Interim Upper School Principal (8/2025-12/2025)

Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school of choice, educates a diverse community of students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission. In the spirit of Paul Cuffee’s life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship. To learn more about our school, please visit us at www.paulcuffee.org

Reports to: Head of School

Hours: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Overview:

The Interim Upper School Principal supports the Head of School in establishing an instructional vision and a focused plan for improving student achievement; monitoring and supervising instruction; supporting teachers in using effective instructional practices; creating a community of continuous learning for all staff and students; and fostering a culture of high expectations for all students. 

Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide instructional leadership; participate in the development and evaluation of educational programs; encourage and support implementation of instructional programs, helping teachers pilot such efforts when appropriate; and promote the use of technology in learning and teaching processes
• Promote a positive, caring climate for learning; deal sensitively and fairly with all students, families and employees; demonstrate cultural competence, and communicate effectively with students, staff and parents
• Participate in development of school improvement plans with staff, parents, and community members; help head of school develop, maintain, and use information systems to track progress on school performance objectives and academic excellence indicators
• Observe employee performance, record observations, serve as evaluator for designated employee evaluation systems; and assist the head of school in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff
• Articulate the school’s mission to community and solicit its support in accomplishing the mission; and use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement
• Supervise operations as assigned by the head of school; may include activities such as daily school activities by participating in the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules; supervise monitoring of student attendance and investigate when appropriate and comply with federal and state laws, State Board of Education rules, and Board policy
• Ensure that students are adequately supervised during non-instructional periods; develop and/or help maintain a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior; ensure that school rules are uniformly observed and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable: conduct conferences on student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers
• Participate in professional growth to improve skills related to current and future job assignment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Rhode Island Building Administrator Certificate PK-12, or demonstrated eligibility to obtain certificate, is required
• Prior experience as a principal is preferred
• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Education is required
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience is required; in urban settings, preferred