The Role
Lead turnaround and school improvement for a caseload of district-managed, high-priority schools. Develop and implement comprehensive improvement plans, coach school leaders, coordinate resources, monitor data-driven progress, ensure policy compliance, and remove barriers to advance equity and student outcomes.
Summary Generated by Built In
** Applications will be received until April 21, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **
About this job:
Leads school improvement strategies for a caseload of district-managed schools to achieve the goal of Great Schools in Every Neighborhood. Drives strategic school design and continuous school improvement at identified highest priority schools and the Tiered School Supports methodology for providing accelerated improvement, redesign and turnaround supports at low-performing schools so that all schools are continually improving, eliminating opportunity gaps and readying all students for college and career.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Salary Range: $108,333 - $132,686 annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Works with Director to implement school improvement processes for a group of district schools, developing and implementing a comprehensive turnaround plan aimed at improving student outcomes in designated schools; leverages best practices for turnaround and school improvement in a system of intensive support for the highest needs schools.
- Collaborates with central office and school-based leadership to develop, implement and provide needed resources and services for students in alignment with the District’s school improvement plan.
- Works closely with district leaders, school staff, and the community to achieve measurable outcomes at assigned schools; responds to concerns and issues in a timely manner and escalates issues when necessary.
- Serves as a subject matter expert on a variety of topics (e.g., school improvement, instructional and cultural systems, talent hiring and development, leadership coaching) to advise school staff on the proper course of action.
- Provides targeted support to highest needs schools, including high-quality coaching as it relates to school turnaround strategies, best practices and action plans.
- Leads data-driven progress monitoring of school improvement and regularly communicates progress, challenges, and successes; identifies additional areas of need.
- Ensures proper execution of systems and structures to reinforce equity of opportunity and outcomes for all students and staff; removes barriers to support.
- Maintains strong knowledge of and ensures compliance with district, state and federal policies and regulations.
What You’ll Need:
- Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree, Master's preferred.
- Minimum of five (5) years of school leadership responsibility, including three (3) or more years as a Title 1 Principal.
- A current, valid State of Colorado Principal License or must get it within 1 year of obtaining the role.
- Valid Colorado Driver’s License, appropriate insurance coverage and acceptable driving record for the past three years.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
About UsDenver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students. DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Minimum five years of school leadership responsibility, including three or more years as a Title 1 Principal
- Current, valid State of Colorado Principal License or obtain within one year
- Valid Colorado Driver's License, appropriate insurance, and acceptable driving record for past three years
- Commitment to racial and educational equity and dismantling systems of oppression
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while employed
- Ability, with or without accommodations, to meet the physical demands of the position
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The Company
What We Do
The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society. In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs. Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future. View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
