Position Description

Chief Academic Officer

Reports to: Superintendent Grow Public Schools

Exempt, Year-Round

Organizational Overview:

At Grow Public Schools (GPS), our mission is fueled by a need for educational equity and a belief in the transformative power of academic excellence and wellness. We believe education and wellness are fundamental pillars for success and their harmonious integration paves the way for brilliant and vibrant futures. Founded by the Grimm Family Education Foundation in August 2011, Grow Public Schools is committed to underserved communities in, and building a brighter future for, Kern County, California.

Grow Public Schools operates Grow Academy Arvin, and Grow Academy Shafter, both TK-8 schools, serving over 1,600 students with a plan to open two additional schools to serve a total of 3,200 students.

Job Overview and Summary

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the instructional leader of GPS and is responsible for the academic success of the network. The Chief Academic Officer will create, communicate, and execute the academic vision of GPS. This involves developing and implementing both short-term and long-term plans for the GPS network and with individual school leadership teams. The CAO is also responsible for overseeing organization-wide professional learning experiences and ensures all academic and student services (i.e. mental health, counseling, special education) are aligned to support student achievement and are in compliance with federal and state law. The CAO leads the effort to provide the highest quality programs and services and the achievement of the mission and vision for Grow Public Schools.

The CAO will be instrumental in leading the growth of the network over the next several years, while maintaining and accelerating high-quality programs and student achievement across the GPS network. The Chief Academic Officer will be part of a Cabinet team consisting of the Superintendent, Chief Business Officer, and Chief of Staff. S/he will serve as a principal manager, providing coaching and collaboration to each school leader, as well as having direct oversight of the Director of Learning and Innovation and the Director of Educational Programs.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Strategy

Academic Vision: Develop and deepen a cohesive academic vision that aligns with GPS’s mission, ensuring consistency and excellence in instructional models across multiple campuses in a scaling environment.
Principal Manager: Work alongside, coach, and manage school leaders to obtain exceptional academic results for all students.
Policy and Practice Development: Plan, develop, implement, assess, and improve academic policies and practices to support network-wide instructional excellence.
Implement Academic Priorities: In alignment with the organization’s strategic plan and academic model, drive the execution of strategic academic initiatives, ensuring exceptional educational programs with unprecedented student results.
Instructional Leadership: Serve as the “Chief Learning Officer” of the organization, providing leadership, coaching, and support to the home office learning and innovation team, school principals, and other team members to enhance their instructional effectiveness.
Champion Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Instruction: Lead network-wide efforts to close achievement gaps, and support diverse student populations, including high-achieving, English Language Learners (ELLs), and students with disabilities. Design and implement culturally responsive teaching and inclusive instructional practices, while ensuring expansion efforts sustain critical support services such as special education, counseling, and enrichment programs.

Curriculum Development & Instructional Design

Curriculum Development and Innovation: Design and implement a standards-based TK-8 curriculum that utilizes project-based, inquiry-driven, and personalized learning models to enhance student engagement and achievement. The CAO will have direct oversight of the Director of Educational Programs and the Director of Learning and Innovation.
Standards Alignment: Ensure all curricula are aligned with Grow Public School’s academic model and in compliance with national and state standards.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Collaborate with school leadership to develop, implement, and monitor an effective multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework that ensures students meet academic and individual learning goals.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support: Oversee the implementation of a culturally responsive Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), ensuring students have access to wrap-around culturally relevant support services that meet their unique social, emotional, mental, and academic needs.
Edible Schoolyard (ESY) Program Support: Supports school-site administrators in the successful implementation and operation of the Edible SchoolYard (ESY) program, and collaborates with the Grimm Family Education Foundation (GFEF) to ensure the ESY is meeting the foundation’s standards and objectives.

Professional Development & Staff Support

Leadership Development & Talent Management: Collaborate with network leaders to coach teachers and leaders to build a strong leadership pipeline to sustain network growth.
Professional Learning: Develop and oversee network-wide professional learning to capitalize on teacher strengths, identify areas for growth, and enhance instructional effectiveness.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Problem Solving: Facilitate collaboration among principals, academic staff, and parents to resolve student-related concerns.
Discipline Oversight: Provide guidance and support to schools on student discipline matters.

Assessment & Accountability

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Utilize student achievement data to drive instructional decisions, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure school accountability.
Assessment Frameworks: Develop network-wide assessment systems to track progress across multiple campuses.
Progress Monitoring: Provide leadership to ensure campuses maintain exceptional academic progress in the areas of attendance, grades, matriculation, and graduation. Facilitate the evaluation and monitoring of academic programs and outcomes.
Strategic Plan Implementation: Collaborate with network leadership to implement the Strategic Plan with a focus on student success and academic excellence.

Leadership and Management

Family and Community Partnerships: Build strong relationships with families, community partners, board members, and stakeholders to foster collaborative decision-making with key stakeholders.
Budget Management and Compliance: Collaborate with the Home Office Team and site leadership on all compliance-related activities, including authorizer oversight, budgeting, and LCAP and in developing and managing the network budget.
Operations and Compliance: In collaboration with the school site principal and SPED Coordinator, ensures compliance with all laws and regulations related to Title I funding, IDEA, and the Kern County SELPA.
Partnership Development: Oversees development of partnerships with external programs to support academic growth, and teacher and leadership development.

Qualities and Competencies:

Strong background in standards-based TK-8 curriculum development and personalized learning models. Ability to implement project-based, inquiry-driven, or competency-based learning.
Deep understanding of early literacy and numeracy strategies critical for elementary student success.
Detailed knowledge of instructional technology, Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and innovative teaching practices.
Proven success leading strategic educational activities, such as developing and delivering new curriculum, pedagogy, professional development, and assessments which led to academic growth, preferably in a charter school setting.
Strong understanding of charter school laws, state compliance requirements, and accreditation processes.
Experience navigating funding models, including per-pupil funding, grants, and philanthropic partnerships.
Ability to ensure accountability in governance and academic performance to meet charter renewal standards.
Ability to work well with and develop strong working relationships with a variety of school stakeholders: students, staff, parents, administrators, and Boards of Directors.
Skilled mentor, adept in developing teachers and school leaders.
In-depth knowledge of education code, federal and state laws, codes, regulations, and requirements.
Knowledge of funding sources for educational programs and the related regulations, controls, and reporting procedures.
Professional experience integrating technology into academic disciplines.

Required Education and Experience:

Master's degree in a related field; PhD or EdD desired.
Classroom teaching experience required; 10 plus years of classroom experience preferred.
Experience in an educational leadership position, either at a school or district is required; 5-plus years of educational leadership preferred.
Valid California Teaching Credential, Administrative credential preferred. GPS will consider applicants who are in the process of transferring a credential from another state.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is exempt. The compensation range for this position is $170-190k depending upon experience, with the potential for both a signing and relocation bonus. This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus of up to 10% of their annual salary based on completion of goals. The organization offers robust benefits including a 403b retirement plan, generous employer contributions toward healthcare premiums for employees and dependents, medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plan options, employer-paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance.

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