Lower School Principal

Job Summary:

Lakes International Language Academy (LILA), the Upper Midwest’s leading provider of language immersion and International Baccalaureate education, is seeking an exceptional Lower School Principal. This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving community and build on the strong foundation established by our retiring principal, who has served our students, staff, and families with skill and dedication for the past seven years.

The Lower School Principal will provide leadership for all programs, services, staff, and students, ensuring the best possible opportunities for student development, academic growth, and social, emotional, and physical well-being.

Introduction to LILA:

LILA was the first public school in the 5-state region to become authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate in combination with full language immersion. The initial offering was in Spanish, and soon thereafter Mandarin was added as an immersion option for families. Opening in 2004 with 177 students in grades K-4, the school steadily grew, adding grades 5 and 6, then preschool, and finally the Upper School, now encompassing grades 6-12. LILA’s student population numbers over 1400, with more than 800 students at the Lower School, in grades PK-5.

LILA Mission Statement:

LILA prepares tomorrow’s critical thinkers and global citizens through language acquisition and inquiry-driven study.

Our Commitment to Belonging:

The LILA Community (students, families, and staff) includes people of varied racial and ethnic backgrounds, home languages, belief systems, socioeconomic statuses, gender identities, sexual orientations, political affiliations, and abilities. We endeavor to see each child as an individual and to recognize their strengths and needs, in order to provide an equitable education to each student. We are grateful for our diverse LILA Community, and welcome all to join us in our mission. [continued online]

Our Action Statements:

• Think for myself.
• Think about others.
• Think beyond today. 

Key Responsibilities:

School Leadership & Administration:

• Internalize and apply the LILA mission statement in all decision-making.
• Maintain effective communication to keep staff, students, and parents informed and engaged.
• Develop and administer the general school routine and coordinate activities within the school building.
• Plan and submit annual budget needs for the building to the CFO before April 1 of each year.
• Oversee all staff requests for instructional materials and equipment within the approved budget.
• Ensure school records are up to date and available for reporting.

Instructional Leadership & Staff Development:

• Lead the selection of new staff and promote staff development.
• Supervise and support all staff assigned to Pre-K through 5th grade.
• Promote best practices in language immersion, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Responsive Classroom methodologies.
• Foster high expectations for student academic growth through data-driven decision-making and the school’s articulated curriculum.

Student Support & Culture:

• Maintain a positive culture and learning environment through the IB framework.
• Identify and address intellectual, physical, social, and emotional needs affecting students’ well-being and growth.
• Establish and uphold a standard of student behavior that fosters a positive learning environment.
• Resolve student behavioral problems effectively and proactively.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Actively participate and encourage staff participation in parent-teacher and community groups.
• Represent the school at recreational, social, and athletic functions.
• Support and enhance the school’s commitment to belonging, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a similar administrative role.
• Knowledge of best practices in:
  • International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • Language immersion education
  • Responsive Classroom techniques
• Expertise in child development and leading a diverse, international staff.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a cohesive team.
• Proficiency in Minnesota Principal Competencies.

Annual Salary: $100,000–$125,000
 

FTE: 1.0

Benefits: 

• Medical Insurance
• Nice HealthCare (The Clinic that Comes To You) provided with enrollment in Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• MN Teacher Retirement Association (TRA) contributions
• Flexible Medical and Child Care Spending Accounts
• 20 days of vacation leave per year
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• 12 holidays per year
  • New Years Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Good Friday 
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth 
  • July 4 (or observed holiday)
  • Labor Day 
  • Thanksgiving 
  • Thanksgiving Friday 
  • Christmas Day
  • 2 additional days during winter break

Vital Statistics:

Students:

• Total enrollment: 1,424 students (PK-12)
• Lower School enrollment: 829 students
• Student retention for 2023-24: 92%

Demographics:

• American Indian: 1.4%
• Asian: 4.4%
• Black or African American: 2.5%
• Hispanic or Latino: 12.0%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.2%
• Other Indigenous Peoples: 0.1%
• White: 75.2%
• Two or more races: 4.2%
• English Learners: 3.9%
• Special Education: 12.4%
• Free/Reduced-Price Meals: 17.7%
• Homeless: 0.5%

Staff:

• Total staff: 281 (PK-12)
• Licensed staff: 124 (PK-12)
• Lower School licensed staff: 62
• Licensed staff retention for 2023-24: 84%
• Student-teacher ratio: 14:1

Physical Requirements: This position requires vocal communication, hearing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, use of hands to grasp and feel, and vision abilities including close, distance, and adjusting focus. Lifting/moving is frequently required up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds or more. Work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and is generally in a moderately noisy location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

There is no place like LILA!

To Apply: Visit www.mylila.org/careers.