Manhattan Charter Schools (the Schools) are two high-performing charter schools located on the Lower East Side in New York City. The Schools are committed to providing its students with the tools and support necessary for success. Since its founding in 2005 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Manhattan Charter School (MCS) has consistently achieved high levels of success. In 2012, MCS opened Manhattan Charter School 2 (MCS2), a replication of MCS located a few blocks away, expanding on the groundwork laid by MCS and bringing high levels of academic achievement to more students.
Our vision is to offer a high-quality, public school education that will help close the opportunity, imagination, and achievement gaps for our high-need students by empowering, inspiring, and equipping them to fulfill their potential.
Our mission is to teach our students how to learn and love doing it, how to cultivate their curious minds for the rest of their lives, and how to develop a solid foundation on which to base wise choices and build meaningful lives.
Location: Network-wide | Reports to: Network Leadership Team
Compensation: $90,000 - $120,000
The Principal-in-Residence (PIR) is a full-time leadership development role designed to prepare future school leaders through a network-led residency program. The PIR will work in close partnership with both school-based and network-level leaders to gain exposure to high-impact leadership practices across our schools. Through a structured blend of mentorship, strategic project work, professional learning, and school immersion experiences, the PIR will develop the competencies necessary to lead a school that delivers excellent outcomes for all students.
This program emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and a systems-level understanding of what it takes to lead a high-performing charter school within a network.
Participate in a structured leadership development program anchored in the network's core leadership competencies and aligned to principal readiness.
Engage in ongoing mentorship and coaching from network and school leaders.
Collaborate with network teams (e.g., Curriculum & Instruction, Operations, Talent, and Student Support) to learn network-wide best practices and initiatives.
Contribute to cross-school or cross-functional projects that improve student achievement or operational excellence network-wide.
Partner with one or more host principals to learn the daily responsibilities of school leadership, with rotating immersion experiences across grade bands or school types as applicable.
Support execution of key priorities such as school improvement planning, instructional leadership cycles, or family engagement efforts.
Lead selected initiatives or pilot programs to gain hands-on leadership experience.
Analyze student achievement and formative data to support academic decision-making.
Observe and provide feedback to teachers, supported by school or network coaches.
Co-plan and co-facilitate professional development sessions and instructional team meetings.
Learn school operations and compliance through shadowing and project-based experiences in budgeting, scheduling, state assessments, and systems management.
Participate in key planning and strategy meetings with school and network leadership teams.
Support and refine high-impact systems that ensure safe, efficient, and effective school operations.
Build strong relationships with students, families, and staff to understand the school's community and culture.
Learn and practice restorative, equity-driven approaches to student and staff engagement.
Champion initiatives that promote belonging, equity, and inclusion across school communities.
Master's degree in Education, School Administration, or related field (or actively enrolled).
State certification as a School Building Leader (SBL), or equivalent, preferred or required upon completion.
At least 3 years of experience in education, including classroom instruction and/or instructional leadership roles.
Demonstrated track record of improving student outcomes and fostering high expectations.
Experience in urban education or charter schools strongly preferred.
A clear and demonstrated aspiration to lead a school as principal.
Strong instructional acumen and belief in every child's potential.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Strong relationship-building, communication, and coaching skills.
Eagerness to learn from others and openness to feedback.
Deep alignment with the network's values: Curiosity, Opportunity, and Courage.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Manhattan Charter Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.