SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

Principal Eligibility Application Spring 2024-2025

NOW OPEN!

The School District of Philadelphia is excited to announce the opening of our Principal Eligibility Application Pool. We are seeking visionary leaders ready to make a significant impact in our schools and communities and Accelerate Philly. We invite you to apply to inspire the next generation of learners in the fastest-improving urban district in the nation!  You must possess a Principal certification (out-of-state certifications must be eligible for reciprocity) and submit an application with your resume, references, and upload your essay responses.Your application will be evaluated based on your application, essays, and active certification.Once accepted into the pool, you will be eligible to apply for school-based positions as they become available.

Schools with Current Vacancies:

• Cook-Wissahickon School
• George W. Childs
• Girard Academic Music Program
  • GAMP serves both middle and high school students. Preference will be given to principal candidates with demonstrated experience in leading at both levels.
  • GAMP is an integrated academic and music program. Ideal candidates will possess a strong understanding of and experience supporting both academic rigor and robust music education.
  • GAMP reflects the diversity of Philadelphia, serving a student body and families from a wide range of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic backgrounds. Candidates must have a proven track record of success in working with and supporting diverse school communities.
• John F. McCloskey School
• Parkway Northwest High School

Principal Eligibility Pool Process and Timeline

• Applications will be accepted from March 3 through March 21, 2025
• Completed applications will be reviewed and essays will be scored. 
• To have your application considered complete, you must submit the application in Taleo with all relevant information AND upload  your essay response to the Google form linked HERE AND upload your active Pennsylvania administrative certification AND provide your PPID #.
  
  • ALL APPLICANTS  must submit an application in Taleo. 
    • *If you were a candidate that applied to the Principal pool in Fall of 2024/2025 and made it to the interview process you DO NOT need to submit a new essay response. 
    • *If you DID NOT make it to the interview process in Fall 2024/2025 you MUST complete a new essay response. 
      • Essay Questions are as follows and you MUST respond to each question:
        • Essay Question #1
          How have you successfully balanced the pursuit of academic excellence with the social-emotional development of students in your current role? Please provide specific examples of initiatives or strategies you have implemented that have led to measurable improvements in both academic performance and the social-emotional well-being of students. Include any data or evidence that supports the effectiveness of your approach. Please ensure you provide clear context if you provide data and please ensure all information is legible.(500 word maximum)
          
        • Essay Question #2
          How do you effectively manage school budgets and talent? Share specific strategies for resource allocation and staff recruitment, development, and retention that have positively impacted your school.(500 word maximum)

Completed applications include

• SDP Application in Taleo HERE 
• Upload Essay Submission HERE
• Pennsylvania Department of Education Principal Certification I

Candidates will be notified by March 27, 2025 if they will be invited to interview.

Information sessions:

• Principal Eligibility Pool Interest Date: Monday, March 10, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Location: ZOOM (Link will be shared with those who RSVP by March 7,  2025) RSVP HERE

*This is a CASA-represented role. 

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to transforming the education opportunities it offers the city's 200,000 school-aged children. The district seeks school leaders who have a passion for working with children and leading innovation to ensure all students achieve.  With a diverse complement of over 200 schools, the district offers a wide range of school leadership opportunities.  Successful District principals are highly motivated, persistent and creative educators who are able to align a school's resources, systems and people around a rigorous instructional program.  A principalship in the district provides the chance to be an integral part of an urban education renewal effort from its inception.

Job Summary

Principals for the School District of Philadelphia serve as the instructional and operational leader of a District school. Principals provide a clear vision for learning for all students; ensure a safe, secure and orderly learning environment; and cultivate strong relationships with and acts in service to diverse stakeholders, including families and communities.  Principals are expected to promote high-quality instructional practices, passionately enjoy working with children, and believe that all students can achieve.  Principals are responsible for selecting and assigning staff, supporting differentiated professional growth and building the leadership capacity of staff.  Principals in the District must collect, analyze and use multiple sources of data to guide continuous improvement in student achievement, manage school operations, and effectively evaluate and develop staff. 

Areas of Opportunity

• Large high schools (>1000 students)
• Acceleration schools (intense focus on immediately accelerating student growth/achievement trends)
• New school models
• High-performing, special admission schools
• Small neighborhood elementary schools
• Schools serving bilingual families and students

All newly appointed principals are required to attend the New Principals' Academy Summer Institute. More definitive dates and information upon hiring.

Essential Functions

• Develop, articulate, steward, and operationalize a clear vision for learning for all students and implement a strategic plan to accomplish that vision
• Ensure that all school stakeholders are able to articulate a clear and shared vision for learning
• Ensure a safe, secure and orderly environment for all
• Promote high-quality instructional practices that consistently allow for excellent instruction school-wide
• Be visible and consistent presence throughout the school
• Provide teachers with timely and constructive feedback on classroom instruction to develop teacher practice
• Clearly communicate learning and development goals that reflect high expectations for learning and growth, a belief that all students can learn, and a commitment to meet each student's educational needs
• Develop a culture of collegial and professional relationships among staff and students that promote critical reflection, shared accountability, and continuous improvement
• Manage conflict constructively at all levels
• Develop systems and a school culture that promotes peer feedback, support, and collaboration
• Carefully select and effectively assign staff
• Support the professional growth of staff members in a differentiated manner based on identified needs and individual goals
• Deliberately build leadership capacity among staff
• Collect, analyze, and use multiple sources of data to guide continuous improvement in student achievement, student and staff well-being, and professional development for staff
• Develop positive and collaborative relationships with families
• Self-motivated to initiate and sustain relationships with community business, cultural and not for profit partners
• Manage the school budget, requisitions, and all school funds
• Oversee the upkeep of school facilities and physical plant

Essential Competencies

• Ability to motivate staff, students and families around the vision of the school
• Clear and effective communication skills for diverse audiences including students, staff and families
• Well-organized, ability to balance competing priorities and multi-task
• Passion for developing staff's instructional and leadership capacities
• Leadership style that encourages teamwork and collaboration to support excellent instruction
• Willingness to foster creativity and innovation
• Persistence in the face of obstacles, productive problem-solving to counter setbacks, initiative to seize opportunities to make change
• Belief in student empowerment and willingness to allow students to play an active role in supporting the school's vision and climate
• Commitment to the service of students and families
• Ability to reflect on how to improve, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, willingness to take responsibility for actions and mistakes
• Empathy for the perspectives of students, staff and stakeholders
• Clear understanding of policies and law affecting special populations, LEP students and students receiving special education services
• Ability to model an exemplary work ethic

Qualifications - External

Minimum Requirements

• Master's Degree from an accredited educational institution
• Five years of full-time, paid, professional educational experience, two of which have been as a Principal or Assistant Principal, educational administrator or other leadership position at the elementary, middle or secondary school level.
• Valid PDE Administrative certification

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Certificates/Licenses

Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate for an Elementary or Secondary School Principal

REMINDER TO:

• Complete Application in Taleo
• Upload Essays
• Upload Administrative Certification
• Provide PPID #

About The School District of Philadelphia

School District of Philadelphia

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