Assistant Principal of School Culture; APSC

Position Type:
Administration/ Assistant Principal

Date Posted: 2/17/2026

Location:

Horizon Science Academy Des Moines School

The Assistant Principal of School Culture supports the Principal in advancing a safe, structured, and academically focused learning environment. The APSC leads school wide systems related to student behavior, attendance, MTSS, equity, and culture, ensuring alignment with Iowa Code, Iowa Department of Education requirements, and HSADSM's STEM-focused college preparatory mission. This position emphasizes proactive culture-building, restorative practices, PBIS implementation, and student support coordination.

• Master's degree in Education or related field
• Valid Iowa Administrator License with Evaluator Approval
• Endorsement as a PK-12 Principal (189) or PK-12 Professional Service Administrator (190) under Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE)
• Completion of Iowa evaluator training (or ability to obtain)

• Experience in charter school settings
• Experience with MTSS frameworks in Iowa
• Experience with special education (IDEA compliance)
• Experience supporting emerging bilingual (EBL) students

• Minimum of 3 years successful teaching experience in a public or charter school
• Demonstrated leadership in school culture, student discipline, or MTSS
• Experience in urban or diverse school environments preferred

1. School Culture & Climate Leadership

• Lead and oversee school wide PBIS and restorative practices systems
• Develop and implement proactive culture-building initiatives
• Ensure consistent and equitable enforcement of the Student Code of Conduct
• Coordinate behavior data tracking and response systems
• Lead de-escalation training and trauma-informed practice development
• Promote culturally responsive practices and inclusive school climate
• Monitor and address disproportionality in discipline outcomes

2. MTSS & Student Support Systems

• Lead implementation of Iowa-aligned Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Coordinate Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions
• Facilitate intervention block systems (non‑Tier 1 pull‑out unless appropriate)
• Partner with special education and EBL staff to ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Iowa Administrative Code 281-41
• Monitor progress data and support continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with chronic absenteeism monitoring under Iowa Code and SF2435

3. Attendance & Truancy Oversight

• Monitor student attendance trends
• Implement chronic absenteeism prevention strategies
• Support development of individual attendance intervention plans
• Ensure compliance with Iowa Code
  -299 (Compulsory Attendance & Truancy)
• Partner with families and community agencies to remove attendance barriers

4. Instructional & Staff Leadership

• Support Principal in teacher coaching and evaluation under the Iowa Teacher Leadership & Evaluation Framework
• Conduct formal and informal observations
• Provide actionable feedback aligned to district and charter performance goals
• Lead professional development on classroom management, behavior systems, equity and inclusion, and student engagement
• Serve as an active member of the School Leadership Team

5. School Improvement & Data Systems

• Assist in development and implementation of the School Improvement Plan
• Manage behavior and attendance data dashboards
• Support tracking of Iowa School Performance Profile (ISPP) indicators
• Use data to identify culture-related barriers to academic success

6. Operational & Compliance Responsibilities

• Coordinate safety drills in accordance with Iowa school safety requirements
• Support student scheduling and supervision systems
• Assist with student services budgeting as assigned
• Ensure adherence to Iowa Code 256E (Charter Schools), Federal civil rights requirements, FERPA, and student privacy laws
• Support crisis response and emergency procedures

7. Family & Community Engagement

• Conduct student/parent conferences
• Communicate proactively regarding culture and attendance initiatives
• Partner with community organizations to strengthen student supports
• Represent HSADSM in community and stakeholder meetings when appropriate

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