Assistant Principal High Rock School SY 26-27

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive dynamic and multicultural community seeking an energetic skilled and warm Assistant Principalto join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency equity and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate. This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools 2 middle schools and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias bullying and hurtful acts that demean and diminish. Read more about our equity work here.

The High Rock School serves all sixth-grade students in Needhamwith an averageenrollment of 450 students each year. High Rock School addresses the specific academic social emotional and developmental needs of 11- & 12-year-old children.

The focus for instruction improvement and programming centers around Needham Public Schools investment in Equity and Portrait of a Needham Graduate Vision along with the High Rock School Values of Learning Self-Discovery and Caring for Others.

Diverse candidates especially those from historically marginalized and silenced groups such as educators of color are highly encouraged to apply.

Essential Functions and Duties of the Position

The essential functions and duties listed below are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Promotes a positive climate for learning sensitively supports all persons and actively works to create an inclusive anti-racist environment.
• Fosters a school environment that is physically and emotionally safe for all members.
• Collaborates closely with the community staff students and administration.
• Encourages parental involvement in students education and ensures effective and respectful communication with students and parents.
• Ensures that student conduct and attendance conform with the schools standards and school district policies.
• Supervises and evaluates teaching staff and other building employees in accordance with the school districts evaluation plan and makes recommendations regarding goals areas needing improvement and continued employment.
• Fosters opportunities for teacher and student leadership.
• Assists in a variety of staff development activities.
• Encourages staff to continue to grow professionally and to experiment with new approaches or strategies to teaching. Supervises and evaluates school programs/departments as assigned.
• Assists in the recruitment and selection of employees the proper maintenance of employee personnel files the administration of collective bargaining agreements corrective action and other human resource issues
• Maintains communication with the principal administration team and guidance relating to problems concerns activities and achievements of students and staff.
• Maintains communication between students parents staff and the community.
• Prepares cluster assignments/class schedules/master schedules and coordinates school-wide testing.
• Continues to acquire professional knowledge and learn current developments in the educational field by attending seminars workshops or professional meetings or by conducting research.
• Assists in ensuring that School Committee policies and procedures are implemented and followed at the school.
• Acts as the principal in the principals absence when instructed to do so.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Principal Superintendent and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Candidates should have evidence of instructional leadership potential that includes the following:

• Knowledge of adolescent development and of developmentally appropriate methods for communication interaction and intervention with students and families.
• Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices and the ability to develop a culturally proficient environment for students staff families and guests.
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy.
• Understanding of differentiated instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of middle school curriculum and concepts.
• Knowledge of effective administration practices program evaluation and staff supervision.
• Knowledge of data information systems data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to develop and implement projects.
• Excellent interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks and projects and conflicting time constraints.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation and ongoing professional reflection with regard to leadership performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain a high degree of diplomacy in responding to and resolving issues in a highly professional manner.

Education and Experience

• Masters Degree - preferably in Public School Administration School Leadership or related field.
• DESE License as a Middle School Principal/Assistant Principal (5-9).
• Successful teaching and/or educational experience with middle level students (ages 10-14).

License

Applicants must hold or be eligible for the middle school principal/assistant principal license.

Salary and Benefits

• The Middle School Assistant Principal is a 208-day position.
• Per diem salary range for a Masters is$491.28 - $630.48.
• The Uit B contract can be found online:Unit B Contract
• This is a full-time Assistant Principal position. 1.0 FTE

Start Date

July 1 2026

Selection Process & Timeline

• The closing date for applications isJanuary 16 2026
• Candidates selected for initial interview will be contacted byJanuary 20 2026 with interviews beginning thefourth week in January.
• The hiring process includes reviewing documents selecting candidates initial interviews (possibly over Zoom) selection of finalists second interview day with various groups in Needham writing samples a site visit of current employment and final interview with the Superintendent.
• Documents references and transcripts must be uploaded through the online application portal.

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion disability age active military/veteran status ancestry genetic information or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies employment policies and other administered programs and addition students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website.