Edtech.com's Summary

KIPP is hiring a Vice President of Academics & Instruction. This role leads the design and execution of the region's academic vision and instructional systems, overseeing curriculum, assessments, professional learning, and supporting school leaders to enhance instructional quality and student outcomes across KIPP St. Louis schools.

Highlights

Lead development and execution of K-12 academic vision, instructional strategy, and curriculum standards.
Provide non-evaluative instructional coaching and technical support to school leaders and assistant school leaders.
Oversee regional academic leaders including Curriculum Managers, Director of Professional Learning, and others.
Set standards and monitor implementation fidelity of curriculum, assessments, and professional learning programs.
Use data-driven decision making to improve academic systems and instructional quality.
Required expertise in special education, UDL, inclusive instructional design, and adult learning theory.
At least 5 years of classroom teaching experience and demonstrated leadership in academic strategy and instructional improvement.
Advanced degree in education, leadership, or adult learning, plus state teaching or administrative certification.
Salary range of $135,000 to $165,000 per year, with eligibility for performance bonuses.
Supports a diverse network serving over 2,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools within KIPP St. Louis Public Schools.

Vice President of Academics & Instruction Full Description

Company Description

Vice President of Academics & Instruction

The Vice President of Academics & Instruction (VPAI) owns the design and execution of the region’s academic vision, instructional strategy, curriculum, assessment, and professional learning systems to drive improved student outcomes across KIPP St. Louis. This role sets the standards, tools, and operating model for high-quality instruction and ensures coherent implementation across schools.

In partnership with the Chief Schools Officer (CSO), who supervises and evaluates school leaders, the VPAI provides non-evaluative instructional coaching and technical support to School Leaders and Assistant School Leaders to strengthen instructional leadership and execution of regional priorities.

Who we are:

KIPP St. Louis is a part of a national network of free, open-enrollment, public charter schools offering a choice to families and children in St. Louis city. As the largest charter school system in the city, we are driven and committed to our mission and vision.

Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

KIPP St. Louis currently educates over 2,000 students and boasts hundreds of alumni. Today, our St. Louis network consists of three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school.

What makes KIPP St. Louis unique?

We believe that our educators are proving what's possible in urban education each and every day, by inspiring students, and helping them discover the joy of learning. KIPP schools support our educators to help students achieve academic excellence, building the skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Together, we are raising the bar for every student, every day.

Job Description

Position type: Full time, exempt, 12 Month

Reporting & Collaboration

Direct Manager: Chief Schools Officer (CSO), accountable for school leader supervision and overall school performance.
Direct Reports: Curriculum Managers, Academic Data Specialist, Director of Special Populations, Assistant Manager of Compliance, and the Director of Professional Learning.
Key Collaborators: VP of Student Services & Experience, Regional Director of Operations, Special Populations leaders, school leaders, and cross-functional regional teams to ensure instructional systems are aligned and feasible for school implementation.

Autonomy & Decision Making

This role owns regional academic strategy and the quality of instructional systems, including curriculum, assessments, instructional frameworks, and professional learning design standards. The VPAI sets clear expectations, tools, and rhythms for instructional quality; manages and develops regional academic leaders; and partners with school leaders to support high-fidelity implementation. The VPAI is accountable for continuous improvement of academic systems using data and evidence of impact.

Inputs: What will I be doing in my day to day work?

Academic Vision & Strategy

Own the K–12 academic vision, instructional framework, curriculum, and assessment strategy.
Set regional standards for instructional quality and coherence.
Ensure alignment of academic systems to strategic priorities.

Instructional Quality & Implementation

Establish walkthrough look-fors and tools for instructional quality.
Monitor fidelity of curriculum and assessment implementation.
Use data to drive continuous improvement of academic systems.

Professional Learning Systems

Set the vision, scope, and quality bar for regional professional learning.
Supervise and develop the Director of Professional Learning and curriculum leaders.
Ensure PD systems lead to measurable changes in adult practice.

Leader Support (Non-Evaluative)

Provide non-evaluative instructional coaching and technical assistance to school leaders.
Partner with CSO to align leader instructional development to school priorities.
Support leaders in translating regional priorities into school-level execution.

Leadership & Teaming

Lead and develop regional academic leaders.
Partner cross-functionally with the VP of Student Experiences and the Director of Regional Operations
Drive coherence across regional academic initiatives.

