Job Description

ORGANIZATION 

As part of the Philadelphia-based Freire Network, Freire Charter School Wilmington (FCSW) offers the close-knit feel and independent governance of a community-based school – led by its own Board – while benefiting from the stability and shared services of a centralized support office. Located in Wilmington, Delaware, FCSW is a small public charter high school committed to preparing students – many of whom have historically been underserved – for college success and full participation in civic life. Grounded in the educational philosophy of Paulo Freire, the school centers relationships, student voice, critical thinking, and social justice as core drivers of learning and belonging.

Founded over a decade ago, FCSW serves students beginning in 8th grade through high school using a distinctive five-year college preparatory model designed to meet students where they are academically while building the persistence, skills, and confidence needed to succeed in college and beyond. As one of the only non-selective public charter high school options in Wilmington, Freire plays a critical role in the local education landscape.

Freire Wilmington is known for its close-knit, family-like culture, deeply caring educators, and strong student–staff relationships. The school operates in a beautiful, purpose-built facility, including a new gym, and benefits from support from a growing Freire network central office while maintaining meaningful autonomy at the school level.

To learn more about Freire Charter School Wilmington, please visit: .

OPPORTUNITY 

The Head of School serves as the instructional, cultural, and operational leader of Freire Charter School Wilmington. This is an opportunity for a hands-on, student-centered school leader to lead a rigorous and demanding school while preserving the heart and humanity of a small, mission-driven community.

• Believes deeply in educational equity, college access, and the transformative power of public education
• Brings an entrepreneurial mindset – energized by building systems, solving problems, and turning vision into action
• Leads with both empathy and resolve, balancing care for people with clear expectations and accountability
• Thrives in a high-autonomy, “scrappy” environment that requires initiative, adaptability, and follow-through
• Is highly visible with students, present and trusted with staff, and relentlessly focused on results
• Effectively challenges and supports teachers and staff through a culture of continuous improvement

The Head of School will be responsible for FCSW’s enrollment strategy, clarifying vision, strengthening academics, rebuilding trust, and translating good ideas into consistent practice. Success will require balancing strong relationships with firm expectations, and innovation with follow-through.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities of the Head of School include:

Student Enrollment Strategy, Family & Community Engagement

• Lead and execute a comprehensive student enrollment and retention strategy, with the goal of significantly increasing and sustaining student enrollment;
• Serve as the public face of the school to prospective families, current families, community partners, and the broader Wilmington and Delaware education and civic landscape;
• Build trust with families through consistent, transparent, and culturally responsive communication;
• Effectively recruit students by strengthening outreach, admissions processes, and the school’s value proposition;
• Cultivate strategic partnerships that expand student opportunity, enhance the school’s reputation, and support enrollment growth.

Academic & Instructional Leadership

• Lead the design and execution of a rigorous, coherent, and truly college-preparatory academic program, with a particular focus on improving Math and ELA outcomes
• Strengthen curriculum alignment, support effective instruction, and ensure students build foundational skills while progressing toward grade-level expectations
• Partner closely with Freire Network academic leaders and resources to leverage shared expertise, tools, and best practices in service of student achievement
• Provide meaningful opportunities for students to excel, thrive, and see themselves as capable scholars.

Culture, Climate & Student Experience 

• Establish a consistent, joyful, and accountable school culture that prioritizes safety, belonging, and high expectations for behavior and effort; 
• Strengthen discipline systems, reinforce norms (including dress code and attendance), and increase student engagement through electives, athletics, and enrichment.

People Leadership & Talent Management

• Recruit, develop, retain, and support high-quality teachers and staff; 
• Improve teacher and leader retention by clarifying roles, strengthening feedback and evaluation systems, building leadership capacity;
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and professional growth.

Operational & Organizational Leadership

• Bring structure, clarity, and coherence to school operations, decision-making, and internal communication;
• Design and implement clear systems, processes, and accountability measures across teams;
• Manage the school’s budget responsibly, ensuring financial sustainability and alignment to strategic priorities;
• Oversee facilities and operations to ensure a safe, efficient, and well-maintained learning environment;
• Support fundraising and advancement efforts in partnership with the Board and Network;
• Partner effectively with the Freire Network central office to leverage shared services, expertise, and infrastructure.

Outcomes for the new Head of School’s first year will include:

• Strengthening Enrollment & Retention: Grow and sustain enrollment by elevating the student and family experience, clearly articulating the school’s identity and value proposition, and building the systems and outreach needed to generate a strong waitlist and lottery.
• Strengthening Leadership & Systems: Build a clear, well-aligned organizational structure with defined decision-making authority and shared accountability; invest in and develop a strong, cohesive leadership team; and create reliable routines, communication channels, and systems that support consistency, transparency, and follow-through.
• Improving Academic Rigor & Outcomes: Launch a clear academic improvement plan focused on curriculum quality, instructional practice, targeted interventions, and measurable growth in Math and ELA.
• Strengthening Culture & Morale: Cultivate joy, trust, and pride among staff and students by listening deeply, setting clear expectations, celebrating successes, and addressing challenges with clarity and fairness.
• Deepening Community Connection: Strengthen relationships with families and embed the school more fully in the Wilmington community through partnerships, visibility, and authentic engagement.

Requirements

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Head of School candidate will be:

• An experienced school-based leader (Principal or Head of School preferred) with a strong foundation as a classroom teacher – ideally at the secondary level – and a deep understanding of the daily realities faced by educators and students.
• A mission-aligned, equity-driven leader who believes in Freire’s commitment to student voice, social justice, and college access, and can translate values into daily practice.
• An entrepreneurial leader who can design and execute creative strategies to drive student recruitment, enrollment growth, and long-term retention.
• A strong instructional leader with demonstrated success improving academic outcomes, particularly for students entering significantly below grade level.
• An effective people manager and culture builder who can balance warmth with accountability, avoid micromanagement, and develop leadership in others.
• A clear, consistent communicator who values transparency, listens actively, and follows through on commitments.
• An experienced change manager with the resilience, courage, and emotional steadiness to lead through complexity, resistance, and ambiguity.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and operationally strong, with experience managing budgets, systems, and competing priorities.
• Ideally familiar with the Delaware and/or Wilmington education landscape (preferred but not required).

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $140,000 - $170,000 and robust benefits that includes health, dental, vision, and more. More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at .

Freire Charter School Wilmington is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.

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