Assistant Principal & Curriculum Director (Special Education School)
Advancingmilestones, Waltham, MA, United States
Milestones Day School and Transitions Program is a year-round private special education school (elementary, middle, high school, & post high school) located in Waltham, MA and works with students with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, and a variety of attention and/or psychiatric challenges. We service students ranging in age from elementary grades through post high school, and our staff work in multi-disciplinary teams to support students in particular grade cohorts.
Position Overview
The Assistant Principal/Curriculum Director manages academic programming, instructional practices, and curriculum alignment, ensuring the delivery of exceptional educational experiences for students with diverse learning needs. This role partners with the Principal to ensure high-quality instruction within a therapeutic school environment, aligned with Common Core and Massachusetts frameworks.
Reporting directly to the Principal, this position oversees academic instruction across the school while supporting both staff development and school-wide systems.
As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee curriculum development and teaching staff supervision, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes growth, innovation, and excellence. Your energetic approach will inspire staff, engage families, and support students in reaching their full potential.
Key Responsibilities 1. Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development
Coaches and supports academic staff in curriculum, classroom management, instruction, and best practices; ensures alignment with school goals
Guides the academic team’s work and promotes high-quality instruction
Supports new teacher onboarding through curriculum planning, coaching, and in-classroom support throughout the year
Maintains compliance with teaching licensure requirements for all academic staff
Provides in-service training for teachers and school staff
Conducts and documents informal and formal observations/evaluations; annually and biannually evaluating teacher performance
Provides timely, actionable feedback and coaching to teachers
Models strong organizational practices (information systems, documentation, licensure tracking, etc.)
Stays current on innovative instructional practices and fosters a culture of shared ownership for student learning
Leads data-based inquiry to inform curriculum decisions
Promotes the integration of technology in teaching and learning
2. Curriculum & Academic Program Oversight
Oversees curriculum alignment with Common Core and Massachusetts frameworks
Leads curriculum planning and continuous improvement efforts
Reviews course offerings and course descriptions annually
Provides input in the development of cohort groupings (yearly)
Provides input in the development of student schedules (summer and fall)
Collaborates with the Principal, Special Education Administrator, and Case Managers on course offerings
Ensures high school students meet sending district graduation requirements
3. School Leadership & Operations
Serves as a member of the School-Based Leadership Team (SBLT)
Acts as an advisor and partner to teachers, leadership, and staff
Assists in daily school operations and serves as interim Principal when needed
Participates in school teams and committees (Leadership Team, SBLT, Admissions, PBIS Committee, etc.)
Supports MCAS testing logistics, including:
Ordering materials
Scheduling testing
Assigning proctors and rooms
Training proctors
Contributes to school-wide planning and decision-making, including:
Summer training schedules
Ongoing professional development
Daily class schedules and time-on-learning requirements
School calendar development
School events and programming
Tracks and manages academic resources (supplies, textbooks, online subscriptions & programs, equipment) in collaboration with relevant staff
4. Student Support & Admissions
Participates in the student admissions process
Reviews evaluations and provides academic insight and recommendations
Supports academic grouping decisions and placement
Collaborates with therapeutic staff and specialists to ensure implementation of Universal Practices and PBIS
Ensures alignment between academic and therapeutic programming
5. School Culture, Collaboration & DEI
Fosters a positive, collaborative school environment
Builds strong relationships among teachers, specialists, and staff
Creates opportunities for shared learning and collaboration
Supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in partnership with the DEI Committee and HR
Ensures cultural sensitivity and awareness in curriculum and instructional materials
6. Strategic Leadership & Initiative
Identifies areas of strength and improvement with a solutions-oriented mindset
Brings forward new ideas and supports implementation of improvements
Demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and strong follow-through
Implements plans assigned by the Principal with sound judgment
Assists in informed school decision-making
Performs additional duties as assigned by the Principal, HR Director, or Executive Leadership
Qualifications Education & Experience
Master’s Degree in Special Education or Education
Minimum 5–7 years of teaching experience (including special education)
Required: 2+ Related leadership and supervision experience
Preferred: 5-7+ years of closely related leadership and supervision experience
Licensure (Massachusetts)
Required: Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8) and/or (5–12) Licensure
Strongly Preferred: Professional Licensure, Principal/Assistant Principal Licensure (PreK–8 and/or 5–12)
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision Insurance
Approximately 7 weeks’ vacation (approximately 6 weeks when school is not in session and 5 days of your choice)
Other time off (10 holidays, 8 days of sick time, 2 days of personal time, birthday holiday bonus!)
