Assistant Principal

Do you believe that:

“No single literacy activity has a more positive effect on students’ comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading.” — Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer

“[Play] is our brain’s favorite way of learning … a process as instinctive as breathing.” — Diane Ackerman, Deep Play

“When children have some choice and control over their learning, they are more motivated, more persistent, and more successful.” — Alfie Kohn, The Schools Our Children Deserve

“Since learning is almost always a social pursuit, strong relationships with teachers and classmates can inspire students like little else.” — Tom Little, Loving Learning

“The desire to feel connected to others is a powerful and motivating force within us.” — Jane Nelsen & Chip DeLorenzo, Positive Discipline

If these ideas energize you—if you see children as curious, joyful learners who thrive when given room to read, play, question, build, and belong, and you’re excited to work closely with upper elementary students and teachers—then you may be the type of educator we are looking for.

About Strive Charter School

Strive Charter School is opening its doors in Fall 2026 in a newly renovated historic school building at 604 E. 139th Street in the South Bronx, one block from the 6 train and just minutes from Manhattan.

Strive is built around a simple but radical belief: when children are given abundant time, meaningful choice, joyful relationships, and a rich environment for reading and play, they soar.

We are an extended-time elementary school with a progressive, child-centered approach to teaching and learning. We see academic excellence and whole-child development not as competing priorities but as mutually reinforcing. Standardized tests matter—but so do deep curiosity, intrinsic motivation, social skills, and a love of learning.

Our school culture is warm, friendly, relaxed, and rooted in positive discipline, genuine respect, and strong relationships. We believe school should feel like a second home: a place where children want to be, families feel welcomed, and educators can do the best work of their careers.

Responsibilities

As a Founding Assistant Principal, Upper Grades, you will play a central role in launching Strive Charter School and translating its vision into daily practice. Working closely with the Founding Principal, you will help build systems, support teachers, and ensure that students experience a joyful, rigorous, and nurturing learning environment, with a special focus on our upper elementary grades.

You will:

• Partner with our Principal to implement Strive’s instructional vision, ensuring classrooms reflect our values of literacy, play, choice, and deep engagement, especially in the upper grades.
• Support, coach, and develop teachers through observations, feedback, modeling, and collaborative planning, with a focus on upper elementary classrooms.
• Help establish and uphold a positive school culture grounded in strong relationships, restorative practices, and consistent expectations.
• Play an active role in student support, including monitoring academic progress, social-emotional development, and behavioral needs, especially for older elementary students.
• Collaborate with families through open, respectful, and solution-oriented communication.
• Assist in hiring and onboarding staff, particularly teachers and support staff.
• Help manage day-to-day school operations, including schedules, coverage, and coordination across an extended-day, extended-year model.
• Serve as a visible and trusted leader for students and staff throughout the school day, including during morning arrival, transitions, and dismissal.

This role reports to our Principal and is ideal for an educator who wants significant responsibility, mentorship, and the opportunity to grow into senior school leadership.

Hours and School Year

We will adopt a schedule to ensure that all of our hours are covered by requiring each assistant principal to work 50 hours per week. 

Assistant principals will have a total of approximately 6 weeks of PTO per year:

• 2 weeks off when our school is closed for our winter and summer holidays.
• 5 days when our school is closed for certain federal holidays.
• 2 weeks of vacation days that should be scheduled during the summer. 
• 5 days of sick/safety leave that can be converted to vacation days if not used.

Salary of $100,000 to $120,000 depending on experience.

Strive offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial security, and work–life balance. Benefits include health coverage, paid time off, and access to retirement savings options, along with a supportive and collaborative professional environment.

Requirements:

We are looking for someone who:

• Is genuinely excited by Strive’s model and passionate about innovation.
• Is eager to serve families in the South Bronx.
• Has at least two years of teaching and/or school administrative experience in a preschool, elementary school, or middle school.
• Has experience working with upper elementary and/or middle school students.
• Understands the academic, social, and behavioral needs of older elementary students.
• Thrives in a start-up environment and is energized by building something meaningful.