Outcomes: What will I be evaluated on?

Coherent, high-quality academic systems (curriculum, assessments, instructional frameworks, professional learning standards) implemented with fidelity across schools.
Measurable improvements in instructional quality and student achievement aligned to the regional strategic plan.
Effective development and performance of regional academic leaders (Curriculum Managers, Director of Professional Learning).
Demonstrated improvements in implementation fidelity and instructional practice based on data-informed strategy adjustments.
Strong partnership with school leaders resulting in effective translation of regional academic priorities into classroom practice.

What skills should I already bring, i.e., what should I already have a track record around?

Managing through ambiguity,
Ability to make contingency plans and “see around corners” to determine appropriate course(s) of action,
Having crucial conversations,
Setting ambitious goals and driving results,
Designing and leading instructional professional development for both classroom teachers and school leaders,
Using data to drive continuous improvement,
Leading teams and cross-functional initiatives, managing leaders through cross-functional systems, and
Driving results in a K-12 district.

What should I know a lot about already, i.e., what should I have expertise in?

Leading academic strategy or instructional improvement,
Designing, evaluating, and improving professional learning systems for educators,
Special education, UDL, or inclusive instructional design,
High-performing network environments, and
Strong understanding of adult learning theory.

KIPP uses Indicators of Excellence (IOE) to codify what great looks like in daily work. For this role, the IOEs include:

Ownership and Stewardship: Takes responsibility for the integrity of strategic execution, governance, and compliance systems. Ensures no ambiguity around who owns priorities or outcomes.
Monitoring and Quality: Builds disciplined review cycles and quality assurance mechanisms that prevent fragmentation and ensure strong follow-through.
Coherence: Aligns initiatives across departments so that strategy, resources, and execution are integrated rather than siloed.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Ensures that data systems are accurate, transparent, and used to drive action. Elevates leading indicators and performance dashboards to the KIPP St. Louis Cabinet and Board of Directors.

Qualifications

Required

5+ years of successful classroom teaching experience with a record of results
Experience leading academic strategy or instructional improvement
Demonstrated credibility designing and leading instructional professional development for both classroom teachers and school leaders.
Experience using data to drive continuous improvement
Proven ability to lead teams and cross-functional initiatives
Demonstrated experience managing leaders through cross-functional systems
Proven track record of driving results in a K-12 district
Formal training or certification in special education, UDL, or inclusive instructional design
Advanced degree in education, leadership, or adult learning
State teaching or administrative certification
Demonstrated experience designing, evaluating, and improving professional learning systems for educators

Preferred

5+ years of experience as principal or principal manager
Experience in high-performing network environments
Network-level or multi-school academic leadership experience
Strong understanding of adult learning theory

Additional Information

What we bring to the table:

KIPP St. Louis is committed to pay equity and to ensuring that we do not unintentionally perpetuate historic wage gaps that persist due to individual negotiations. As a result, salaries are not negotiated. We are transparent about salaries in our job postings so that candidates can make an informed decision before beginning the hiring process. The salary range is $135,000-$165,000. This role is performance bonus eligible.

We are a fast paced, energetic team and family with passionate people who are leading a movement and to cultivate their best working environment we provide the following:

$0 deductible healthcare plan option, including medical, vision and dental.
Employer Paid Short Term Disability.
$50,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.
Retirement plan through PSSRSSL with an employer match up to 14% and an optional 403b as a supplement to our pension program
Employee Recognition: When we succeed together, we celebrate together with our annual gala award ceremony, holiday party, and more!
Public Service student loan forgiveness program qualified employer.
Ongoing professional development.

Generous time off:

Paid leave for illness, personal days, bereavement, jury duty, and military-related leave
Paid parental leave for new families
Paid holidays, as well as a one week Thanksgiving break, a two-week winter break, a week-long spring break
Wellness days provided throughout the year

Hiring Timeline and Steps

This role will be posted from February 24-February 29. The interview process will take place in March. The anticipated start date for the role is as soon as possible with the latest start of July 6, 2026.

If you are interested in working at KIPP St. Louis, please visit our website below to apply!

www.kippstl.org/apply

Check out our KIPP St. Louis video to learn more about KIPP St. Louis Public Schools!

KIPP St. Louis is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our students, families, teachers, staff and community members. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Original Job Description