Director of Student Experience

Wonderful College Prep Academy is a charter network in California's Central Valley committed to providing a world-class education for all students. The Academy's mission is to graduate students prepared to earn a college degree and to put them on a promising career path for life. We believe this begins with a nurturing, engaging, community-centered school environment where students develop a strong and well-rounded academic foundation. Ultimately, this will prepare generations of leaders in the Central Valley who are critical thinkers and life-long learners.

The Academy's first school opened in Delano in 2009, serving students from across the Central Valley in grades 6-12. In 2016, we moved to our new, state-of-the-art college prep campus in Delano, and in the Fall of 2017, added an elementary school in Delano and opened a second charter school in Lost Hills. In Delano, we serve over 1,800 students in grades TK-12, while in Lost Hills, we serve over 400 students in grades TK-12. 

Our students have access to technology in all grades, from hands-on STEM learning for younger students in a fully equipped "maker's space" to school-provided laptops for older students. The Academy aims to provide every opportunity for our students that often is not found in public or charter schools, including the ability to graduate from high school with a free Associate Degree. Through a unique partnership with Bakersfield College, our students enroll in college classes starting in 9th grade and complete all their A-G requirements, in addition to their AS Degree requirements over the course of four years. In addition, all graduates are eligible to earn a four-year renewable college scholarship through the generous support of Lynda and Stewart Resnick.

We seek thoughtful, inclusive, skilled communicators, and creative problem-solvers who value continuous learning and who are excited to serve our students and families. Now is the time to join a team making enduring change within the Central Valley of California and beyond! 

Under the direction of the Chief Academic Officer, the Director of Student Experience is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and coordinating the overall structure of the Academy’s expanded learning opportunities, including all summer school, intersession, and after-school programming in compliance with state/federal regulations and policies. The role is responsible for supporting the organizational effort to develop innovative expanded learning opportunities for students outside of school day hours, including before and after school as well as intersession (non-academic calendar days). This role may also grow into overseeing additional enrichment programming such as Gear-Up.

Essential Job Functions:  

• Partner with the CAO and the Curriculum and Instruction team to develop and implement teacher training related to content standards and core curriculum based on data-driven processes and the unique needs of summer school and expanded learning.
• Participate in the development of goals and objectives for assigned expanded learning personnel and programs in support of educating students at a high level to achieve their personal best.
• Make recommendations for programmatic enhancements and improvements as needed and implement approved changes monitoring activities and data to ensure effectiveness.  
• Work closely with key department administrators to develop and prepare curriculum materials for intercessions. 
• Meet with principals, administrators, parents, and other key network departments to identify priorities, plan and implement programs, and evaluate the quality of instruction designed to meet the needs of all students. 
• Oversee the preparation and distribution of summer school and expanded learning applications and supervise key program leaders.
• Manage reading interventionist, develop reading intervention program, and oversee progress monitoring.
• Oversee and support elementary SGIs in providing phonics and early reading development.
• Support school-based leaders in instructional coaching support through planning, professional development and observations and feedback cycles
• Collaborate with school leaders in reading instruction at the secondary level for language development; support school leaders in the structure of reading interventions.  
• Coordinate with the Academic and Student Support teams to identify key barriers to close opportunity gaps between and among diverse student populations through teaming, planning, and implementation.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Programming and Partnerships to coordinate community engagement activities and external partnerships to develop and maintain strong community connections.
• Establish focused expanded learning project teams and provide leadership for curriculum development activities in assigned segments and/or focus areas.
• Participate in the development and coordination of activities related to experimental and pilot programs designed to improve instruction for both intercession and expanded learning opportunities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Student Support team to implement enrichments during summer, winter, and expanded day activities.
• Coordinate events and authorize and review expenditures for events and programs to assist in ensuring appropriate usage of restricted funds.  
• Maintain professional competence through participation in professional development as provided by network, state, consultants, or self-selected professional growth organizations. 
• In partnership with HR, oversee interviews and evaluations, as needed, for expanded learning staff. 
• Maintain regular site visits to assess program and safety implementation, program delivery and implement procedures that will improve services to students in both the Delano and Lost Hills campuses
• Implement instructional learning activities for the purpose of improving students’ academic, physical, and social skills. 
• Collaborate with site administration on facilities, school safety, student issues, and concerns 
• Work in the position of site and/or activity lead in the event that no substitute staff member has been secured. 
• Conduct and facilitate professional development for all program staff and provide onsite-coaching support to all staff. 
• Monitor expanded learning program to ensure all required program components: academic support, physical activity and enrichment activities are in alignment with WCPA quality standards. 
• Attend any training offered by WCPA, CDE or the grant administration, as directed.
• Other duties as assigned in alignment with expanded learning opportunities programming.

• A BA/BS from a recognized college or university, preferably with a major in a related field.
• Minimum of five years of school experience. 
• Three years of management experience in at least two of the following areas: education, after-school programs, community schools, compliance, fiscal management or other related areas in a public organization.

Skills/Traits:

• Passion for working with traditionally underserved communities in high performance settings.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with students, families, and staff of diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds. 
• Ability to fluently speak Spanish, preferred.  
• Strong execution and leadership abilities including inspirational vision, conflict management, team building, mentoring and coaching, goal-setting, prioritization and strategic planning.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, orally and in writing.
• Organized and self-managed, able to handle many responsibilities simultaneously.
• Excellent problem-solver.
• Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Self-reflective leader who is committed to ongoing learning and growth.
• Dependable and excellent at follow-through.
• Commitment to our organization's mission and educational philosophy.

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Office environment; fast paced work, constant interruptions.
• Physical requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information, make presentations and communicate over the telephone; seeing to read, prepare, and proofread documents and view computer monitors; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects; ability to go to sites apart from primary office to conduct business.  

Pay Range: $115,000 - $130,000. Final compensation will be dependent upon skills & experience.

• Wonderful College Prep Academy offers highly competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, which includes generous performance bonuses.
• Full-time staff benefits include medical coverage, dental, vision, and life insurance at no cost to the employee. We also offer an optional 403b, with company match, as a supplement to STRS retirement pension.
• In addition, employees have free access to the Wonderful Wellness Center and gym.

Quality of Life in the Central Valley:

Framed by the Sierra Nevada to the east and the Coast Ranges to the west, California's Central Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural regions and the base of The Wonderful Company's agricultural operations. This vast area enjoys a moderate climate and offers residents a high quality of life, low cost of living, and a host of diverse cultural and recreational activities. From wine tasting and hiking to rafting, fishing, skiing, and surfing -- all within a two-hour drive -- the family-friendly Central Valley has much to offer.

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