Senior 10th Grade Success & Data Coach
19 hours ago
Philadelphia
Who We Are: Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) For more than 55 years, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) has connected young people in Philadelphia to real pathways for postsecondary success, career mobility, and economic opportunity. Founded in 1969, PAI partners with schools, employers, labor unions, higher education institutions, and the School District of Philadelphia to ensure students—particularly Black and Brown students across the city—have access to career-connected learning experiences that change life trajectories. Under new executive leadership, PAI has entered a significant period of growth and transformation. The organization has expanded its footprint to its largest in history, strengthened its financial position, launched five registered pre-apprenticeship pathways, and deepened its role as a citywide leader in workforce development and student success. Today, PAI is proud to be: • The only youth-serving organization in Pennsylvania operating five registered pre-apprenticeship programs for in-school high school students, • Leading Philadelphia’s nationally recognized 9th Grade Success Network, • A growing force in middle grades career-connected learning and early pathway development, • A trusted intermediary between schools, industry, labor, philanthropy, and government This is a moment of momentum. We are building the next generation of career-connected learning systems and professional learning opportunities in Philadelphia—and we are looking for leaders ready to help shape that future. Background For more than seven years, PAI’s 9th Grade Success Network has helped participating schools increase 9th Grade On-Track rates by 10 percentage points on average, with even greater gains for Black male and Latino male students. Through research-based practices centered on data utilization, teaming structures, and targeted interventions, PAI has helped schools build stronger systems to support student success in the critical transition to high school. However, recent research shows that one in five On-Track ninth graders in the School District of Philadelphia falls Off-Track for graduation during tenth grade, while fewer than 9% of Off-Track ninth graders recover to become On-Track in tenth grade. While it is natural for some supports to lessen as students gain confidence and independence, school leaders, teachers, and students consistently report that the shift from 9th to 10th grade often feels less like a gradual step-down and more like a cliff. In response, PAI and the School District of Philadelphia are reimagining the transition to high school as a two-year arc rather than a single-year intervention. Through a new 10th Grade Success Network, PAI will partner with five pilot schools, all current members of the 9th Grade Success Network, to strengthen systems that help students sustain credit attainment and/or recover missed credits during sophomore year. Drawing on the proven practices of PAI’s 12 Key Practices while co-creating new approaches tailored to 10th grade, this initiative will help define what effective 10th grade support looks like, identify strategies that improve 10th Grade On-Track rates, and inform broader districtwide efforts to increase high school graduation rates and long-term student success. Position: Senior 10th Grade Success & Data Coach (Full-Time) The Senior 10th Grade Success & Data Coach will serve as a key implementation leader and strategic thought partner in implementing and strengthening PAI’s new 10th Grade Success Network, while partnering closely with network leadership to inform the ongoing refinement of systems, strategies, and supports. This individual will provide coaching and technical assistance to five partner schools as they work to improve 10th Grade On-Track outcomes through strategic data use, effective intervention systems, and continuous improvement practices. In addition to directly coaching school leaders, the Senior Coach will collaborate closely with the Director of the 9th Grade Success Network and other team members to design and facilitate Network-wide Community of Practice meetings and professional learning experiences for 10th grade leaders and teacher teams. Drawing on prior experience, emerging insights, and real-time school-based learning, this individual will contribute actionable recommendations and strategic insights that help strengthen network effectiveness, refine school supports, and maximize the impact of this innovative initiative. The Senior 10th Grade Success & Data Coach reports directly to the Director of the 9th Grade Success Network. The ideal candidate for this position will have experience working in public schools and facilitating teacher meetings or professional development sessions; have familiarity with the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) framework; have experience with Microsoft Excel, tracking and monitoring systems, and data-driven decision making; and have strong written and interpersonal communications skills. As a Senior Coach, this person should demonstrate strong implementation leadership, strategic thinking, and a track record of innovation, collaboration, and successful execution. The ideal candidate will be skilled at translating school-based insights into actionable recommendations that strengthen broader systems and supports. This is an excellent opportunity for an established professional who is interested in leveraging prior experiences in K-12 education to help lead innovative new work and have a systems-level impact. Key Responsibilities: Coaching • Coach 10th Grade Assistant Principals at 5 high schools via weekly coaching meetings centered on data utilization, effective team meetings, intervention tracking and monitoring systems, building distributed leadership, and continuous improvement methods in order to increase 10th Grade On-Track and Firmly On-Track rates at assigned schools, • Guide school leaders in regular reflection, practice analysis, and planning by looking at data dashboards and analyzing trend data in order to impact their thinking and planning; help leaders translate and communicate relevant data trends to their teams in a succinct way, • Attend all assigned schools’ 10th Grade Team meetings and offer support, suggestions, and coaching during and/or after meetings, • Lead quarterly data review and practice reflection meetings with assigned schools’ Assistant Principal and/or Principal Community of Practice & Professional Development design and leadership • Lead, with support, the design, planning, and execution of high-quality and engaging Network-level 10th Grade Community of Practice meetings for school leaders and teachers, including a full-day August session, • Lead and/or assist with planning and executing school-level professional development sessions for 10th grade teams Fostering Network-wide learning, continuous improvement, and best practices • Contribute strategic insights, best practices, and actionable recommendations that strengthen network structures, refine school supports, and inform the ongoing evolution of 10th grade success efforts, • Partner with the School District and external stakeholders as a strategic contributor, helping translate implementation insights into broader systems improvements, • Evaluate diverse school models and approaches to 10th grade team organization in order to inform stakeholders on effective strategies for 10th grade support, • Collect, synthesize, and share best practices across partner schools while supporting assigned schools in adapting and integrating successful strategies from across the Network Reporting & Organizational support • Document and track school progress toward their goals, including writing in-depth quarterly reports for the project funder and other key stakeholders, • Participation in all PAI “Signature Events” and fundraisers, as needed, • Other duties as assigned Additional Qualifications and Required Skills: • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred, • Experience with coaching and/or providing professional development for school-based practitioners or other professionals, • Multiple years of experience working in public schools is highly preferred (e.g., as a teacher, counselor, etc.), • Experience partnering with teachers and/or administrators in a professional manner to meet specific goals, • Familiarity with MTSS and implementing interventions for young people, • Passion for racial equity and a commitment to applying an equity lens to all aspects of your work, • Strong public speaking skills and experience facilitating meetings or trainings, • Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills, • Ability to analyze problems and communicate solutions in a clear and approachable way, • Able to work both independently and in a team, with strong collaboration skills, • Clear and professional written communication skills, • Reliable transportation or strong comfort level using Philadelphia public transit required; must be comfortable visiting School District of Philadelphia high schools in person on a regular basis Salary Range: The salary range for the Senior Coach begins at $70K, with full benefits package including but not limited to Health, Life Insurance, generous Paid Time Off, and 403b retirement plan. Expected start date: early to mid July 2026. To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume in the job posting on PAI’s website. Candidates who make it to the final round will be asked for three professional references and work samples