About Detroit Cristo Rey
Located in the heart of Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit, Detroit Cristo Rey High School (DCRHS) is a diverse learning community that educates young people of limited economic means to become men and women of faith, purpose, and service. Our rigorous and personalized Catholic college preparatory curriculum, combined with a corporate work-study experience, sets our students up for success in college and beyond. DCRHS is part of the Cristo Rey Network, which has been delivering a proven educational model for over 25 years.
At DCRHS, faculty and staff play an essential role in building relationships that are foundational to student success. We pride ourselves on a 100% college acceptance rate since our first graduating class in 2012, with the aspiration that all our students will graduate from high school and college and become future leaders in various sectors of society.
Position Overview
The Dean of Students is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, healthy, and supportive environment, as well as a school culture that holistically supports the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development of our students. The Dean plays a key role in establishing and sustaining a culture of high expectations and continuous support for all teachers and students. This role promotes and enforces a professional and respectful school environment. The Dean of Students is a member of the administrative team.
Primary Responsibilities
School Goals and Objectives: Collaborate with school leadership to develop goals that align with the academic vision. Exhibit growth-oriented leadership and advocate for consistent implementation of school-wide cultural and academic objectives for both teachers and students.
Classroom Observations: Regularly visit classrooms to support teachers.
School Culture: Foster a school culture that encourages diversity, upholds professionalism, and teaches students to respect differences, take responsibility for their actions, and exercise integrity and leadership. Design, implement, and sustain a high-expectation culture that supports achievement among all students by helping teachers create supportive classroom environments and coordinating efforts among counselors, interventionists, and classroom teachers. Maintain strong engagement, trust, and support with students, faculty, and parents/families through ongoing proactive communication.
Student Behavioral Support: Develop and implement programs or personal counseling to promote positive student behavior, alongside intervention strategies that foster a culture of success and reduce student attrition. Create systems and structures to minimize time spent on reactive discipline by ensuring the consistent application of research-based best practices that support high levels of student engagement, belonging, and success in classrooms.
Discipline Systems: Enhance and implement the school’s discipline system and necessary structures to promote student achievement and character development, both inside and outside the classroom.
Records Management: Maintain accurate discipline and behavior records, including producing contracts with students and parents, and sharing weekly student discipline reports with the Principal.
Dress Code Coordination: Collaborate with the CWSP Director and the AP of Student Life to coordinate and implement the school’s dress code.
Discipline Policy Administration: Supervise the administration of the school’s discipline policies. Administer appropriate consequences for behavior, including detention,in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, and discipline behavior reviews.
Parent and Family Engagement: Work closely and effectively with parents and families to support students who are struggling to meet expectations. Develop and implement initiatives to promote family involvement at school and support parental development related to student academic success and character formation.
Visible Presence: Maintain a consistent and visible presence throughout the school building during the school day and at school-based events.
PowerSchool Management: Serve as a PowerSchool expert to ensure efficient data management and reporting.
Staff Recruitment and Onboarding: Assist in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding highly effective teachers and staff.
Professional Development: Engage in professional development opportunities provided by the Cristo Rey Network and deliver ongoing professional development that aligns with best practices and the school’s needs.
Meeting Participation: Attend administrative meetings to contribute to discussions and decision-making processes.
Data and Assessment Analysis: Analyze attendance records, behavioral data, enrichment participation, and academic grades to identify learning gaps and adjust educational strategies accordingly.
Strategic Planning Contribution: Contribute to future strategic planning processes and updates to school-wide plans, including the Cristo Rey Network Mission Effectiveness Review (MER) and Cognia evaluations.
Collaboration: Collaborate with the AP of Academics and/or the Academic Team to plan and deliver professional development for teachers on Domains 2 and 3 of the Danielson Framework. In addition, revise and update the Student Parent Handbook. Serve as a member of the Academic Leadership Team and the Student Success Team to identify and support students who are struggling academically, behaviorally, or emotionally.
Daily Operations Management: Manage various aspects of daily school operations, including managing daily detention, arrival/dismissal, lunch, school trips, extracurricular activities, and events.
Retention Efforts: Support student recruitment, enrollment, and retention initiatives.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in Education or Educational Leadership
- At least 3 years of high school experience as a dean of students, coaching teacher, department chair, AP, or program coordinator is highly preferred.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Proficient in data management systems, particularly PowerSchool.
- Dedicated to promoting a positive and inclusive educational environment.
- Commitment to Cristo Rey’s mission and Catholic, faith-based education.
- Ability to connect with families of limited economic means.
- Proven experience in analyzing and utilizing multiple sources of data to enhance student academic achievement.
- Background in designing and implementing student academic improvement plans.
- Commitment to personal and professional integrity and strong moral character.
- Motivated by the potential accomplishments, innovations, and challenges associated with a growing institution.
