Director of Advanced Academics

About the role

The Director of Advanced Academics provides strategic leadership and oversight of advanced academic programming across KIPP Texas Public Schools. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving systems that expand student access to rigorous, college-level coursework and increase successful participation and performance in advanced academic programs.

The Director will lead the organization's Advanced Placement (AP) program, ensuring strong program implementation, teacher development, student participation, and academic outcomes across all KIPP Texas high schools.

Additionally, the Director will collaborate closely with the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) team, campus leaders, and other academic departments to support the integration of dual credit and OnRamps opportunities within the broader advanced academics and postsecondary readiness strategy.

This position requires a strategic leader who can translate organizational priorities into actionable campus-level systems, build capacity among educators and school leaders, use data to drive continuous improvement, and ensure that all students have equitable access to advanced academic opportunities that prepare them for success in college and beyond.

Role Responsibilities

Advanced Academics Strategy & Program Development

• Serve as a strategic partner in shaping advanced academic programming across KIPP Texas high schools and lead the implementation of established organizational priorities and initiatives.
• Establish consistent expectations, systems, and implementation guidance for advanced academic coursework across campuses.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of the organization's advanced academics framework, incorporating AP, dual credit, and OnRamps opportunities.
• Partner with the CCMR team to ensure advanced academic programming aligns with organizational CCMR goals and postsecondary readiness priorities.
• Collaborate with academic leadership to ensure advanced coursework is appropriately integrated into school academic plans, master schedules, and student course sequences.
• Identify opportunities to expand access to rigorous coursework while maintaining high standards for student preparation and academic success.

Advanced Placement (AP) Program Leadership & Oversight

• Provide direct oversight and strategic leadership of the KIPP Texas AP program across all high schools.
• Establish and monitor expectations for AP course offerings, student enrollment, participation, and performance.
• Lead the development and implementation of AP program policies, procedures, guidance, and annual implementation timelines.
• Oversee AP course enrollment processes and develop strategies to increase student participation and successful course completion.
• Manage the organization's relationship with College Board, including program requirements, compliance, communications, and annual deadlines.
• Oversee AP exam administration processes, including registration, ordering, testing logistics, and campus readiness.
• Establish systems for monitoring AP exam participation, completion, and student performance.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve AP student outcomes, including exam preparation, academic interventions, and campus-level performance monitoring.
• Support the recruitment, development, and retention of highly qualified AP teachers.
• Establish expectations and provide guidance for AP Coordinators and campus personnel responsible for AP implementation.
• Coordinate AP professional learning opportunities, including Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) participation and other College Board training opportunities.
• Oversee AP-related budgets, stipends, professional development investments, and other program expenditures in collaboration with appropriate departments.
• Evaluate AP program effectiveness annually and develop recommendations for continuous improvement.

Advanced Coursework Integration & CCMR Alignment

• Collaborate with the CCMR team to ensure AP programming is aligned with KIPP Texas's broader postsecondary readiness strategy.
• Support the development and implementation of a standardized advanced coursework framework that helps campuses understand and appropriately integrate AP, dual credit, and OnRamps opportunities.
• Partner with the CCMR team and campus leaders to ensure students have access to advanced coursework that supports college readiness, postsecondary preparation, and CCMR attainment.
• Support campus implementation of dual credit and OnRamps programming through academic planning, course sequencing, scheduling considerations, and alignment with AP offerings.
• Ensure AP course recommendations and student placement practices consider individual student readiness, graduation requirements, academic goals, and postsecondary plans.
• Participate in the implementation of organizational strategies that expand students' opportunities to earn college credit while in high school.

Campus Implementation, Support & Accountability

• Establish clear expectations and implementation guidance for school leaders and campus staff responsible for advanced academic programming.
• Provide ongoing support to campus leaders, AP Coordinators, and teachers to ensure consistent implementation of AP programming.
• Partner with school leaders and campus academic teams to address barriers to AP participation, instructional quality, and student achievement.
• Develop tools, resources, implementation guides, and professional learning opportunities that support campus-level execution.
• Establish a consistent cadence for monitoring campus implementation, reviewing progress, and addressing programmatic challenges.
• Conduct campus visits and engage directly with school leaders and educators to evaluate program implementation and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide timely communication regarding program expectations, College Board requirements, critical deadlines, and organizational priorities.
• Develop and monitor systems for identifying campuses or student populations requiring additional support.

Data Analysis, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and maintain systems for monitoring advanced academic enrollment, course participation, student performance, and AP exam outcomes.
• Analyze campus-level and organization-wide AP data to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Establish measurable annual goals for AP participation, exam completion, and student performance.
• Partner with the CCMR team to monitor the contribution of advanced academic coursework to organizational CCMR outcomes.
• Conduct regular data reviews with campus leaders and relevant academic teams to monitor progress toward established goals.
• Use data to identify disparities in access and outcomes among student populations and develop strategies to address those gaps.
• Prepare regular updates and reports for academic leadership regarding program performance, implementation progress, and strategic priorities.
• Use program evaluation findings to inform future planning, resource allocation, and continuous improvement efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with school leaders, AP Coordinators, teachers, academic leadership, and external partners.
• Serve as the primary organizational point of contact for AP-related external partnerships.
• Collaborate with the CCMR team to ensure alignment between advanced academics and broader college and career readiness initiatives.
• Partner with campus staff to support student course planning and advanced academic participation.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum and instruction teams to ensure AP courses are supported by strong instructional practices and appropriate academic resources.
• Communicate program expectations, updates, and strategic priorities clearly and consistently across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in K-12 education.
• Demonstrated experience leading advanced academic programming, preferably at the district or network level.
• Significant experience with Advanced Placement programming, including AP course implementation, teacher support, College Board requirements, and exam administration.
• Experience developing and implementing organizational systems, strategic initiatives, and program improvement plans.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams, influencing stakeholders, and supporting campus-level implementation.
• Experience using academic data to evaluate program effectiveness and drive measurable improvements.

COMPETENCY AND SKILLS: Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of Advanced Placement (AP) programming, College Board policies, and requirements.
• Deep knowledge of dual credit, OnRamps, and other college-level coursework opportunities available to high school students.
• Clear understanding of Texas high school graduation requirements, college readiness indicators, and CCMR accountability measures.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze complex data, interpret policy and procedures, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to synthesize knowledge and present it to stakeholders comprehensively.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build relationships, and manage competing priorities across departments.
• Strong commitment to educational equity and expanding access to rigorous academic opportunities for all students.
• Independent self-starter; highly responsive with consistent follow-up; passionate attitude toward student development; proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and standard office technology.

Leadership Competencies

• Translates organizational priorities into actionable strategies and sustainable systems.
• Establishes measurable goals, monitors progress, and drives continuous improvement.
• Understands the conditions necessary for high-quality advanced academic instruction and student achievement.
• Builds strong partnerships across departments and campuses to accomplish shared goals.
• Develops clear processes, systems, and accountability structures to ensure consistent implementation.
• Champions equitable access to advanced academic opportunities and works to eliminate barriers to student participation and success.
• Leads programmatic improvement and responds effectively to evolving organizational priorities.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.

Additional Requirements

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment

Hybrid work - Reports to the central office or schools three days a week

Travel Requirements

Minimal travel: May travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning, meetings and other work related activities.

KIPP

Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.

What We Bring to the Table

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.
• KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.