Job Description

DSST Public Schools (DSST) seeks applicants for the Dean of Students role for both Middle School and High School opportunities who has a demonstrated track-record of elevating student achievement in urban schools. The Dean holds primary responsibility for implementing the DSST model, including school culture and discipline, curriculum and instruction, student programming, and building relationships with families in grades 6-12. 

DSST Public Schools Overview:

DSST Public Schools is a network of high performing 6-12 charter schools in Denver, Colorado.  Since its inception in 2004, the Denver School of Science and Technology has boasted the highest performance and growth in Denver Public Schools.  The success of this network has gained attention from both President Obama, when DSST was recognized as one of three finalists in the Commencement Challenge, and by Oprah Winfrey, who awarded DSST one million dollars as one of six top charter networks nationally. 

Responsibilities:  DSST seeks candidates who have a demonstrated track record of the following leadership skills and beliefs:

Leadership

• DSST Mission Driven:  Shares a sense of urgency about achievement for ALL students and preparing every student for four-year college.
• Demonstrates tenacity and persistence in pursuit of solutions that maximize student achievement; is willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done right.
• Inspires students, families, staff, and others to believe in and reflect the school’s mission, high expectations and values.
• Demonstrates a high level of professional maturity, including emotional constancy in stressful situations, the ability to bring out the best in others, a solution seeker, and acts as a positive force to motivate others.
• Carefully manages tasks and time, is well-organized, and is detail-oriented.
• Mentors and coaches staff members with challenging but manageable assignments to encourage growth; identify and systematically develops future leaders.

Culture

• Establishes a school culture that is centered on core values that ultimately shows deep care for each student and staff member, and holds each student and staff member to the highest level of accountability.
• Creates a professional learning community in which teachers regularly collaborate to reflect on and refine curriculum and instruction at the school using achievement data, student work, and their own observations/experiences.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively relate to students and engage them in relationships, in one-on-one, small group and large group settings.
• Ensures effective communication with families with respect to student academic performance, student conduct, school programs, and school performance.

Systems

• Able to implement systems that “sweat the small stuff,” maximize the programmatic goals of the school, and are scalable as the school grows.
• Develops solutions to complex problems that involve multiple stakeholders and steps.
• Manages with fiscal responsibility - develops a disciplined planning process that identifies the school’s highest-priorities.

The High School Dean of Students will be evaluated based on data-driven performance indicators including, but not limited to, student attendance, student achievement, student retention and attrition, and parent/student satisfaction.

Experience Required:  High School Dean of Students candidates should demonstrate proven school leadership skills in urban settings with an emphasis on data-driven instruction, demonstrable gains in student achievement, and student programming and interventions.  It is also preferred that the candidate have 3+ years working in middle school classrooms and schools, preferably in urban schools and/or communities.

Compensation:  DSST Public Schools offers a very competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to continuing professional learning.