Orange County Founding Assistant Principal Fellow at Rocketship Public Schools – California, Pennsylvania

Orange County Founding Assistant Principal Fellow

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. And it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.
Position DescriptionRocketship is seeking to open a new region in Orange County, CA for the 2027-2028 school year. We are hiring outstanding Founding Fellows to join us in the Summer of 2025 in one of our existing regions that would help us prepare to launch a new Southern California region ideally in August 2027 and over the next two years immerse themselves in our Rocketship team and culture while mastering facets of our school model. Founding Fellows will serve in an Assistant Principal (AP) capacity in an existing Rocketship school in 2025-2026 before serving as a founding member of our inaugural school in Orange County, CA in 2027-2028.
Our educators and operations specialists, teachers, school leaders, and network support team (NeST) are united in our mission to eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime. School leaders and teachers are the backbone of Rocketship's impact model. During the 2025-26 school year, Founding Fellows will work in an existing Rocketship California school. Founding Fellows will join our team as Assistant Principals (APs) immediately entering our Rising Leaders program and the opportunity to apply for the Diversity in Leadership Institute. APs are charged with driving academic achievement for our Rocketeers while building deep family relationships to fuel a rigorous college preparatory school culture.
Every AP at Rocketship works closely with their Principal to lead and implement the instructional vision for one to three grade levels. APs manage and coach teachers in their grade levels by leading data analysis cycles, regularly observing classrooms, providing continuous feedback, and co-planning units of study and lesson plans aimed at increasing educator effectiveness and leadership. APs also serve as cultural and community leaders by building teacher capacity in culture, behavior, and parent engagement. Founding Fellows will become deeply immersed in the Rocketship model as APs in order to catalyze a successful launch of the inaugural Rocketship school in Southern California in 2027-2028.
Rocketship campuses are supported by a school leadership team that includes the Principal, an Assistant Principal, a Business Operations Manager, and an Office Manager. The school leadership team is responsible for professional development, culture and behavior in common spaces, and special events. Together, they lead a team of teachers, tutors, enrichment coordinators, and support staff who collectively deliver gap-closing, personalized instruction to students from TK to fifth grade.
As a school leader at Rocketship, you will receive ongoing professional development in conducting rigorous observations, providing meaningful feedback, and executing useful planning and analysis. Additionally, Founding Fellows would serve as thought leaders in our planning of our opening in Orange County, CA and may serve as critical members of the team on the ground in the year the school opens.
Our Ideal CandidateBelieves that adult preparation is essential to student success. Has a desire to become an elementary content expert and is eager to use that knowledge to develop teachers who demonstrate excellence in their planning and execution of lessons. Understands that eliminating the achievement gap is hard work but deeply rewarding and within their control. Has a deep commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students in Orange County, CA

The salary range for this position starts at $102,000. Once you join you will receive a generous signing bonus to kickstart your journey with us - we are offering a $7,500 signing bonus to new hires.
Essential Functions

• Developing Effective Educators:

Rocketship Founding Fellows are deeply committed to the success of each Rocketeer and the daily workload reflects that commitment. Foster a rigorous and college preparatory culture of excellence in every classroom that ensures high levels of student achievement. Coach grade level teams (5-9 educators) to build content expertise in Humanities or STEM. Engage in cycles of data driven instruction and assessments to inform planning and personalize instruction to student needs. Ensure at least 1.5 years of progress for all Rocketeers annually through management and planning. Collaborate with the Special Education team to ensure teachers are receiving the necessary support and training to maximize the delivery of instruction in our full inclusion model.

• Teaching:

Assistant Principals will at times be required to step in and teach to either model for teachers, provide assistance to teachers or the school community, or to more deeply internalize the school model. Additionally, as part of onboarding, all new Rocketship Assistant Principals may be expected to teach for three or more weeks to learn the curriculum and model. Student and Parent Partnership Rocketship Founding Fellows succeed in partnership with all students and families through frequent communication, building trusting relationships, and embracing the knowledge parents have as their child's first teacher. Create a school community that fully involves parents in student achievement through multiple outlets including home visits, regular community meetings, and parent/family meetings.

• Rocketship Professional Culture:

Rocketship Founding Fellows are deeply committed to doing and being their best, and to growing their skills as professionals and as individuals, so our daily and annual expectations reflect that commitment. Exhibit a high level of honest and humble self-reflection owning good and bad outcomes; effectively respond to and implement constructive feedback. Create a healthy, high-achieving, urgent environment where staff and students feel challenged and also fully supported and valued. Promote and participate in collaborative opportunities across schools to share best practices, problem solve, and gather feedback. The opportunity to contribute to the founding team for Rocketship Southern California region through planning meetings, visits to Orange County, CA and local outreach efforts

• Required Qualifications:

3+ years of experience teaching in an urban city classroom and realizing significant gains. Deep knowledge of elementary instruction and planning skills. Strong leadership skills and personal drive. Relentless pursuit of high expectations. Result-oriented and data-driven. Ability to inspire, motivate and develop others. Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Ability to engage and empower parents and families. Experience in building and maintaining outstanding school culture. Excellent time management and organizational skills. Strategic planning and project management experience. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Experience as a teacher or school leader in Southern California strongly preferred

• Education Requirements

BA from an Accredited University Teaching Credential required. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and welfare benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
$102,000 - $120,000 a year