Associate School Director (2027-2028 School Year)

POSITION: Associate School Director (ASD)

GRADE LEVEL: Hiring for both middle school and high school positions

LOCATION: Multiple DSST Public Schools locations across Denver and Aurora, Colorado. View current openings. We encourage you to apply even if your preferred location is not yet listed, as additional opportunities may become available throughout the hiring season.

SALARY: $94,000–$112,750 based on up to 10 years of aligned experience. We also offer a relocation stipend for candidates moving from 75 miles or more outside Denver!

STATUS: Full-time, year-round, benefits-eligible, exempt, in-person position

START: Summer 2027, beginning with new administrator training. Specific start date will be confirmed closer to the beginning of the school year. View the school-year calendar. 

At DSST Public Schools, we believe exceptional school leadership is essential to creating rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning environments where every student can thrive. We're looking for experienced, mission-driven educational leaders who are passionate about developing people, strengthening instruction, and driving meaningful schoolwide impact.

As an Associate School Director (ASD), you'll serve as a senior school leader and strategic partner to the School Director, helping drive student achievement, develop exceptional educators, and strengthen schoolwide systems and culture. Depending on your school placement, your leadership portfolio may focus more heavily on instructional leadership, school culture, operations, or a combination of these areas. Across all placements, you'll coach and develop staff, lead key school priorities, and share responsibility for schoolwide success.

• Make a Schoolwide Impact: Help lead a rigorous, vibrant, and inclusive school community, driving student achievement, instructional excellence, and a culture of belonging.
• Develop Teachers & Future Leaders: Coach, manage, and inspire educators while building strong teams and cultivating the next generation of school leaders.
• Grow Within a Collaborative Leadership Community: Partner closely with your School Director and engage in DSST's networkwide Instructional Leadership Development and Culture Leadership Development opportunities.

Explore School Leadership at DSST: Interested in growing your career as a school leader? Visit our School Leadership webpage to learn more about our leadership approach, professional development opportunities, and the community of leaders you'll join.

As an ASD, you'll serve as a key member of the School Leadership Team, sharing responsibility for schoolwide results and supporting the growth of students, teachers, and leaders. Specific responsibilities and areas of ownership vary by campus, based on school needs and the School Director's leadership team structure. The responsibilities below reflect the range of work ASDs may lead across DSST.

Lead & Develop Exceptional Teams

• Serve as a strategic partner to the School Director, helping execute a shared vision for student achievement, school culture, and operational excellence.
• Coach, supervise, and evaluate teachers and school leaders through actionable feedback, professional development, and performance management.
• Identify and develop emerging leaders, building a strong and sustainable school leadership teacher observations, coaching, assessment analysis, and continuous improvement cycles.
• Partner with teachers and department leaders to strengthen curriculum, instructional planning, and rigorous, standards-aligned assessments.
• Use student achievement data to guide instructional decisions, monitor progress, and improve academic outcomes for all students.
• Support schoolwide assessment systems, including standardized testing, and lead professional development aligned with instructional priorities.

Build a Thriving School Culture

• Foster a joyful, inclusive, and achievement-oriented school community grounded in DSST's core values, high expectations, and strong relationships.
• Partner with school leaders to strengthen systems that support student engagement, belonging, accountability, and social-emotional growth.
• Support schoolwide culture initiatives, including Morning Meetings and opportunities to celebrate student and staff success.

Lead Schoolwide Systems & Strategy

• Design and implement effective, sustainable schoolwide systems that support student success and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with school leadership to solve complex challenges, establish priorities, and ensure responsible use of school resources.
• Support schoolwide priorities, including staff recruitment and hiring, student recruitment, and family engagement.
• Partner with DSST's Home Office and network leaders to strengthen curriculum, assessment systems, professional development, and instructional practices across the network.

Depending on school needs, additional responsibilities may include teaching a course, advising students, or supporting other schoolwide initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• At least 5 years of experience working in schools and classrooms.
• At least 2 years of school-based leadership experience in grades 6–12.
• Demonstrated success coaching, managing, and developing adults to improve student outcomes and professional growth.
• A deep commitment to educational equity and the belief that every student deserves access to an exceptional education.
• Strong instructional leadership, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with a commitment to continuous reflection and growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading instructional improvement, curriculum development, or schoolwide academic initiatives.
• Experience supervising teachers, instructional coaches, or other school leaders.
• Demonstrated success using student achievement data to improve academic outcomes.
• Experience supporting students from historically underserved communities, including students of color, multilingual learners, and students with disabilities.

We know exceptional school leaders come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences! If you're excited about this opportunity but have questions about your qualifications or eligibility, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Talent Team at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!

Please note: The DSST Talent Team replies to every application. If you haven’t heard from us by the indicated timeline, please check your spam folder first. If you don’t see an email there, reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re committed to providing an exceptional candidate experience.

Application Timeline

This is an evergreen position, meaning DSST Public Schools recruits for this role on an ongoing basis to support current and anticipated hiring needs across our network. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates may be contacted for interviews as opportunities become available.

For positions with a defined hiring timeline, the anticipated application deadline will be listed at the top of the job posting.

Who We Are

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.

We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

• 100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
• 15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
• 9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
• 95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people 

Why Work at DSST?

At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.

• Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
• Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
• Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
• Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
• Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.

Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.

Employment Classification & PERA Participation

DSST Public Schools participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Unless otherwise stated in the position title or posting, all roles are full-time and are designated as PERA-covered positions. Candidates should review their individual circumstances and ensure they are able to accept employment in a PERA-covered role prior to applying.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not exclude participation in, deny benefits to, or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, or genetic information. We also prohibit retaliation for filing a complaint, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in any investigation or proceeding.

DSST is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals are respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing these duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and may spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, or kneeling. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 30 pounds and have sufficient hand and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.