School Director in Training (2026-2027 School Year) - Denver - DSST Public Schools

Description

Overview

DSST Public Schools is seeking a School Director in Training (SDiT). This is a full-time, in-person role based in Denver, CO, with multiple locations and a salary of $90,000-$108,500 based on years of aligned experience, up to 10 years. A relocation stipend is available for moves from more than 75 miles from Denver.

Start: Summer 2026. A current School Year Calendar is available for viewing.

Role Context

The School Director in Training (SDIT) Program is DSST's multi-year advanced leadership development pathway for rising School Directors. The program focuses on developing leaders who can drive rigorous, vibrant, and equitable schools for DSST students. Core beliefs include:

• Classroom teachers and school leaders are the critical levers for student success.
• Leaders own their development and opportunities to grow.
• Equity is central to educational excellence and leadership.

In Year 1, SDITs participate in professional development, coaching, observation/debrief cycles, and on-the-job opportunities while working with a Mentor School Director. They serve as systems, culture, curriculum, and instructional leaders, coaching and managing teams toward strong results.

In Year 2, SDITs continue Year 1 development and may rotate leadership placements, observe excellent schools, access external professional development, and potentially serve as Interim School Director. Depending on network needs and experience, the program may accelerate, allowing an SDIT to assume the School Director role after one year.

You should consider this role if you want to lead a DSST middle or high school and are committed to DSST's mission, equity, and continuous growth.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Leadership: Demonstrate urgency about achievement for all students; pursue solutions to maximize student achievement; model professional maturity; mentor and coach staff; identify and develop future leaders; act as strategic partner to the School Director; supervise a substantial portion of the team.
• Culture: Cultivate a values-centered culture; ensure robust Morning Meetings; collaborate to support students' academic and socio-emotional development; lead with a positive, structured culture.
• Instruction, Coaching & Evaluation: Provide instructional leadership; track coaching meetings and observations; give actionable feedback; manage a data-driven instructional process aligned to assessments and college readiness; develop DSST curriculum documents; maintain student records; oversee standardized testing; arrange staff development; co-manage department chairs.
• Systems: Implement scalable systems; develop solutions involving all stakeholders; manage with fiscal responsibility and priority planning.
• Evaluation: The SDIT will be evaluated on data-driven indicators such as attendance, student learning gains, benchmark assessments, retention, and satisfaction.

Additional Duties include recruiting faculty and students, community engagement, family communications, developing network-wide standards with the Home Office, network-wide professional development, possible teaching duties, and acting as a student advisor where applicable.

Qualifications

Ideal Qualifications

• Commitment to serving students of color, students with disabilities, students experiencing poverty, and multilingual students.

Minimum Qualifications

• Belief that all students can succeed in high school and reach postsecondary goals.
• Desire to grow as an anti-racist educator; self-awareness and ongoing improvement mindset.
• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.
• Proven success coaching, leading, and managing adults; commitment to equity; love for students, families, and a thriving school environment.
• 5+ years of school experience and 3+ years in school-based leadership (assistant principal or similar).
• Experience in 6th-12th grade leadership preferred; principal or senior leader experience preferred.

Who We Are

DSST Public Schools is proud to achieve transformational results for 7,500+ students — 97% attend Green (top-rated) schools. We value a culture that is values-centered and human-focused. We invite educators and leaders who share our belief in more brilliance, courage, and possibility to join us.

Our Impact

• 100% of DSST graduates admitted to college or a postsecondary program
• 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
• 9/10 DSST families would recommend DSST
• 95%+ staff say managers check in regularly and care about them as people

Why Work at DSST?

DSST's Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive. We offer:

• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: competitive pay, fertility/adoption support, educator-focused mental health care, and perks like grocery discounts.
• Growth & Opportunity: weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways (e.g., Apprentice Teacher, Emerging Leader).
• Rewards & Recognition: value-based awards and community celebrations.
• Whole Human Wellness: access to mental health resources, health coverage, and paid parental leave.
• Colorado Living: ample time off, relocation support for out-of-state applicants, and local discounts.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: DSST Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in admission or employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, retaliation, or other protected characteristics.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions. The role may require talking, hearing, standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, and lifting/moving items up to 30 pounds. Ability to use a computer and perform related tasks is required; vision abilities include close, distance, peripheral, depth perception, and focus adjustments.