High School Principal - Unidos Academy Grades 9-12
- Lawrence Public Schools
- Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Full Time
High School Principal - Unidos Academy Grades 9-12
Lawrence Public Schools
Administrative Office - Lawrence, Massachusetts
Job Details
Job ID:5714160
Application Deadline:Jun 01, 2026 11:59 PM (UTC)
Posted:Yesterday
Starting Date:Jul 1, 2026
Job Description
Principal Unidos Academy
Reports to: Lawrence High School Head of Schools
Supervises: School Staff
Work Year: Twelve-month administrative position (Full-Time, Exempt)
Welcome to Lawrence Public Schools
Lawrence Public Schools is committed to ensuring that ALL students successfully master the content and skills necessary to graduate from high school, college, and/or career-ready. We achieve this by providing a standards-based, rigorous instructional program focused on academic achievement and the development of 21st-century skills, accompanied by a comprehensive system of support. These efforts are monitored and assessed regularly to ensure accountability to all stakeholders. Lawrence Public Schools is an urban school district serving more than 13,000 PreK-12 students across 26 schools and employing over 2,800 people. Approximately 94% of students identify as Hispanic/Latino, many of whom are multilingual learners and first-generation college-bound students.
The district's vision is to ensure that all students have access to a rich, high-quality education that closes opportunity gaps and prepares them for success in college, careers, and community leadership. Lawrence Public Schools continues to advance its Open Architecture model, empowering school leaders, educators, students, and families to design innovative school programs that meet the unique needs of their communities.
The district's work is grounded in four core pillars:
Rigorous Standards - Delivering high-quality, standards-based instruction and assessment
High-Quality Enrichment Opportunities - Expanding access to arts, athletics, leadership, and career-connected learning
Mindset - Cultivating resilience, belonging, and a growth mindset in every student
Critical Thinking - Embedding higher-order thinking and student discourse into all classrooms
Unidos Academy
Unidos Academy is a Grades 9-12 high school program designed to support multilingual learners, including recent immigrants and newcomer students, in developing English proficiency. Using a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) model, the school provides ESL instruction, literacy support, adapted academic coursework, and college- and career-readiness programming. Unidos Academy integrates language development with rigorous academic instruction while fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive environment grounded in restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and strong family partnerships to support students' academic and personal success.
Role
The Principal of Unidos Academy will serve as the instructional and operational leader of a dynamic Grades 9-12 multilingual learning community. The Principal will lead a dedicated team of educators and support staff to ensure high levels of student achievement, positive school culture, equitable access to opportunity, and strong post-secondary outcomes for all students.
The Principal will work collaboratively with High School principals, teachers, students, families, and district leadership to implement a shared vision for excellence grounded in equity, inclusion, language acquisition, and culturally responsive practices. The Principal will oversee schoolwide systems that support multilingual learner success, literacy development, academic growth, restorative approaches to discipline, and continuous school improvement.
Essential Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership
Promote the academic growth and language development of all students through rigorous, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction and high expectations.
Lead the implementation of standards-based curriculum, assessment, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) practices, and instructional strategies aligned to district priorities and multilingual learner needs.
Support the integration of literacy and language development across all content areas.
Use data to drive continuous improvement and monitor progress toward academic achievement, English language proficiency, attendance, graduation, and post-secondary goals.
Foster a culture of reflective practice, collaboration, and continuous learning among faculty and staff.
Supervise and evaluate instructional staff, providing meaningful coaching, feedback, and professional development.
Ensure equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and historically marginalized students.
School Culture & Student Support
Build and sustain a joyful, inclusive, and achievement-oriented school culture rooted in respect, belonging, and student voice.
Lead restorative and trauma-informed approaches that support student engagement, accountability, and wellness.
Develop systems of academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and language acquisition support to ensure students are known, supported, and successful.
Oversee student discipline, attendance initiatives, scheduling, intervention systems, and student support services.
Promote student leadership, enrichment opportunities, and college- and career-readiness experiences for multilingual learners and newcomer students.
Family & Community Engagement
Cultivate strong partnerships with families, community organizations, higher education institutions, and local stakeholders.
