Principal (ECHS-Gardena)

Environmental Charter Schools is seeking a full-time Principal for Environmental Charter High School in Gardena, CA. The role involves fostering an inclusive and academically rigorous school culture, ensuring instructional excellence, and building strong partnerships with students, families, and the community. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader committed to educational equity and have a track record of empowering teams and cultivating trust among staff.
Principal (ECHS-Gardena)

Reporting To: Deputy Superintendent of Schools

Position Type: Full-Time

Contact: Sarah Jamieson, sarah_jamieson@ecsonline.org

About ECS

The mission of the Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is to reimagine public education in low-income communities of color to prepare conscious, critical thinkers who are equipped to graduate from college and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Environmental Charter Schools (ECS) is a non-profit charter management organization with a growing network of free public schools in South Los Angeles. Environmental Charter Schools create and refine engaging, project-based, environmentally-themed, arts-integrated, social-justice driven, interdisciplinary curricula and assessments.

Since its inception in 2001, ECS has been providing students with a unique learning experience that utilizes environmental service learning to inspire our students to find authentic meaning in their studies. ECS now proudly serves over 1,700 students at two middle schools (Gardena and Inglewood) and two high schools (Lawndale and Gardena). ECS’ student achievement outcomes include: ECHS Lawndale ranks in the top 2% of public high schools in U.S. News & World Report, 100% of students graduate high school with the coursework necessary for admission to a four-year college or university, and 98% of students are admitted into college. Most of our students will be the first in their family to graduate from college.

The Opportunity

Environmental Charter Schools is seeking a dynamic, student-centered Principal to lead Environmental Charter High School Gardena (ECHS-G). The Principal is responsible for fostering a joyful, inclusive, and academically rigorous school culture that reflects ECS' mission and values. Working closely with the ECS leadership team, the Principal ensures instructional excellence, operational strength, staff growth, and a strong partnership with students, families, and community stakeholders.

This opportunity is ideal for a visionary leader who is not only committed to educational equity and academic excellence, but also passionate about transforming adult culture. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of cultivating trust, empowering teams, and leading with empathy—fostering a school climate where both students and educators thrive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Include:

School Climate & Culture
• Foster a joyful, inclusive, and caring learning environment where all students feel seen, celebrated, empowered, and safe.
• Model and champion restorative practices across the school community.
• Build, transform, and sustain a healthy, collaborative staff culture rooted in trust, mutual accountability, and shared purpose; proactively identify and address cultural challenges while celebrating collective and individual contributions.
• Lead with emotional intelligence and cultural humility to ensure all staff feel valued, heard, and supported in their professional and personal growth.
• Facilitate ongoing team-building, reflection, and restorative practices that foster connection, trust, and a sense of belonging among staff.
• Engage families as partners through transparent, timely, and two-way communication.
• Plan and deliver staff professional development aligned with ECS' mission, Reading Apprenticeship, and continuous improvement goals.

Student Achievement
• Lead the implementation of ECS’ rigorous, project-based, environmentally-focused curriculum.
• Monitor and improve student outcomes through data-driven decision-making.
• Coach instructional leaders and teachers through frequent classroom observations and actionable feedback cycles.
• Systemically address opportunity gaps with robust intervention and enrichment programs.
• Champion student voice and choice through inclusive academic and extracurricular programming.
• Sustain and strengthen a strong college-going culture through partnerships, counseling, academic programming, and student supports.
• Support instructional excellence across disciplines, including literacy integration, STEM pathways, and advisory systems.

Operations & Compliance
• Lead WASC accreditation, Charter Renewal, Local Control Accountability Plan and all major site-based compliance efforts.
• Partner with ECS Home Office to ensure operational, financial, and HR practices align with ECS policies and priorities.
• Partner with ECS Home Office to implement student outreach and engagement plan to ensure full school enrollment, high attendance rates and community engagement
• Manage the school’s budget responsibly and strategically.
• Ensure all safety, crisis, and emergency procedures are clearly communicated and practiced.
• Lead compassionate crisis response efforts that prioritize student and community wellbeing.
• Oversee facilities management to align with ECS’ environmental stewardship goals.
• Prioritize the achievement of student enrollment goals to ensure that the student population reflects the local community.
• Partner with community stakeholders and families to support student recruitment, retention, and engagement.

Leadership & Talent Development
• Model professionalism, resilience, compassion, and high expectations, while prioritizing staff wellbeing and cultivating an environment of psychological safety and continuous growth.
• Establish systems and structures that support open communication, conflict resolution, and a solutions-oriented mindset across the staff.
• Champion a workplace culture that supports innovation, inclusivity, self-care, and staff voice in school-wide decision-making.
• Build capacity for distributed leadership by identifying and nurturing emerging leaders within the school community.
• Build and sustain high-functioning leadership and instructional teams (Assistant Principal, Dean, Department Chairs, Grade Level Leaders).
• Lead staff hiring, retention, and professional development processes aligned with ECS' mission and values.
• Provide consistent coaching and feedback to leaders, teachers and staff, cultivating a culture of learning and continuous growth.
• Participate in network-wide collaboration, including Home Office meetings and cross-site initiatives.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s or Doctorate preferred.
• Valid California Teaching Credential and/or Administrative Services Credential.
• A minimum of 5 years of principal experience or demonstrated success in a comparable leadership role preferred.
• At least 3 years of successful classroom teaching experience.
• Charter school leadership experience is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with WASC accreditation, Charter Renewal, and compliance management.
• Proven record of coaching educators, driving academic achievement, and building inclusive school cultures.
• Strong budget management, operational leadership, and team management skills.
• Commitment to ECS’ mission, vision, values, and the success of all students.

This job primarily operates on a school site and in classrooms and utilizes typical office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.). Physical demands include: positioning to lift (should be able to lift up to 30 pounds to waist high), carry, push, and/or pull, kneel, stoop, crouch and bend. Generally, the job is 60% Stationary and 40% moving/traversing. Travel required for visits to other local school sites or the Home Office (as needed).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. ECS does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of age, actual or perceived race, actual or perceived gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. ECS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure equal access to all qualified individuals with a disability. If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resource Administrator at (310) 214-3408.