New designation is top tier principal level
FLORIDA (Jan. 29, 2018) – Gary Springer, principal of Coral Springs Charter School and Denise Thompson, principal of Four Corners Charter School have been honored as principal fellows, the highest tier that can be achieved by a principal at Charter Schools USA-managed schools. Known for its innovative career-track practices, Charter Schools USA has raised the bar on its principals’ abilities to advance in the organization. Previously, a typical career track consisted of traditional advancement from teacher to assistant principal to principal and regional director or corporate support center staff. After studying this progression plan, the organization’s education council determined that principals sometimes felt like they had no additional room to advance or improve if they wanted to remain at their schools. In response, they created a tiered approach to principal leadership.
A principal fellow, in addition to the traditional duties and responsibilities expected from a principal, serves as a CSUSA ambassador at events and provides support to peers in other schools regionally and system-wide. A principal fellow must have a minimum of seven years’ experience and have proven leadership ability. Selection is based on several factors including demonstrating four years of: growth on state assessments; progressive graduation rates and ACT/SAT scores; student recommit rate at 95 percent; and staff retention rate of 85 percent. Principal fellows must also demonstrate the ability to meet budgeted target enrollment goals and consistently score well on CSUSA staff/parent survey results.
Once honored as a principal fellow, candidates will receive additional financial bonuses and will act as a CSUSA ambassador at specific events.
CSUSA, the first education management company to receive corporation system-wide accreditation through AdvancED, is one of the nation’s leading charter school management companies. CSUSA currently manages 84 schools in seven states serving more than 70,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. CSUSA innovative educational advantages include advanced technology, meaningful parental involvement, student uniforms, consistent and fairly-enforced discipline policies, highly qualified and motivated staff, community focus, integrated character education and high academic growth and performance.