The NET: Central City Charter High School

The NET: Central City is an alternative high school for students who have dropped out of, been expelled from, or who have otherwise struggled in a traditional school setting.  Students at The NET participate in intensive, individualized academic, social, and behavioral supports, earn a high school diploma, and complete rigorous internships with area employers. Our students leave school with the skills, confidence, and experiences necessary to succeed in the career and education paths of their choice.

The NET: Central City is the founding campus of EQA Schools, and is located in the heart of Central City on Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. All EQA schools are built on the belief that alternative schools should not punish or “fix” young people; they should be vibrant, flexible, and restorative environments that support students in being their best selves.

The NET: Central City is a part of Educators for Quality Alternatives, which operates the alternative schools in Orleans Parish.  EQA Schools operates 3 high schools: The NET: Central City, The NET: Gentilly, and The NET: East, and a middle school program called the Bridge for students in 7th and 8th grade who struggle in traditional settings.  

Position Summary

The NET: Central City seeks an aligned, driven, and experienced school leader. Through the design and management of systems and culture, instructional vision and execution, and team development, Principals coach, manage, and lead their teams to insure that every student in the school is supported and developed to their greatest potential.

Leading at the NET is an opportunity to develop in one of the most innovative spaces in one of the most progressive places and moments in American public education. As a small school without layers of bureaucracy, this is an opportunity to have a strong voice in developing the school’s vision, design and success.

As the school leader, the Principal is responsible for:

• School Mission and Vision Alignment
• Staff Development and Accountability
• School Culture and Behavior Development
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Systems/Program Design, Management, and Compliance

Position Requirements:

Education & Experience

• BA required; MA or MEd Preferred; teacher/leader certification a plus but not required
• Minimum 10 years’ experience effectively working with at risk high school students
• Minimum 5 years’ experience effectively leading and coaching adults
• Minimum 5 years’ experience effectively managing programs, departments, or schools

Skills & Approach

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for students with the most serious academic and behavioral challenges
• Strong belief in students as unique and capable individuals
• Effective use of restorative and therapeutic approaches for student and community growth
• Conscious of own identities and privileges and builds cultural responsiveness in self and others
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Careful, detail-oriented data management and analysis skills
• Flexible, positive, learning mindset focused on effective and innovative problem solving
• Dedicated to continually growing as a professional and as a servant leader

Details

• Start date: June 2023  
• Schedule: All full time NET positions are year-round
• Salary: Initial salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Future salary increases and bonuses are based on performance and responsibilities. 
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits and generous 403b retirement plan
• Reports to: CEO

Areas of Responsibility

In each of these areas of responsibility, the Principal works closely and collaboratively with a variety of individuals, primarily:

• Chief Executive Officer 
• Chief Operations Officer 
• NET:Gentilly Leadership Team (Dean of Students, Academic Dean, others as appropriate)
• NET:Gentilly Dept. Leads Team (Lead counselor, Internship Coordinator, Special Education Coordinator, etc.)
• NET:Central City Principal, NET: East Principal  
• NET Instructional Team (ED, Principals, and Academic Deans from both schools)
• NET:Gentilly staff

School Mission and Vision Alignment

• Develop and maintain a knowledge base in the NET’s cultural, pedagogical, and organizational practices 
• Train and support staff to understand and work with students in alignment with NET expectations 
• Monitor systems and staff to effectively produce the results expected by stakeholders, including: the Educators for Quality Alternatives Board, the Charter Authorizer, students and families
• Maintain high quality internal and external communication 
• Manage structured and informal feedback and data loops to ensure continuous improvement
• Provide consultation to Executive Director for long term strategic planning

• Stay current on national and international trends and best practices in both alternative and traditional education 

Staff Development and Accountability

• Recruit and select an effective and diverse team 
• Manage and develop staff using the NET’s Coaching and Professional Map system
• Design and provide both group and individualized professional development which is responsive and tailored to school-wide and position/individual-specific needs
• Observe, give feedback, and meet with direct reports on a weekly basis to provide both strategic direction and responsive support
• Observe, give feedback and meet with indirect reports on a rotating basis to accurately provide direction and support to them and their managers
• Design and provide high quality interventions and support to struggling staff

Culture and Behavior Development

• Model use of and actively promote restorative and therapeutic practices with students, staff, and families
• Research, select, design and implement high quality curricula, programs, and systems for school’s restorative, inclusive, and joyful culture 
• Maintain a safe, secure, and prepared facility and faculty
• Research, select, design and implement high quality supports for developing students’ behavioral skillfulness 

Curriculum and Instruction

• Research, select, design and implement high quality curricula, assessments and systems for school’s varied instructional approaches primarily: project based learning, differentiated instruction, and backwards design. Do so within the context of a variety of instructional settings including, but not limited to:
  • Project based seminar classes
  • Online and blended learning courses
  • Career & Technical Education
  • Internship based learning
  • RtI Interventions

• Develop, implement, monitor and adjust school wide and individual student plans and interventions
• Manage, analyze, and communicate academic and RtI data for individual student and school-wide improvement

Systems/Program Design, Management, and Compliance

• Insure effective and compliant school systems and programs including, but not limited to,:
  • Enrollment
  • Special Education
  • RtI
  • Pupil Progression
  • State Testing
  • Discipline
  • Internship Program
  • Next Steps Program
  • Counseling, social work & mental health
• With the Executive Director & Operations Director, manage school operational, financial, and data systems and programs.
• Proactively comply with all organizational, local, State, Federal, and funding requirements