Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School Principal Search
The time has come to select the next principal for the Jefferson- Houston PreK-8 IB School. We look forward to working with students, staff, families, students and the broader school community to find and retain the best candidate for this important position. Family and community involvement in this process is critical.
Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB Principal Search Timeline
January 2025
- January 31, 2025 - Post Job Description/Announcement. Communicate process to stakeholders.
February 2025
- February 18, 2025
- Post online survey for staff, parents, students, and community members.
- February 24, 2025
- Online survey closes.
- February 27, 2025
- Post Leadership Profile online to accompany job description.
March 2025
- March 3 and 4, 2025
- First Round Panel Interviews. The goal is to narrow the field for second-panel interviews.
- March 6, 2025
- Second Round Panel Interviews. The goal is to narrow the field to two finalists.
- March 11, 2025
- Finalists meet and greet with staff and PTA/Community in two separate virtual meetings. The community virtual forums are posted online for three days for viewing/feedback.
- March 11-14, 2025
- Staff and parents/community provide feedback on finalists from virtual meet and greet sessions.
- March 17, 2025
- Individual interviews of two finalists with the Superintendent of Schools.
April 2025
- April 3, 2025
- Alexandria City School Board approval.
Leadership Profile for Principal: Jefferson-Houston Prek-8 IB School
- Purpose
This LEADERSHIP PROFILE defines the specific attributes for the next principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School. The profile reflects input from several stakeholder groups to include staff, parents, and community residents. Applicants and selection panels will use this profile to assess the candidate qualities of the position.
- Introduction and Background
The Alexandria City Public Schools initiated a search for the position of principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School in August 2024, to replace the principal who resigned.
ACPS gathered information for the leadership profile from a community online survey with staff, parents, and community members. The online survey was open to the public. The survey requested participant comments about strengths of the school, challenges facing the school and qualities/attributes desired in a new leader. The survey enlisted comments from approximately forty-five parents, community, and staff members.
As there was no requirement for participants to provide personal identifying information, there may have been some duplication of survey responses. There were, as will be evidenced later, several consistent themes in the survey responses.
Note, the data provided are not a scientific sampling, nor should they necessarily be construed as representing the majority opinion of the respective groups providing feedback.
As search consultant, I have reviewed the comments made and provided a summary of consistent themes in a concise manner to support the application, interview, and selection process for the new principal. This report, by its nature, cannot include all comments made. However, the detail of all feedback is available and will be maintained for an appropriate period.
The strengths, challenges and traits noted will be used to inform panelists about candidates to be interviewed. The successful candidate will be one who, through the interview and selection process, best fits the leadership profile. The selected principal will be a school leader who can provide excellent educational, social, and personal outcomes for students, staff, parents, and the community.
- Consistent Themes from the Online Survey
Strengths of Jefferson-Houston School
- Strong community.
- Diversity.
- Dedicated, energized and caring students.
- Dedicated and experienced staff.
- Engaged parents and community.
- Facility and location.
- Small size.
- Academic program.
Challenges for Jefferson-Houston School
- Staff turnover, recruitment, and retention.
- Consistency of leadership/administration.
- Academic focus and achievement.
- Communications/customer service.
- Accountability at division and building levels.
- Morale.
Desired Personal Qualities/Attributes of Principal
- Good communicator.
- Decision maker.
- Organized.
- Fair, friendly, kind, and caring.
- Approachable/”Open-Door” Policy.
- Respectful, supportive, and compassionate.
- Exhibits integrity.
- Understands work/life balance.
Desired Professional Qualities/Attributes of Principal
- Strong leader.
- Advocate for staff and school.
- Community builder.
- Collaborative approach.
- Fosters strong culture/environment.
- Academically and programmatically knowledgeable.
- Visionary.
- Committed to excellence.
- Good communicator.
- Sample Comments from the Online Survey.
Many of the comments centered around the leadership, staff and students at Jefferson-Houston. The following comments provide a brief commentary in this area:
“Jefferson Houston deserves the best in our next leader.” —Parent
“Someone who exhibits strong leadership and visibility.” —Staff
“Long term consistency is the key.” —Parent
The following statements provide an overview of feedback from the online survey relative to attributes desired in the new principal:
- “Jefferson-Houston needs a leader who is invested in the school community and committed to our learners and staff.”
- “I want someone who wants to be here for the long haul and who can attract, recruit, and empower fantastic teachers.”
- “The school needs vision, drive and passion for lifting up children to academic excellence.”
- “Academic achievement should be the main focus of the next principal.”
- “Jefferson-Houston has the potential to be the shining star of Old Town…(with) consistent leadership and vision to give this exceptional city solid educational opportunities.”
- “I would hope a principal would embody the IB learner profile traits…”
- “Diverse, committed, confident, fair, empathetic, patient, respectful, and kind.”
- “Willingness to be available to parents… (and be) a teacher advocate.”
- Instructions to Applicants.
A candidate should use this profile to make a self-assessment and determine how she/he best fits the qualities sought by the school community. These characteristics should be reflected in the content of the application. Should the applicant be selected for an interview, the candidate must demonstrate these qualities in the screening process. A strong principal should demonstrate leadership and management skills, inspire trust, and build support in the school and across the community. We seek a principal who can do adapt these qualities for the Jefferson-Houston School community.
- Closing.
I extend my thanks to all who provided feedback via the online survey. Your time, effort and concern are most appreciated. We look forward to the selection of the best candidate as your next principal.
Sincerely,
John Porter
School Principal Search Consultant
Department of Human Resources, ACPS