Ensure consistent, meaningful communication with families about student progress, school initiatives, and opportunities for engagement.
Build a school culture that honors and celebrates the linguistic and cultural assets of Lawrence students and families.
Support newcomer families in navigating school systems and accessing community resources.
Operations & Management
Lead the school's daily operations, ensuring a safe, efficient, and student-centered learning environment.
Manage school resources strategically, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and compliance responsibilities.
Recruit, hire, develop, support, and retain high-quality staff aligned to the mission and vision of Unidos Academy.
Collaborate with district leaders and school-based teams to implement school improvement priorities and monitor outcomes.
Qualifications
Current authorization to work in the United States is required on the first day of employment
Massachusetts DESE Principal/Assistant Principal licensure (9-12), or eligibility for licensure
Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, TESOL, or related field required
Prior experience as a school principal, assistant principal, instructional leader, or school administrator preferred
Demonstrated success improving academic and language outcomes for multilingual learners and newcomer students
Strong understanding of Sheltered English Immersion (SEI), second-language acquisition, culturally responsive instruction, and restorative practices
Bilingual/Bicultural preferred.
Proven ability to lead school improvement efforts through collaboration, data analysis, and strategic planning
Experience building strong relationships with families, community partners, and diverse stakeholder groups
Experience managing school operations, staffing, and budgets effectively
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency strongly preferred
Preferred Leadership Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
A deep commitment to educational equity and culturally sustaining leadership
Strong instructional leadership and coaching capacity
Expertise in supporting multilingual learners and fostering inclusive learning environments
The ability to inspire and motivate students, staff, and families around a shared mission
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience
A collaborative leadership style grounded in accountability and continuous improvement
Commitment to creating a school environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed
Salary Range: $127,813.00 - $173, 677.00
Commensurate with experience
Non-Discrimination Statement
Lawrence Public Schools is dedicated to maintaining a workplace and learning environment free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, immigration and immigration status or any other basis prohibited by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination or participate in investigations.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of the required background check.
Position Type:Full-time
Salary:$127,813 to $173,677 Per Year
Lawrence Public Schools
Administrative Office - Lawrence, Massachusetts
Job Details
Job ID:5714160
Application Deadline:Jun 01, 2026 11:59 PM (UTC)
Posted:Yesterday
Starting Date:Jul 1, 2026
Job Description
Principal Unidos Academy
Reports to: Lawrence High School Head of Schools
Supervises: School Staff
Work Year: Twelve-month administrative position (Full-Time, Exempt)
Welcome to Lawrence Public Schools
Lawrence Public Schools is committed to ensuring that ALL students successfully master the content and skills necessary to graduate from high school, college, and/or career-ready. We achieve this by providing a standards-based, rigorous instructional program focused on academic achievement and the development of 21st-century skills, accompanied by a comprehensive system of support. These efforts are monitored and assessed regularly to ensure accountability to all stakeholders. Lawrence Public Schools is an urban school district serving more than 13,000 PreK-12 students across 26 schools and employing over 2,800 people. Approximately 94% of students identify as Hispanic/Latino, many of whom are multilingual learners and first-generation college-bound students.
The district's vision is to ensure that all students have access to a rich, high-quality education that closes opportunity gaps and prepares them for success in college, careers, and community leadership. Lawrence Public Schools continues to advance its Open Architecture model, empowering school leaders, educators, students, and families to design innovative school programs that meet the unique needs of their communities.
The district's work is grounded in four core pillars:
Rigorous Standards - Delivering high-quality, standards-based instruction and assessment
High-Quality Enrichment Opportunities - Expanding access to arts, athletics, leadership, and career-connected learning
Mindset - Cultivating resilience, belonging, and a growth mindset in every student
Critical Thinking - Embedding higher-order thinking and student discourse into all classrooms
Unidos Academy
Unidos Academy is a Grades 9-12 high school program designed to support multilingual learners, including recent immigrants and newcomer students, in developing English proficiency. Using a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) model, the school provides ESL instruction, literacy support, adapted academic coursework, and college- and career-readiness programming. Unidos Academy integrates language development with rigorous academic instruction while fostering an inclusive, culturally responsive environment grounded in restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and strong family partnerships to support students' academic and personal success.
