Job Description

Founding Principal | Davenport Prep

Davenport, IA

About the Organization

Opportunity Education (OE) is a charitable foundation with the mission of developing and supporting life-changing learning programs for young adults worldwide. Founded in 2005 by entrepreneur philanthropist Joe Ricketts, Opportunity Education has supported programs in 12 countries across primary and secondary grades, charitably serving over 1 million students and over 5,000 teachers in 1,500 schools.

In 2017, we established two high schools in California and Nebraska founded on the principles of Quest Forward Learning. The Opportunity Education Network (OEN) is expanding across the United States, with a focus on the Midwest, to provide students with rigorous academic opportunities and intentional planning for their post-secondary pathways. In 2025, we will launch our first two Iowa schools, Des Moines Prep and Cedar Rapids Prep. Building on this momentum, the Iowa State Board of Education has approved Opportunity Education to open Davenport Prep in Fall 2026.

About the Role

The Davenport Prep Founding Principal role is a unique opportunity to design, launch, and lead a new school. Reporting to the Chief of Schools, the Founding Principal will spend the 2025-26 school year in a residency program learning from OE’s current schools, deeply understanding the needs of and mobilizing support within the Quad Cities community, designing a school within the OE framework, establishing the necessary operational infrastructure, and preparing the school to launch in Fall 2026.

During the 2025-26 school year, the Founding Principal will engage in a Residency Year with ambitious expectations, including:

• Immersing in the tools, curriculum, resources, and learning science developed by OE to effectively integrate them into the school
• Spending significant time with OEN’s Chief of Schools and current principals, capturing best practices in the design of Davenport Prep
• Establishing relationships and partnerships in the Quad Cities community to ensure both a successful school launch and unparalleled opportunities for students in community engagement, career, and college access
• Recruiting and securing full enrollment for the founding class of students
• Recruiting and hiring the founding team of teachers and staff
• Building the systems and structures that ensure excellence in onboarding, launch, and daily success of the school

Ideal Traits

The ideal candidate has the following mindsets and traits:

• An entrepreneurial spirit, including a bold vision for what’s possible and a history of persevering through ambiguity and challenges to achieve goals.
• A high degree of integrity, including unquestionable reliability and follow-through on responsibilities
• A deep belief, in mindset and practice, that every student who walks through your doors has the potential to succeed
• A belief that all students are college-capable, while also understanding that students should explore and be prepared for various post-secondary pathways. The ideal candidate embraces helping students make informed decisions that maximize their success, happiness, and financial well-being
• A deep passion for educational excellence and a competitive commitment to achieving measurable outcomes
• Alignment with Opportunity Education’s approach to active and engaged learning, including a commitment to using the curriculum, tools, and resources within the school.
• A love for Davenport and the Quad Cities, with a strong passion for seeing students and the community thrive

Ideal Qualifications

Among the qualifications, the ideal candidate has the following:

• A history of measurable and significant achievement in K-12 education in and out of the classroom
• Experience leading teams, including managing multiple levels of leadership, while fostering a high-achieving and positive culture
• Experience building external partnerships with community organizations, corporations, and colleges to create opportunities for students
• Proven ability to cultivate a clear, consistent, and positive school culture by setting high expectations and providing enriching opportunities for students
• Well-established instructional leadership ability, including teacher coaching, curriculum development, and fostering data-driven learning communities among staff
• Proficiency in managing a school’s budget and leading operational systems (e.g., technology, scheduling, parent communication, school cleanliness) with successful attention to detail
• 5+ years of experience as a K-12 school leader, ideally at the principal level.
• 10+ years of experience as an instructional leader in and out of the classroom
• The Founding Principal must currently possess or have the ability to obtain an Iowa administrator license ahead of the school’s launch in Summer/Fall 2026
• A personal connection to Davenport or the broader community

Compensation & Benefits

During the residency year, prior to the school’s launch, the expected base salary for this position is between $140,000-160,000. The residency year includes access to OEN’s full suite of benefits, including health, vision, and dental plans.

Location

While the ideal candidate currently resides in or near Davenport and has a strong connection to the community, residency in the Quad Cities is not required at the time of hiring but must be established within the Residency Year.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your application online at [insert application link] and direct any questions to careers@opportunityeducation.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to candidates who apply before April 1, 2025.

Start Date

The expected full-time start date is July 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Opportunity Education/Opportunity Education Network is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued and respected.

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