Long term disability and life insurance
401k with discretionary company match
4 weeks paid maternity & 1 week paid paternity leave in addition to state PFML benefits
Discounts of 20% off on-campus tuition and 10% off online tuition at Regis College and Cambridge College
Paid professional development
Various discounts at local stores and various entertainment venues that Milestones partners with
No out-of-pocket expenses for materials
Employee referral bonus program
Job Type: Onsite, Full-time
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000 for minimum required qualifications, $105,000-$125,000 for preferred qualifications, advanced licensure, & 5-7+ years of AP/Principal/Curriculum Director experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Milestones Day School (Special Ed. School) is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
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Reporting directly to the Principal, this position oversees academic instruction across the school while supporting both staff development and school-wide systems.
As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee curriculum development and teaching staff supervision, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes growth, innovation, and excellence. Your energetic approach will inspire staff, engage families, and support students in reaching their full potential.
Key Responsibilities 1. Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development
Coaches and supports academic staff in curriculum, classroom management, instruction, and best practices; ensures alignment with school goals
Guides the academic team’s work and promotes high-quality instruction
Supports new teacher onboarding through curriculum planning, coaching, and in-classroom support throughout the year
Maintains compliance with teaching licensure requirements for all academic staff
Provides in-service training for teachers and school staff
Conducts and documents informal and formal observations/evaluations; annually and biannually evaluating teacher performance
Provides timely, actionable feedback and coaching to teachers
Models strong organizational practices (information systems, documentation, licensure tracking, etc.)
Stays current on innovative instructional practices and fosters a culture of shared ownership for student learning
Leads data-based inquiry to inform curriculum decisions
Promotes the integration of technology in teaching and learning
2. Curriculum & Academic Program Oversight
Oversees curriculum alignment with Common Core and Massachusetts frameworks
Leads curriculum planning and continuous improvement efforts
Reviews course offerings and course descriptions annually
Provides input in the development of cohort groupings (yearly)
Provides input in the development of student schedules (summer and fall)
Collaborates with the Principal, Special Education Administrator, and Case Managers on course offerings
Ensures high school students meet sending district graduation requirements
3. School Leadership & Operations
Serves as a member of the School-Based Leadership Team (SBLT)
Acts as an advisor and partner to teachers, leadership, and staff
Assists in daily school operations and serves as interim Principal when needed
Participates in school teams and committees (Leadership Team, SBLT, Admissions, PBIS Committee, etc.)
Supports MCAS testing logistics, including:
Ordering materials
Scheduling testing
Assigning proctors and rooms
Training proctors
Contributes to school-wide planning and decision-making, including:
Summer training schedules
Ongoing professional development
Daily class schedules and time-on-learning requirements
School calendar development
School events and programming
Tracks and manages academic resources (supplies, textbooks, online subscriptions & programs, equipment) in collaboration with relevant staff
4. Student Support & Admissions
Participates in the student admissions process
Reviews evaluations and provides academic insight and recommendations
Supports academic grouping decisions and placement
Collaborates with therapeutic staff and specialists to ensure implementation of Universal Practices and PBIS
Ensures alignment between academic and therapeutic programming
5. School Culture, Collaboration & DEI
Fosters a positive, collaborative school environment
Builds strong relationships among teachers, specialists, and staff
Creates opportunities for shared learning and collaboration
Supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in partnership with the DEI Committee and HR
Ensures cultural sensitivity and awareness in curriculum and instructional materials
6. Strategic Leadership & Initiative
Identifies areas of strength and improvement with a solutions-oriented mindset
Brings forward new ideas and supports implementation of improvements
Demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and strong follow-through
Implements plans assigned by the Principal with sound judgment
Assists in informed school decision-making
Performs additional duties as assigned by the Principal, HR Director, or Executive Leadership
Qualifications Education & Experience
Master’s Degree in Special Education or Education
Minimum 5–7 years of teaching experience (including special education)
Required: 2+ Related leadership and supervision experience
Preferred: 5-7+ years of closely related leadership and supervision experience
Licensure (Massachusetts)
Required: Moderate Disabilities (PreK–8) and/or (5–12) Licensure
Strongly Preferred: Professional Licensure, Principal/Assistant Principal Licensure (PreK–8 and/or 5–12)
Benefits
Health, dental, and vision Insurance
Approximately 7 weeks’ vacation (approximately 6 weeks when school is not in session and 5 days of your choice)
Other time off (10 holidays, 8 days of sick time, 2 days of personal time, birthday holiday bonus!)
Long term disability and life insurance
401k with discretionary company match
4 weeks paid maternity & 1 week paid paternity leave in addition to state PFML benefits
Discounts of 20% off on-campus tuition and 10% off online tuition at Regis College and Cambridge College
Paid professional development
Various discounts at local stores and various entertainment venues that Milestones partners with
No out-of-pocket expenses for materials
Employee referral bonus program
Job Type: Onsite, Full-time
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000 for minimum required qualifications, $105,000-$125,000 for preferred qualifications, advanced licensure, & 5-7+ years of AP/Principal/Curriculum Director experience.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Milestones Day School (Special Ed. School) is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
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