The Assistant Principal at Sage K-8 serves as a key member of the school leadership team and supports the Principal in creating a safe, structured, academically focused, and student-centered learning environment. This position is responsible for supporting daily school operations, student behavior systems, instructional leadership, teacher coaching, attendance initiatives, parent communication, compliance, and campus culture.
Because Sage K-8 serves both elementary and middle school students, the Assistant Principal must understand the developmental needs of younger learners while also effectively addressing the increased behavioral, social-emotional, and academic needs of middle-grade students. The ideal candidate is visible, organized, collaborative, calm under pressure, student-focused, and able to balance accountability with compassion.
The Assistant Principal will help ensure Sage K-8 maintains high expectations for student achievement, staff performance, family engagement, school safety, and compliance with district, state, and charter requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
School Leadership and Operations
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Assist the Principal in the daily administration and operation of Sage K-8.
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Provide visible leadership before school, during transitions, lunch periods, dismissal, and school events.
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Support the implementation of school-wide systems, procedures, routines, and expectations.
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Assist with campus supervision, safety procedures, emergency drills, crisis response, and student supervision.
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Help ensure the school environment is orderly, welcoming, inclusive, and focused on learning.
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Serve as administrator-in-charge when assigned by the Principal.
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Support master scheduling, student placement, testing coordination, duty schedules, and operational needs.
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Collaborate with the Principal and campus support staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
Student Discipline, Culture, and Behavior Support
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Administer student discipline in a fair, consistent, restorative, and legally compliant manner.
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Investigate student conduct concerns, document incidents, communicate with families, and assign appropriate interventions or consequences.
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Support implementation of positive behavior systems, restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed responses.
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Work with teachers to proactively address classroom management concerns.
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Monitor behavior trends and recommend interventions for individual students and student groups.
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Support students with behavioral challenges while maintaining high expectations for conduct and personal responsibility.
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Ensure discipline practices are developmentally appropriate for both elementary and middle school students.
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Utilize de-escalation strategies and trauma-informed responses when addressing student behavioral or crisis situations.
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Serve as part of a collaborative campus support team with the Principal and social worker to identify student needs, coordinate interventions, monitor progress, and respond to barriers impacting student success.
Instructional Leadership and Teacher Support
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Conduct classroom walkthroughs and provide timely, constructive feedback to teachers.
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Assist the Principal with teacher coaching, instructional improvement, and professional development.
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Support implementation of curriculum, intervention systems, formative assessment practices, and instructional expectations.
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Help teachers use student achievement data to improve instruction and identify students needing academic support.
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Participate in teacher evaluation processes as assigned and consistent with district policy.
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Support new teachers through onboarding, mentoring, classroom management assistance, and regular check-ins.
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Promote instructional practices that are engaging, standards-aligned, culturally responsive, and appropriate for K-8 learners.
Attendance, Student Engagement, and Retention
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Monitor student attendance, chronic absenteeism, tardiness, and disengagement.
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Work with families, teachers, counselors, social workers, and support staff to develop attendance improvement plans.
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Assist with student retention strategies by helping create a school environment where students feel connected, supported, and academically successful.
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Support re-engagement efforts for students who are frequently absent, struggling behaviorally, or at risk of withdrawal.
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Collaborate with interventionists, counselors, and support teams to identify and address barriers impacting student success.
Family and Community Engagement
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Communicate regularly and professionally with parents and guardians regarding student progress, behavior, attendance, and school expectations.
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Participate in parent meetings, student support meetings, disciplinary conferences, and school events.
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Build positive relationships with families while maintaining professional boundaries and accountability.
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Help families understand school procedures, expectations, available supports, and student responsibilities.
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Represent Sage K-8 and Career Success Schools in a professional and positive manner.
Compliance and Student Support Services
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Support compliance with district policies, charter requirements, state regulations, and student records procedures.
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Assist with implementation and monitoring of 504 plans, IEP-related supports, MTSS processes, and student intervention plans in coordination with appropriate staff.
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Ensure documentation related to discipline, attendance, parent communication, safety incidents, and interventions is accurate and timely.
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Participate in required reporting, audits, investigations, and compliance reviews as assigned.
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Maintain confidentiality regarding student, family, personnel, and school matters.
Staff Culture and Professional Expectations
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Model professionalism, ethical conduct, emotional maturity, and respectful communication.
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Support a positive staff culture grounded in accountability, teamwork, and student-centered decision-making.
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Assist in addressing staff concerns, performance issues, and professional conduct matters as directed by the Principal.
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Promote collaboration among teachers, support staff, families, and district leadership.
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Maintain calm, solution-focused leadership during conflict or crisis situations.
Required Qualifications
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Master's degree in Educational Leadership, Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or related field preferred.
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Valid Arizona Principal Certificate or eligibility for Arizona administrative certification strongly preferred.
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Valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.
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Minimum of three to five years of successful teaching or school-based instructional experience.
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Demonstrated ability to manage student discipline and support positive school culture.
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Strong understanding of K-8 instruction, student development, classroom management, and school operations.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Ability to work effectively with students, families, teachers, support staff, and district leadership.
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Experience in a charter school, alternative school, urban school, or high-needs school environment preferred.
Preferred Qualifications
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Prior experience as an assistant principal, dean of students, instructional coach, lead teacher, or school administrator.
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Experience with K-8 student discipline and restorative practices.
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Experience supporting teachers through observation, coaching, and feedback.
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Knowledge of MTSS, special education procedures, 504 processes, attendance intervention, and student support systems.
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Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.
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Experience working with diverse student populations and families.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Strong judgment and decision-making skills.
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Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
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Strong classroom management and student behavior expertise.
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Ability to balance student support with accountability.
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Ability to analyze data and use it to improve student outcomes.
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Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
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Ability to build trust with students, families, and staff.
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Ability to communicate difficult information clearly and professionally.
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Commitment to the mission of Career Success Schools and the success of Sage K-8 students.
Physical and Work Requirements
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Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the campus for extended periods.
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Ability to respond quickly to student supervision, safety, and emergency situations.
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Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for school events, family meetings, or district activities.
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Ability to use standard office equipment, student information systems, and school communication platforms.
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Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a campus support team focused on student achievement, wellness, and intervention services.
