Orange County Founding Assistant Principal Fellow

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. Our non‑profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high‑quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country, and we are unleashing potential.

Position Description

Rocketship is seeking to open a new region in Orange County, CA for the 2027‑2028 school year. We are hiring Founding Fellows to join us in the summer of 2025 in one of our existing regions to help prepare for the launch of a new Southern California region in August 2027. Over the next two years they will immerse themselves in our Rocketship team and culture while mastering facets of our school model. Founding Fellows will serve in an Assistant Principal (AP) capacity in an existing Rocketship school during the 2025‑2026 school year before serving as a founding member of our inaugural school in Orange County, CA for 2027‑2028.

Our educators and operations specialists, teachers, school leaders, and network support team (NeST) work together to eliminate the achievement gap. During the 2025‑26 school year, Founding Fellows will work in an existing Rocketship California school as APs, immediately entering our Rising Leaders program and the opportunity to apply for the Diversity in Leadership Institute.

Every AP at Rocketship works closely with their Principal to lead and implement the instructional vision for one to three grade levels. APs manage and coach teachers in their grade levels by leading data analysis cycles, observing classrooms, providing continuous feedback, and co‑planning units of study and lesson plans to increase educator effectiveness and leadership. APs also serve as cultural and community leaders by building teacher capacity in culture, behavior, and parent engagement.

Rocketship campuses are supported by a school leadership team that includes the Principal, an Assistant Principal, a Business Operations Manager, and an Office Manager. The team is responsible for professional development, culture and behavior in common spaces, and special events. Together they lead a team of teachers, tutors, enrichment coordinators, and support staff.

As a school leader at Rocketship, you will receive ongoing professional development in rigorous observations, meaningful feedback, and planning and analysis. Founding Fellows will also serve as thought leaders in planning the opening of Orange County and may join the team on the ground the year the school opens.

Our Ideal Candidate

We want someone who believes that adult preparation is essential to student success, who wants to become an elementary content expert, and who is eager to use that knowledge to develop teachers who demonstrate excellence in lesson planning and execution. They understand that eliminating the achievement gap is hard work but deeply rewarding and within their control, and they have a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students in Orange County, CA.

The salary range for this position starts at $102,000. Once you join you will receive a generous signing bonus of $7,500.

Essential Functions

• Developing Effective Educators:

  Coach grade‑level teams (5‑9 educators) to build content expertise in Humanities or STEM. Engage in data‑driven instruction and assessments to inform planning and personalize instruction. Ensure at least 1.5 years of progress for all students annually. Collaborate with the Special Education team to support optimal instruction in our full inclusion model.

• Teaching:

  Assists APs may be asked to teach occasionally and may be expected to teach for three or more weeks at onboarding to learn the curriculum and model.

• Student and Parent Partnership:

  Build trusting relationships with students and families through frequent communication, home visits, community meetings, and parent/family meetings.

• Rocketship Professional Culture:

  Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self‑reflection, respond to feedback, and create a healthy, high‑achieving, urgent environment where staff and students feel challenged and valued. Promote and participate in collaborative opportunities across schools to share best practices, solve problems, and gather feedback. Contribute to the founding team for Rocketship Southern California region through planning meetings, visits, and outreach.

Required Qualifications

3+ years of experience teaching in an urban city classroom with significant gains. Deep knowledge of elementary instruction and planning skills. Strong leadership skills, personal drive, relentless pursuit of high expectations, result‑oriented, data‑driven, and ability to inspire and develop others. Adaptable, thrives in a dynamic environment, engages and empowers parents and families, builds outstanding school culture, excellent time management and organizational skills, strategic planning and project management experience, strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience as a teacher or school leader in Southern California strongly preferred.

Education Requirements

BA from an accredited university. Teaching credential required.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with adults and children, use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, lemos, stand, walk, sit, reach, occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally climb ladders. Reasonable accommodations may be made. Specific vision abilities include close and distance vision. Noise level is moderate to high.

Compensation

Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and welfare benefits, 403(b) retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.