadership

• Instructional Coaching: Work closely with the STEM & Humanities Department chair, ensuring teachers receive weekly high-impact coaching for all Upper Academy content teachers, utilizing the "O3" (Observation & One-on-One) cycle and the 3-week intervention cycle.
• Teacher PD & Cohort Growth: Co-Lead Lead Targeted Cohort Professional Development with the STEM Department Chair—facilitating sessions that help teachers differentiate instruction specifically for the developmental needs of their grade level.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Facilitate Upper Academy data dives, focusing on NWEA MAP (Math) and DC-CAPE (Science) growth.

III. Culture & Community Systems

• Advisory Leadership: Oversee the implementation of the Advisory curriculum for your grade level. Coordinate with Lead Teachers (LTs) to ensure Advisory is a space for high-quality social-emotional learning and academic check-ins.
• Parent Communication: Serve as the primary administrative point of contact for families within the grade level. Lead "Town Halls" and parent-teacher conferences for students requiring intensive support.
• Special Events Management: Collaborate with Lead Teachers (LTs) to plan and execute major grade-level milestones (e.g., Content Fairs, Internships, Field Trips, and Grade-Level Retreats).

Key Competencies

• Content Profficient: Understanding of Common Core Math, ELA, History, CS and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Analytical Rigor: Ability to synthesize complex data sets (attendance, behavior, and grades) into actionable school-wide trends.
• Relational Leadership: Proven ability to build strong, "fierce" yet empathetic relationships with high school students and their families.
• Systems Management: Experience managing multi-layered projects, from school-wide testing to large-scale student events.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership or related area preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years of high-performing classroom teaching experience
• Minimum of 2-5 years in a leadership or coaching role (Vice Principal, Department Chair, etc.)
• Strong familiarity with the DC educational landscape and the WLA mission.