SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy Overview
SR1 is an award-winning non-profit located in Ridgeland, MS, with over 10 years of experience in providing high-quality college preparatory services to K-12 students in Central Mississippi. SR1 has been authorized to open SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA), the first public, free charter school focused on College Preparatory STEM education.
Position Overview
Are you an educational leader looking to help build a National Blue Ribbon school from the ground up? Look no further than SR1 College Preparatory and STEM Academy (SR1 CPSA) K-5 School for an opportunity to lay the foundation for years to come.
Located in rural Madison County (Canton, MS), SR1 CPSA is seeking an Elementary Principal (Provost) who is an educational and entrepreneurial startup visionary with the skills to modernize education and tackle societal challenges to promote the highest level of college access and success. The Elementary Principal will assist with planning, policy development, school design, hiring of professional staff, curriculum development, student recruitment, school culture, and other critical startup needs for the 2024-2025 academic year. SR1 CPSA will initially serve Grades K, 1st, and 2nd and will add one grade per year.
SR1 CPSA Overview
America is a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators, and our economic vitality and national security depend on strengthening that vibrant culture for all. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are fields in which our children need fluency. STEM skills will be expected of virtually everyone in tomorrow’s workforce.
SR1 believes the best time to teach STEM is when students are young, as children are natural STEM learners due to their curiosity and imagination. SR1 aims to make America STEM-strong by addressing educational challenges in Mississippi, a state that has faced significant equity challenges but has immense talent and potential to overcome them.
The mission of SR1 CPSA is to prepare students for success in college and beyond. As a high-performing, innovative free public charter school in rural Madison County (Canton, MS), SR1 CPSA will serve students from K to 5th grade on a creative campus starting in 2026. To learn more about SR1 CPSA’s proposed campus, please visit SR1CPSA.org.
Guiding Principles
Our model is based on the following guiding principles:
- Creating a community built upon genuine and meaningful relationships.
- Differentiation of instruction and support for all students and team members.
- High expectations for academic growth and character development, preparing students for success in college and beyond.
Educational Equity Beliefs
The SR1 CPSA Principal should foster community empowerment and partnerships through education and global initiatives, creating a learning environment that celebrates diversity and encourages cultural exchange. By emphasizing these values, SR1 CPSA can become a leader in international and multicultural learning, inspiring students and the community to thrive in an interconnected world.
Mission Accomplishment
SR1 CPSA’s mission is accomplished by:
- Cultivating an environment where all students and staff are known, valued, and supported.
- Delivering individualized academic support daily.
- Pairing a rigorous curriculum with intense personal support and high academic expectations for each student.
Elementary Principal (Provost) Responsibilities
- School Culture: Define and build a transformative school culture consistent with SR1 CPSA’s core values and mission. Design and implement programs, initiatives, and school-wide rituals that promote the culture.
- Instructional Leadership: Maintain a school-wide focus on high standards of student achievement, ensuring state standards are met, analyzing data to increase student achievement, and supporting teachers in their professional development.
- Student Management: Implement behavior management tools, oversee staff training, and ensure consistent school-wide deployment of these tools.
- Staff Resource: Serve as a resource to teachers on instructional practices, school culture, and professional development.
- Student Motivation: Develop school-wide programs to incentivize positive behaviors and create a school identity using concepts like positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS).
- Talent Acquisition & Development: Manage academic staff recruitment and training, provide feedback and evaluations, secure professional development opportunities, and develop a collaborative team culture.
- Partnerships: Establish partnerships with universities and businesses to provide students with opportunities for advanced academic programs, internships, and real-world experiences.
Qualifications and Skills
The Principal (Provost) must:
- Be committed to diversity, professionalism, inclusion, and equity among staff and students.
- Exercise strong leadership and team skills.
- Assist with designing indoor and outdoor learning environments.
- Be a self-aware leader with respect for all community members.
- Have superb organizational and self-management skills.
- Be dedicated to helping all SR1 CPSA students achieve academic success.
- Be passionate about academic excellence and rigor.
- Understand current and future STEM trends.
- Be innovative in project-based and outdoor learning.
- Assist in Mississippi Department of Education reporting and be proficient in student information systems like PowerSchool.
Candidates Must Have
- MS School Administrator licensure.
- STEM awareness connecting student learning to real-world applications.
- At least two years of successful teaching experience.
- Leadership experience (e.g., grade level leader, department chair).
- A track record of elevating student achievement in underserved schools.
- Strong strategic planning, leadership, and communication skills.
- An advanced degree from a competitive university is strongly preferred.
SR1 CPSA Demographics and Theory of Change
Many students will arrive significantly behind grade level. It is forecasted that many will come from underrepresented groups with less than a 10% likelihood of graduating with a four-year degree. Our mission is for each child to ultimately graduate from college with the social skills to contribute positively to society.
Additional Information
SR1 CPSA is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diversity and cultural richness of our world. We believe that global awareness and equity are critical to our mission. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates student voices in preparation for life and college.
SR1 CPSA offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience, a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, professional development, and retirement benefits as part of the state pension plan.
For more information, visit www.SR1CPSA.org.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $75,000.00 - $92,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Grade levels:
Schedule:
School type:
- Charter school
- Public school
Education:
Experience:
- Administration: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
Ability to Relocate:
- Canton, MS: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person