Role
The Principal of Unidos Academy will serve as the instructional and operational leader of a dynamic Grades 9-12 multilingual learning community. The Principal will lead a dedicated team of educators and support staff to ensure high levels of student achievement, positive school culture, equitable access to opportunity, and strong post-secondary outcomes for all students.
The Principal will work collaboratively with High School principals, teachers, students, families, and district leadership to implement a shared vision for excellence grounded in equity, inclusion, language acquisition, and culturally responsive practices. The Principal will oversee schoolwide systems that support multilingual learner success, literacy development, academic growth, restorative approaches to discipline, and continuous school improvement.
Essential Responsibilities
Instructional Leadership
Promote the academic growth and language development of all students through rigorous, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction and high expectations.
Lead the implementation of standards-based curriculum, assessment, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) practices, and instructional strategies aligned to district priorities and multilingual learner needs.
Support the integration of literacy and language development across all content areas.
Use data to drive continuous improvement and monitor progress toward academic achievement, English language proficiency, attendance, graduation, and post-secondary goals.
Foster a culture of reflective practice, collaboration, and continuous learning among faculty and staff.
Supervise and evaluate instructional staff, providing meaningful coaching, feedback, and professional development.
Ensure equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and historically marginalized students.
School Culture & Student Support
Build and sustain a joyful, inclusive, and achievement-oriented school culture rooted in respect, belonging, and student voice.
Lead restorative and trauma-informed approaches that support student engagement, accountability, and wellness.
Develop systems of academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and language acquisition support to ensure students are known, supported, and successful.
Oversee student discipline, attendance initiatives, scheduling, intervention systems, and student support services.
Promote student leadership, enrichment opportunities, and college- and career-readiness experiences for multilingual learners and newcomer students.
Family & Community Engagement
Cultivate strong partnerships with families, community organizations, higher education institutions, and local stakeholders.
Ensure consistent, meaningful communication with families about student progress, school initiatives, and opportunities for engagement.
Build a school culture that honors and celebrates the linguistic and cultural assets of Lawrence students and families.
Support newcomer families in navigating school systems and accessing community resources.
Operations & Management
Lead the school's daily operations, ensuring a safe, efficient, and student-centered learning environment.
Manage school resources strategically, including staffing, scheduling, budgeting, and compliance responsibilities.
Recruit, hire, develop, support, and retain high-quality staff aligned to the mission and vision of Unidos Academy.
Collaborate with district leaders and school-based teams to implement school improvement priorities and monitor outcomes.
Qualifications
Current authorization to work in the United States is required on the first day of employment
Massachusetts DESE Principal/Assistant Principal licensure (9-12), or eligibility for licensure
Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, TESOL, or related field required
Prior experience as a school principal, assistant principal, instructional leader, or school administrator preferred
Demonstrated success improving academic and language outcomes for multilingual learners and newcomer students
Strong understanding of Sheltered English Immersion (SEI), second-language acquisition, culturally responsive instruction, and restorative practices
Bilingual/Bicultural preferred.
Proven ability to lead school improvement efforts through collaboration, data analysis, and strategic planning
Experience building strong relationships with families, community partners, and diverse stakeholder groups
Experience managing school operations, staffing, and budgets effectively
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Bilingual English/Spanish proficiency strongly preferred
Preferred Leadership Competencies
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
A deep commitment to educational equity and culturally sustaining leadership
Strong instructional leadership and coaching capacity
Expertise in supporting multilingual learners and fostering inclusive learning environments
The ability to inspire and motivate students, staff, and families around a shared mission
Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience
A collaborative leadership style grounded in accountability and continuous improvement
Commitment to creating a school environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed
Salary Range: $127,813.00 - $173, 677.00
Commensurate with experience
Non-Discrimination Statement
Lawrence Public Schools is dedicated to maintaining a workplace and learning environment free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, immigration and immigration status or any other basis prohibited by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination or participate in investigations.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of the required background check.
Position Type:Full-time
Salary:$127,813 to $173,677 Per Year
Job ID: 521197156
Originally Posted on: 5/14/2026
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