Dean of Students

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Ourstudents consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

At Uncommon Schools the Dean of Students (DOS) partners with the Principal and Director of Operations to create a school culture where students are actively engaged in academics and excited to come to school. Our schools are a place where students enjoy learning and engage respectfully with their peers, teachers and community. Our Deans build strong relationships and a positive school culture to ensure that all students embody the school’s values and stay focused on their journey to and through college. The Dean will also lead initiatives around school culture, our college preparatory focus, culturally responsive teaching, and student and family engagement. As Dean of Students:

• You’ll work closely with the Principal and Director of Operations to establish a positive, achievement-oriented, and culturally responsive school culture.

• You’ll demonstrate mastery of our instructional taxonomy to model behavior management best practices for teachers.

• You’ll support teachers in empowering students to meet their full academic and personal potential.

• You'll navigate behavioral crisis-intervention and acute behavioral issues, and you'll manage the school-wide behavior plan utilizing culturally responsive techniques.

• You’ll collaborate with teachers, students, and families to create and implement individual behavior plans.

• You’ll manage systems that support school initiatives that lead to academic success for our students (e.g., attendance systems, homework systems).

• You'll be highly present and visible during school hours, constantly ensuring the school has an inclusive and joyful school culture. You will also be present and visible for other school-wide events outside of school hours, including parent-teacher conferences, school-wide performances.

• You’ll model the school’s values and the standard for academic and personal excellence.

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools;

• Unwavering belief in high academic and behavioral expectations for all students.

• Exceptional time and task management skills;

• Ability to persevere despite uncertainty and unexpected obstacles;

• Relentless drive to empower students academically and personally;

• Self-motivation, desire to be a great teammate, and a strong sense of personal responsibility;

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, and strong interpersonal skills with students, parents, colleagues, and community members;

• Ability and desire to implement feedback from school leaders and colleagues.

• Requirements:

  • 3+ years of experience working with youth or teaching in an urban district or charter school setting, with an explicit focus on building rapport and trust;

  • Proven track record of holding high standards and offering emotional and academic support to students.

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $73,000 and $115,000. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $73,000 - $79,000.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).

• Extensive, best-in-class training and development

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)

• Financial Planning

  • New Jersey Pension program

• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)

• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].