Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary:
Middle School Principal - Atlas Public Schools
Location: St. Louis, MO
Reports to: Interim Chief Academic Officer
Position Overview
Atlas Public Schools is seeking a founding Middle School Principal to join our team for the 2026-2027 school year as we expand our growing elementary program into middle school. The Middle School Principal will play a critical leadership role in launching and building Atlas middle school program. In the 2026-2027 school year, Atlas will open with 5th and 6th grade, with a plan to grow one grade level each year through 8th grade. This leader will be responsible for designing, implementing, and operationalizing the systems that will support a strong middle school program for years to come. The Principal will oversee the successful day-to-day operation of the middle school program while building a joyful, rigorous learning environment for students and a collaborative, mission-aligned culture for staff and families. This role requires a highly organized and proactive leader who can both create systems from the ground up and ensure their consistent execution. The Principal manages schoolwide systems, supports and develops staff, and ensures alignment between school culture, instructional practices, and the broader goals of Atlas Public Schools. This leader works closely with instructional leadership, operations partners, the Atlas' Elementary School Principal and the broader Atlas network to ensure that both students and adults thrive. The Middle School Principal reports to the Interim Chief Academic Officer and collaborates closely with the Atlas leadership team to ensure a strong and sustainable launch of the middle school program.
Key Responsibilities
- Daily School Operations:
Ensure the smooth operation of all daily school functions by proactively identifying and addressing challenges. Guide and empower team members to problem-solve and implement solutions rather than solving issues directly. - Student Culture:
Establish and promote strong school-wide student culture systems that support a safe, welcoming, and joyful environment. Implement clear routines and expectations that foster positive behavior and student success. - School-Wide Celebrations:
Lead the planning and execution of major school events such as Atlas Honors, Back to School Nights, and Kindergarten Graduation, ensuring they reflect the schools mission and strengthen community. - Internal Communication:
Provide clear and consistent communication to the Atlas Team through multiple formats (e.g., email, Slack, weekly newsletters) to keep all staff informed of key decisions, priorities, and changes to school routines. - Instructional Operations:
Oversee core instructional operations, including daily procedures like arrival and dismissal, and periodic systems such as report cards and student-led conferences. Ensure all systems are well-planned and consistently executed. - Family Engagement:
Lead and support the Atlas Family Council by fostering partnerships with families, facilitating regular meetings, and incorporating family voice into school decision-making and culture-building. - Attendance:
Oversee the effectiveness of the Attendance Team, led by the Social Worker, by setting goals, reviewing data, and ensuring strong attendance strategies are implemented in partnership with families. - Staff Culture:
Cultivate a positive, inclusive, and high-performing staff culture by setting expectations, modeling Atlas values, celebrating staff wins, and leading structures that support collaboration and growth. - Student Support:
Oversee the Student Support Team (SST) process to ensure students facing challenges in attendance, behavior, or academics receive timely and coordinated interventions, including family engagement and retention discussions when needed. - Professional Development & Intersession Planning:
Lead strategic planning and professional development during intersessions, aligning work to school goals and creating space for reflection, growth, and planning for future success. - Staffing and Transitions:
Oversee staffing and personnel transitions, including mid-year changes and new hire onboarding. Ensure clear, timely communication to staff and strategic decisions that support continuity and culture. - Enrollment & Budget Planning:
Partner with the recruitment team to set and meet student enrollment targets. Actively participate in outreach and build a school environment that attracts and retains families. Develop contingency budgets aligned to staffing models and academic priorities. - Team Coaching:
Coach and support the Culture Team, ensuring alignment with behavior and SEL systems. Support their work to create a safe, inclusive environment. Provide feedback, facilitate collaboration, and guide growth.
- Building Team Alignment
Streamline and coordinate systems of support across the building by leveraging the full building level team. Generate alignment through a consistent cadence of meetings that brings all leaders together consistently and keeps them moving in one direction together.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a teacher and school leader or senior instructional/culture leader
- Demonstrated success in managing teams and leading through others
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Commitment to educational equity and the mission of Atlas Public Schools
- Deep knowledge of school operations, student culture systems, and instructional best practices
- Missouri Admin Certification