Paul Cuffee School, a K-12 public charter school of choice, educates a diverse community of students from the City of Providence, Rhode Island. We respect each individual and the world we share. This quality of our community is central to our mission. In the spirit of Paul Cuffee’s life, we teach students to value and practice personal initiative, perseverance, and social responsibility. Our School accomplishes these goals through a rigorous academic program which, enriched with maritime experiences, fosters discovery and critical thinking. We prepare students for higher education, lifelong learning, and active citizenship. To learn more about our school, please visit us at www.paulcuffee.org

 

Anticipated Assignment: Leave Coverage from October 26, 2026 to March 5, 2027.

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent

Status: Exempt, Non-Union

Hours: Full-time

 

Position Summary

 

The Lower School Principal provides visionary, student-centered leadership that upholds Paul Cuffee School’s mission and core values. The Principal cultivates a conscious community of continuous learning, high expectations, and belonging for all students and staff. Working closely with the Assistant Superintendent, administrative team, and staff, the Principal ensures academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and community engagement so that every student graduates prepared for college and career.

Key Responsibilities

 

Instructional Leadership & Student Learning

• Set vision and priorities for the school. Establish an instructional vision aligned with the District’s mission and improvement goals.
• As the instructional leader for the school, provide supervision, training and coaching to all teaching and non-teaching staff. 
• Lead the school’s observation, feedback, and evaluation system for all teaching & non-teaching staff.  Supervise instructional coaches and deans. 
• Promote data-driven decision-making, goal setting, and celebration of progress.
• Ensure effective implementation of Responsive Classroom and restorative and preventative approaches to student behavior that reinforce dignity, accountability, and belonging. Integrate latest research and evidence based practices. 
• Advance a growth mindset and asset-based approach across the community.  Foster a community centered on empathy, resilience, and self-awareness.
• Facilitate professional learning communities and lead professional development.
• Support goal setting, progress monitoring, and public recognition of student and faculty achievements.
• Ensure all students have access to a full elementary school program as defined by the RI Board of Education. Oversee a process to monitor credit attainment, retention and progress toward graduation requirements. 
• Work collaboratively with MLL Coordinator and Director of Special Education to ensure all students have full access to educational program.
  
  

Leadership & Management

• Model integrity, empathy, and reflection, high expectations, responsiveness, and clear communication.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and supervise lower school faculty and staff. 
• Provide oversight of all enrichment and after school programming at the lower school. Supervise and support the Enrichment/ASC Supervisor to ensure all programming aligns with school goals, safety expectations, and district policies. Approve staffing and program offerings and maintain awareness of overall program operations.
• Partner with the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Finance and Administration on budget development and strategic planning.
• Represent the Lower School at Board, Parents’ Association, RIDE, and community meetings.
• Ensure safe, equitable, and orderly school operations—including scheduling, attendance, supervision, and crisis management, and mandatory reporting. Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations. 
• Oversee safe, equitable, and orderly school operations—including student and staff scheduling, duties, attendance, supervision, and crisis management, and mandatory reporting. Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations. 

 

Culture, Community & Engagement

• Foster an inclusive culture of high academic and social-emotional expectations.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, and community partners.
• Serve as a visible, welcoming presence at school events and traditions, reinforcing community pride and connection.
• Maintain a safe, orderly, and equitable learning environment and school facility; oversee emergency drills and responses, crisis response, discipline systems, and student supervision. Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Rhode Island Building Administrator Certificate PK–12 or ability to obtain one required.
• Master’s Degree in Education required
• Minimum of five years of teaching experience required
• Prior school administrator experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and data analysis tools.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.
• Proven leadership in Pre-K–12 curriculum development, instructional improvement, assessment, and professional development.

 

Working Conditions

• Ability to move between school buildings.
• Attendance at out-of-school events and Board meetings.
• Ability to work inside and in outdoor environments.
• The role involves both office-based work and active engagement with classrooms, students, families, and community partners.