Early Childhood & Elementary Principal

Department: School Leadership

Location: Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences

Compensation: $105,000 - $120,000 / year

Description

Position Title: Elementary and Early Childhood Principal
Location: In-person, Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences
Funding Source: General Fund
Reports to: Chief Academic Officer

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
• Must hold a valid Elementary & Secondary Administration K-12 (ES) with Michigan Department of Education, or be eligible to obtain one.
• Minimum of five years of leadership and management experience in an Early Childhood in a K-12 setting/center
• Minimum of three years of experience teaching in early childhood classrooms, working with children from birth through age five.
  
  

Position Description: Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences is seeking a dynamic Early Childhood & Elementary Principal to provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for our early childhood education (birth to kindergarten) program within the district. This leader will oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring academic excellence, strong family engagement, staff development, and compliance with state licensing and accreditation standards. The principal will foster a nurturing and inclusive learning environment, implement high-quality curriculum, and collaborate with faculty, families, and community partners to drive program success. This role includes ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality programming in Early Head Start, Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program, and Kindergarten classrooms, aligning with best practices in early childhood education and preK-8th grade school systems. Through strong leadership and mentorship, the principal will support both young learners and educator development, reinforcing the school’s commitment to early childhood excellence.

Physical Requirements: Light Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects; Frequent standing, stooping, bending, pushing and pulling.

Terms of Employment: The salary for this position is $105,000. Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District's approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be those established by the District.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Chief Academic Officer in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.



Key Responsibilities


Instructional Leadership and Program Excellence

• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (ages 0-5), ensuring alignment with Michigan’s Early Childhood Standards of Quality, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start, Early Head Start (EHS), and all state and federal regulations.
• Foster an inclusive, safe, and engaging learning environment, guiding educators, supporting families, and collaborating with community partners to ensure strong Kindergarten readiness outcomes.
• Demonstrate strong expertise in Kindergarten readiness and early learning outcomes, ensuring that curriculum, instruction, and assessments effectively prepare children for a successful transition into and through Kindergarten.
• Support and evaluate teachers in implementing research-based best practices in early childhood education.
• Analyze child assessment data (COR Advantage, CLASS, i-Ready, etc.) to inform instructional practices and ensure program effectiveness.
• Participate in district-wide data review teams, identifying trends and implementing strategies for school readiness improvement.
• Stay current on emerging research, trends, and policy changes in early childhood education to inform program improvements.
• Support the implementation of the district’s vision, goals and strategies.
  
  

Staff Leadership and Professional Development

• Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding and retaining high-quality early childhood educators.
• Create and implement a professional development plan that fosters continuous learning and meets all licensing requirements.
• Provide hands-on support and guidance to educators, ensuring alignment with program goals and best practices.
• Organize and facilitate staff meetings, training sessions, and coaching opportunities.
• Maintain a supportive and inclusive work environment, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.
  
  

Family and Community Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families, ensuring effective communication and engagement in their child’s education.
• Develop and implement strategies to strengthen family participation in school activities and decision-making in compliance with Early Head Start, Head Start and GSRP.
• Identify and address family needs through community partnerships and school-based support services.
• Ensure transparent, consistent communication with families and staff, including regular updates and meetings.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local early childhood organizations, educational institutions, and service providers to enhance program support and resources.
  
  

Operational and Compliance Management

• Oversee the daily operations of the early childhood program, ensuring compliance with all licensing and accreditation requirements, including Child Care Licensing Bureau and Great Start to Quality indicators.
• Ensure all early childhood programs (0-5) comply with local, state, and federal guidelines, including: Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start/Early Head Start (EHS), Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Office of Head Start (OHS) and MiLEAP Standards.
• Manage program budgets and resources, seeking grant funding and community partnerships to enhance program sustainability.
• Develop and maintain staff schedules, ensuring appropriate classroom coverage and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, including emergency preparedness plans.
• Lead program evaluation efforts by collecting and analyzing data, implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  
  

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience balancing early childhood best practices within a public-school framework
• Commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Familiarity with project management tools or systems is preferred.
• Strong technology proficiency, including Google Suite, video conferencing tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.), and student information systems.