High School Principal (SY 26-27)

Company: District of Columbia International School
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 14, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Who We Are District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a public charter school serving over 1600 racially and economically diverse students in grades 6-12 from across the District of Columbia. We aim to provide our students with a world-class education that empowers them to follow their passions and change the world. DCI's education centers on an International Baccalaureate curriculum, advanced language learning in Chinese, Spanish, and French, and a culture focused on student agency supported by 1:1 technology. DCI is seeking a highly motivated and skilled High School Principal who has a passion for urban education; the International Baccalaureate MYP, DP, and CP Programs; language centered education; social justice; and most importantly, working with secondary students, families and staff. The DCI High School Principal shapes the environment for all members of the school community to thrive in service of the broader DCI Mission. The Principal oversees all functions of the school, directly manages and coaches a team of educational leaders, and is responsible for the academic and social-emotional outcomes of students and the team health of our educators. They are also a key Senior Leader for the broader organization and sit on the Senior Leadership Team. The High School Principal is supervised by the Executive Director. Salary Range: $145,000 - $175,000 (Starting salary is determined by education and years of relevant experience) Qualifications: A minimum of 7 years of professional experience, including 2-3 years of teaching experience and 3-4 years of leadership experience at a secondary school. Including demonstrated success serving a socio-economically diverse population of learners and leading a diverse staff. A Master's or Doctoral degree in Education or Educational Leadership is preferred. An experienced coach with the ability to develop their team of leaders and faculty while holding them accountable to measurable results. Experience at a school that provides the International Baccalaureate curriculum framework or other similarly holistic approaches to student learning and development. Knowledgeable of and experience in a language centered environment (candidates who are bilingual in one of DCI's three languages: Spanish, French or Chinese are strongly preferred). Understanding of the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, gender identity, and other issues of difference in our society and has demonstrated a commitment to equitable outcomes for all students. Demonstrated success in closing learning gaps related to the academic and social-emotional needs of diverse groups of adolescents especially as related to supporting students with special needs, those who have experienced emotional trauma, students living in poverty, and English language learners. Familiarity with the DC public charter school landscape. Strong written and oral communicator who is able to engage students, parents, and faculty in dialogue and speak in a clear and authentic manner about the school's goals and priorities. Key Quality & Skills: Model the DCI Agreements , which are based on the IB Learner Profile. Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions. Works in a collegial and collaborative manner with other administrators, school personnel, and the community to promote and support the mission and goals of the school. Takes ownership for any gaps in the school and is reflective on feedback from all members of the team. Oversee the broader functioning of the organization. Serves on the Senior Leadership Team to support in making decisions on behalf of the organization. Effectively participates on the team, shares interests and perspectives from their school's vantage point, and then helps make decisions in the best interests of the full organization. Develop and promote DCI's instructional vision . Provides instructional leadership by aligning, coordinating, and delivering IB programs and related curricular and extracurricular initiatives to drive continuous improvement and strong student outcomes, as evidenced by IB exams, DC CAPE, and other assessments. Plans, implements, supports, and assesses instructional programs as a member of the Senior Instructional Team along with the MS Principal and Chief Academic Officer. Creates academic and school culture goals and tracks academic data and progress with an equity lens. Works closely and collaboratively with the Chief Academic Officer on all instructional decisions to drive outcomes at the school level. Create a safe and effective learning climate / staff and student culture. Ensures a safe, strong and joyful learning environment for students and staff that follows the IB Learner Profile. Has experience with implementing and supporting restorative justice practices. Builds, engages, and supports student and staff celebrations and activities that support a strong internationally oriented school culture. Lives DCI's vision of IB for All - At DCI, "for All" means that all students deserve and benefit from the rigor and mindsets inherent in the IB program - we must give all students access, resources and support to be successful in the IB Program. Develop and manage daily systems and operations. Creates, improves, and implements systems to ensure the smooth and consistent operation of the DCI High School. Collaborates with other leaders to ensure system development is aligned and coordinated across all areas of DCI. Manages the DCI policies and procedures necessary for school operation and success in compliance with DCI policies and legal requirements. Strong capacity to support staff and manage communication during crises if and when they occur. Manage our college and career counseling and support programs including support for alumni. Proven success leading both large- and small-scale change initiatives. Coach and develop staff to drive results. Selects, onboards, supports, evaluates, and retains quality instructional and support staff in collaboration with the Chief Academic Advisor and Chief Talent Officer. Demonstrated ability to coach and drive results through other leaders. Experience in designing and delivering professional development for leaders and staff; consistent with program evaluation results and school instructional plans in collaboration with the CAO. Strong capacity to support staff and manage communication during crises. Engage and collaborate with stakeholders. Oversees collaborative development and implementation of school goals and plans in alignment with the DCI Strategic Plan. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves problems using effective problem-solving techniques. Promotes effective communication and interpersonal relations with students, staff, parents, and other community members. Works collaboratively with staff, families, and community members to secure resources and to support and celebrate the success of a diverse student population. Cultivate community involvement and broad stakeholder relationships. Partners with families in service of supporting their students to grow at DCI. Attends events, and community activities to foster broader community relationships in service of helping DCI become a strong multicultural community. Represents DCI at city-level educational convenings. Faculty and Staff Development/Benefits: DCI is committed to the principles of servant leadership and to providing faculty and staff with the resources and training they need to provide an excellent education experience for every student and family. We have a benefits package that includes health and disability insurance and paid leave. We offer teachers daily planning time, professional development, and reasonable class sizes. Teachers and staff have the appropriate technology and support to do their work . DC International School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

Keywords: District of Columbia International School, North Bethesda , High School Principal (SY 26-27), Education / Teaching , Washington, Maryland