School Transformation Specialist
Job description
Who We Are KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life. Mission Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world. What We Do At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Role Overview:
To lead urgent, sustainable transformation at a designated KIPP SoCal school by rebuilding trust, strengthening systems, developing talent, and ensuring high-quality instruction during a fixed 18-24 month assignment. The School Transformation Specialist holds full accountability for assigned school outcomes and is charged with creating the academic, cultural, and operational conditions necessary for long-term excellence, while preparing the school for a permanent successful transition out of transformational status.
This role is 5 days on-site at one school location. The role is full-time, limited-term status with an end date of June 30, 2027 with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12 months.
Current priority application deadline is Sept. 11, 2026. At least 1 year as a principal or principal in residence highly preferred
Target start date: Mid-to-late September 2026
Location: South LA/Watts area
Likely interview process:
Application screen >> video interview >> Zoom screen w/ hiring manager >> on-site school experience >> final interview experience
Desired Outcomes
Drive comprehensive school improvement
by achieving a School Health Score of 3 or higher in all domains by the end of Year 2, with demonstrated growth of at least one level in a minimum of three categories during Year 1 in collaboration with the School Leader.
Develop and implement a data-driven transformation plan aligned to KIPP SoCal's strategic priorities
Establish regular progress monitoring systems to track improvement across all domains
Communicate progress transparently with all stakeholders
Accelerate student achievement by significantly improving academic outcomes in assigned content areas and/or grade levels across all student groups, with measurable growth in Year 1 and substantial gains by the end of Year 2.
Increase proficiency rates in ELA and Math SBAC assessments by at least 10% annually from baseline
Meet or exceed school-specific regional goals for literacy, math, and specialized populations
Ensure 100% of teachers engage in weekly coaching cycles focused on instructional improvement
Achieve at least 50% of classrooms meeting/exceeding expectations on the KIPP SoCal Teacher Practice Rubric by Year 1, increasing to 80% by Year 2
Establish a safe, joyful school culture that fosters high levels of student belonging, attendance, and engagement.
Implement and maintain Tier 1 PBIS systems in Year 1, expanding to Tier 2 systems in Year 2; systems for effective school operations; and systems for effective management of assigned content areas
Increase student belonging and safety metrics to ≥85% favorable scores
Improve average daily attendance by at least 1% in Year 1, reaching ≥96% by Year 2
Align suspension and referral data with school culture vision and KIPP SoCal policies and practices
Build sustainable leadership capacity by identifying, developing, and preparing teacher leaders to ensure long-term school success
Identify and coach 1-2 teacher leaders annually
Identify successor School Leader by end of Year 1 and develop throughout Year 2
Ensure ≥80% staff retention of assigned departments and/or grade levels through effective talent management
Strengthen family and community partnerships to rebuild trust and increase engagement of assigned grade levels or specific assigned groups.
Achieve ≥85% family survey participation each quarter
Attain a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of ≥30 each year
Establish regular, transparent communication systems with families and community leaders
Support operational excellence and compliance by addressing gaps and implementing sustainable systems.
Support the enrollment and budget targets
Support the elimination of compliance gaps by end of Year 1
Contribute to all compliance and quality standards for MTSS, SPED, and multilingual programs
Role-Specific Skills and Competencies
Lead Self (Self Awareness, Critical Consciousness, Continuous Learning). Impacts students and the adults they lead with a deep understanding of self and a willingness to continually strive to improve.
Lead People (Trusting Relationships, Team Culture, Developing & Managing People, Change Management). Engages in shared ownership and collaborative leadership; develops and empowers others; regularly works to create stronger results than any one leader could deliver on their own.
Lead Results (Strategic Planning & Prioritization, Problem Solving & Decision Making, Driving Outcomes): Effectively plans & prioritizes, solves problems, and engages in effective decision-making; consistently works to ensure excellent and equitable outcomes for students in order to create equitable opportunities for students.
Qualifications
Required Experience:
Minimum of 5 years in school leadership roles
Demonstrated success in driving significant academic improvement, with evidence of year-over-year growth and/or outperforming comparable schools
Proven ability to develop effective teacher leaders
Experience building positive school cultures with strong student support systems
Track record of effective team management in educational settings
Required Education & Credential:
Active professional teaching license
Highly Preferred:
Previous experience in school turnaround or transformation contexts
Valid administrative credential (or eligibility to obtain one)
At least 1 year as a principal or principal in residence
Experience working with multilingual learners and students with disabilities
Personal Attributes:
Unwavering belief in the potential of all students
Resilience and persistence in the face of challenges
Ability to build trust quickly with diverse stakeholders
Comfort with ambiguity and willingness to make difficult decisions
In addition to the above competencies and skills, all team members are expected to uphold, demonstrate, and practice KIPP SoCal values, standards of conduct, and anti-racism standards.
Compensation
KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process. By submitting this application, I certify that all information I have provided — in this application and in any related materials, including my resume, cover letter, and interview responses — is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I understand that KIPP SoCal Public Schools relies on this information in making hiring decisions. I acknowledge that any misrepresentation, falsification, or material omission may result in rescission of an offer of employment or, if I have already been hired, termination of employment, regardless of when the inaccuracy is discovered.