Principal (Special Populations, Student Support, and Culture)

Manhattan Charter Schools (the Schools) are two high-performing charter schools located on the Lower East Side in New York City. The Schools are committed to providing its students with the tools and support necessary for success. Since its founding in 2005 as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, Manhattan Charter School (MCS) has consistently achieved high levels of success.

In 2012, MCS opened Manhattan Charter School 2 (MCS2), a replication of MCS located a few blocks away, expanding on the groundwork laid by MCS and bringing high levels of academic achievement to more students. Our vision is to offer a high-quality, public school education that will help close the opportunity, imagination, and achievement gaps for our high-need students by empowering, inspiring, and equipping them to fulfill their potential. Our mission is to teach our students how to learn and love doing it, how to cultivate their curious minds for the rest of their lives, and how to develop a solid foundation on which to base wise choices and build meaningful lives.

Principal – Special Populations, Student Support, and Culture The Principal for Special Populations, Student Support, and Culture leads all programs and initiatives that ensure equity, inclusion, and access for diverse learners. This role oversees school ops, compliance, programming, and staff development related to Special Education, Multilingual Learners (MLL/ELL), and Section 504 services, as well as student discipline, culture, and restorative practices. The Principal works collaboratively with the Academic Principal to create a unified, high-performing school that meets the needs of every student.

Key Responsibilities

: Special Populations Leadership Oversee compliance and programming for all students with disabilities, English language learners, and other specialized populations. Supervise the development and implementation of IEPs, 504 plans, and ENL programs in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Lead progress monitoring, parent engagement, and staff training related to specialized instruction and intervention.

Manage relationships with outside agencies and service providers. Student Support Culture Lead the implementation of the network-wide behavior systems, discipline policies, and restorative practices. Oversee implementation of the school’s social-emotional learning (SEL) and positive behavior supports (PBIS).

Ensure that the school culture is inclusive, safe, and conducive to learning for all students. Serve as the primary contact for family engagement and community partnerships around student well-being. Monitor behavioral data to identify trends and support proactive interventions.

Train staff on classroom management, trauma-informed practice, and de-escalation strategies. Lead crisis response and behavioral support teams. Operations Compliance Serve as the primary lead for overall school operations, including scheduling, facilities, and compliance.

Oversee the school’s calendar, assessment systems, and instructional technology.

Requirements

Collaborate with the Academic Principal to ensure school-wide operational consistency and compliance. Manage staffing, scheduling, and professional learning for special populations and student support teams. Collaboration and Support Services Partner with the Academic Principal to align academic and behavioral interventions.

Coordinate with counselors, social workers, and other student support staff to provide wraparound services. Engage families in problem-solving, goal-setting, and progress updates for students requiring behavioral or special education support.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, or Educational Leadership (Doctorate preferred). Certification in School Building Leadership or equivalent. Minimum of 5 years of experience in special education and/or student services administration.