Chief Academic Officer jobs in Memphis, TN

About Us:

Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a network of PreK-12 free public charter schools serving students in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades PreK-12 to excel in college and in life. Since our founding in 2009, we have grown from a class of 96 sixth grade students to now serving over 1950 students across multiple campuses. In 2024, we expanded into Birmingham, AL, starting with grades K-1, with plans to grow to a K-5 campus. 

At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students of color across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English Language Arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life.

At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.

**To apply please send your resume to jobs@k12searchgroup.com with the subject line of “Freedom Prep

CAO” no later than January 19, 2025.**

Opportunity

Freedom Prep is seeking a seasoned, systems-minded, results-driven instructional leader to serve as the Chief

Academic Officer (CAO) and execute the vision and direction for academics in support of the organization’s

mission. The CAO is responsible for overseeing the academic performance, instructional leadership, and

school culture across the Freedom Prep network of schools. The CAO will supervise and support Freedom

Prep’s school leaders and members of the network academic team. The CAO will also ensure consistency of

all academic functions across the network and oversee professional development for instructional leaders and

teachers.

The CAO will serve as a key member of Freedom Prep’s Leadership Team and report directly to the Chief

Executive Officer. The Chief Academic Officer will collaborate closely with the Chief Operating Officer,

Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief of External Affairs, and Chief People Officer to ensure that

Freedom Prep’s schools meet the highest standards of excellence and equity. The CAO’s primary focus is to

deliver exceptional academic results, eliminate disparities, and foster a culture of success for all students.

In the first year, the new CAO will be expected to:

● Assess, modify, and scale Freedom Prep’s academic systems to support the current organization and

expected growth of the network;

● Implement a strong instructional vision, plan, and corresponding strategies for the next 3-5 years;

● Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Network Academic Team members, define their

partnership with schools and school leaders, and continue to build out the team;

● Build trust and strong relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, senior

leadership, Heads of Schools and school-based staff, network leadership, and state authorizers.

The ideal candidate is a current or former successful school leader and/or has experience managing charter

networks and/or districts to procure, refine, adopt, and progress monitor curriculum, instruction, and

academic systems. Strong CAO candidates have a track record of leading teams to improve student outcomes

within a high-performing charter network or school district that serves a similar student population as

Freedom Prep and are personally aligned with the organization’s mission and vision.

Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership

● Provide visionary academic leadership, ensure vision and mission alignment for Freedom Prep’s

school leaders and the network academic team;

● Collaborate with the CEO to drive the academic vision for all Freedom Prep schools;

● Implement research-proven, standards-based instructional practices and curriculum;

● Support school leaders in implementing effective instructional cycles and data-driven decision-

making;

● Collaborate with the CEO on region-wide and individual professional development for Heads of

Schools and direct reports.

Network Leadership

● Execute the vision for network-wide academic achievement and build out a network academic team

to operationalize this vision and drive school academic growth and success;

● Lead the development and selection of high-quality curricular materials and aligned assessments

across academic disciplines and grade levels that are designed to serve students at all levels and

abilities in partnership with the academic team, regional teams, and schools;

● Oversee program design, implementation, and achievement of all specialized learning groups,

including students with IEPs, emergent bilingual and multilingual students;

● In partnership with the Head of Schools, oversee the support and development of teachers and

school academic leaders to implement curriculum in a highly effective way, including professional

development for teachers in pedagogy and their specific content areas;

● Use data effectively to drive instructional practice and, in collaboration with the Chiefs, improve and

adjust academic strategy and program;

● Hire and lead the network academic team: Regional Director of Schools, Managing Director of

Academics, and Managing Director of Student Services, and collaborate closely with each Head of

School.

School Management and Performance

● Oversee the academic and cultural performance of all Freedom Prep schools;

● Build trust-based relationships across organizational layers to achieve goals and navigate challenges;

● Foster collaboration among school leaders to ensure network-wide alignment;

● Work with incoming school leaders on school design, planning, and implementation.

School Culture and Equity

● Ensure that each school maintains a positive, engaging culture of excellence and college-focus;

● Champion equity and work to eliminate racial disparities in school performance;

● Monitor the implementation of behavioral consequences to align with the network's mission and

vision.

Compliance and Special Needs Support

● Ensure compliance with city, state, and federal regulations related to Individualized Education Plans

and English Language Learners;

● Work with Heads of Schools, families, and the CEO to manage risks and crises related to student

safety;

● Innovate and partner with the operations team to improve academic data systems and curriculum.

Talent Development and Professional Development

● Coach, develop, and manage the network academic team;

● Design and deliver ongoing professional development for school leaders and school culture teams;

● Lead talent development structures to support ongoing leadership and coaching.

Qualifications

The ideal CAO candidate will have the following experience, skills, mindsets, and education:

Experience

● A minimum of ten years of professional experience including at least five years as a successful K-12

principal; at least two years of network/district leadership, senior leadership, or chief-level leadership

preferred;

● Experience teaching and leading at a high-performing charter or district elementary, middle, or high

school in an underserved/low-income community with a similar student population to the

communities Freedom Prep serves;

● A proven track record of improving student achievement in a challenging context using data to drive

student achievement results;

● Proven experience coaching senior leaders and school leaders in an educational setting;

● Extensive experience in the design, integration, implementation, and management of a school

including knowledge of curriculum, instructional practices, assessments, pedagogy, school

management, and leadership development;

● Demonstrated success fostering a strong student and adult culture across a school or network of

schools.

Skills

● Cultural competence with a commitment to equitable practices and systems;

● Reflective, analytical leader who makes data-based decisions;

● Relationship builder who effectively interacts with a variety of stakeholders including students,

parents, teachers, principals, and community leaders;

● High degree of emotional intelligence;

● Ability to set strategic vision and direction and lead a team to execute on ambitious goals;

● Exceptional coach who can identify, develop, and retain outstanding talent;

● Ability to manage ambiguity and prioritize effectively in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment;

● Ability to give and receive feedback and thrive in a feedback-rich organizational culture focused on

continuous improvement;

● Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail;

● Strong written and oral communication skills;

● Proactive problem solver;

● Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Mindset

● Commitment and unwavering belief in Freedom Prep’s mission and vision;

● Strong growth mindset and self-awareness;

● Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external

pressures;

● Personal qualities of maturity, humility, and a strong work ethic;

● Intellectually curious and willing to learn and grow alongside others.

Education

● Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year institution;

● A master’s degree in education or a related field, or comparable management-level experience

preferred.

Commitment to Diversity: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and

experienced team of educators. Freedom Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender,

handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. Freedom Prep is an equal opportunity

employer.

Compensation Range: $150,000 to $170,000 annually with a performance-based bonus structure of up to 10%

based on progress to goals. A relocation stipend is available for qualifying candidates.

We are excited that you are inspired or called to learn more about our mission, values, and potential opportunities. We’d encourage you to explore a few additional resources about us, the recent investment for what’s possible, and why you should consider our community as a place for you to become a part of. We are one of the few networks that centers the whole person and their needs to thrive and support themselves and their families in the South.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION: At Freedom Prep, we prioritize transparency in everything we do. We believe that open communication fosters trust and collaboration. As part of this commitment, we make our salary scales available online for you to view, ensuring clarity and fairness in our compensation practices. You can view our compensation scales on our website. Please click HERE to be redirected.

Check out some of the unique and rare benefits here, including but not limited to: 

-Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage

-Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care (TN ONLY)

-Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning

-Support in obtaining licensure

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.