▶  The Relentless Instructional Driver

A school leader who treats college readiness as the non-negotiable center of every decision. They have a proven track record of moving high school scholars to mastery - reflected in graduation rates, ACT scores, and postsecondary enrollment. They are fluent in college-preparatory curriculum and dual enrollment systems, and they use data as a daily leadership tool, not a reporting exercise. When achievement gaps persist, they go after them.

▶  The Systems Builder

A leader who understands that a high school's culture of achievement is a product of tight, well-executed infrastructure - not personality alone. They design clear routines, manage complex scheduling (including dual enrollment logistics), hold the line on them daily, and ensure every adult knows what excellence looks and feels like at each moment of the school day.

▶  The Culture Keeper

A leader for whom school culture is never an accident. They build warm, purposeful, high-expectation environments through visible presence and consistent follow-through. They know culture lives in arrival, dismissal, transitions, celebrations, and dual enrollment milestones - and they show up for all of it. They carry the "To and Through College" belief in everything they do.

▶  The People Architect

A developer of adults who understands Legacy's ceiling is set by the quality of its leadership team. They build and coach Assistant Principals, Deans, and instructional leaders with genuine investment, creating environments where feedback flows freely and people stay because they feel seen, developed, and part of something larger than themselves.

▶  The Grounded Owner

A leader who takes full accountability for outcomes without deflecting. When things get hard, they get calm. They model the growth mindset they expect from every adult and scholar on campus - because the scholars at Legacy deserve nothing less than a leader who owns the mission completely.

April 27 - May 1 - Application Open

May 20 - Priority Deadline

May 25 - 29 - Project Round

June 1 - 5- Semi-Finalists on Zoom

June 8 - 12 - Final Interview Week

June 15 - 19 - Offer & Negotiate Start

July 2026 - Start Date

Legacy Early College - Our Story & Vision

Legacy Early College is a K4–12 public charter school founded in 2010 through the vision of businessman William Brown, grounded in an unwavering commitment to “To and Through College” for every scholar. From its inception, Legacy has been designed differently-integrating rigorous academics, daily physical education, on-site nutrition, and a culture rooted in purpose, belonging, and high expectations.

Legacy exists to do more than prepare students for graduation. It exists to change life trajectories, to build leaders, and to serve as a cornerstone institution for Greenville and the surrounding Upstate region-one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.

The next High School Principal will lead the most critical chapter yet in that mission.

Position Summary 

The High School Principal serves as the instructional, cultural, and strategic leader of Legacy Early College High School. This role is designed for a proven, visionary school leader who is ready to shape something enduring-an exceptional high school experience that prepares scholars not only for college, but for leadership, purpose, and impact.

The Principal is responsible for ensuring that every scholar graduates truly college-ready, equipped with academic mastery, character, and confidence. As a core member of the senior leadership team, the Principal sets the direction for teaching and learning, builds and develops elite instructional teams, and ensures relentless alignment to Legacy’s mission and values.

This role carries both authority and responsibility. The Principal will have meaningful autonomy to design systems, develop people, and innovate-paired with clear expectations for results, growth, and excellence.

The High School Principal at Legacy Early College is not a maintenance role. This leader will help define what it means to attend-and graduate from-one of the most ambitious schools in the region and entire state of South Carolina.

This is an opportunity to:

• Lead a flagship high school in a fast-growing city and state

• Build a nationally compelling model for early college success

• Shape the futures of hundreds of young people each year

• Carry forward-and expand-the founding vision of Legacy

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Leadership & Academic Excellence

• Lead the school to exceptional academic outcomes, including graduation rates, GPA performance, ACT results, and postsecondary readiness

• Establish a culture of instructional excellence, using data to drive decisions, diagnose challenges, and implement timely, effective interventions

• Develop and support a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum aligned to Legacy’s academic and character goals

• Coach and develop instructional leaders and teachers through high-quality feedback, professional learning, and collaborative structures

• Conduct regular classroom observations and evaluations that result in measurable instructional improvement

• Ensure strong, responsive supports for diverse learners, including scholars with disabilities and English Language Learners

• Partner with the Provost to strengthen dual enrollment pathways, academic advising, and college preparation systems

• Collaborate on innovative scheduling models that support instruction, college coursework, and reliable transportation to partner campuses

School Culture & Climate

• Build and sustain a college-going, achievement-oriented culture where scholars feel challenged, supported, and inspired

• Lead consistent, mission-aligned implementation of behavior systems, restorative practices, and character development

• Model high expectations, professionalism, and continuous growth for staff and scholars alike

• Create inclusive systems and relationships that engage families, staff, and the broader community as partners in scholar success

Talent Development & Leadership Building

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing educators and leaders

• Build and manage a strong leadership team-including Assistant Principals, Deans, and instructional leaders-capable of driving sustained excellence

• Conduct meaningful evaluations and hold staff accountable to clear, mission-aligned expectations

• Invest deeply in adult learning and leadership development as a core strategy for student success

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Partner with central office leadership to ensure operational excellence, compliance, and responsible stewardship of resources

• Oversee scheduling, scholar services, extracurricular programs, and daily operations

• Ensure a safe, healthy, and well-maintained learning environment

• Use data strategically to set goals, monitor progress, and continuously improve systems across the school

Flagship Initiative: The Lion’s Den (Dual Enrollment Now)

The High School Principal will champion Legacy’s signature magnet program, The Lion’s Den (Dual Enrollment Now)-a transformative pathway that enables scholars to graduate high school with 60+ hours of transferable college credit, effectively earning an associate’s degree while still in high school. The Lion’s Den is more than a program. It is a statement of belief in what young people can achieve when expectations are high and support is real. 

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field

• Valid South Carolina Principal/Administrator certification (or eligibility for reciprocity)

• Minimum of four (4) years of successful teaching experience and at least two (2) years in a school leadership role (Assistant Principal or higher)

• Demonstrated success improving academic outcomes, particularly in underserved communities

• Strong instructional leadership, coaching, and data-analysis skills

• Knowledge of dual enrollment programming and postsecondary partnerships

• Deep alignment with Legacy Early College’s mission and values

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or related field

• Experience leading in a high-quality charter or college-preparatory environment

• Proven record of measurable gains in high school outcomes

• Experience with dual enrollment systems and college counseling

• Bilingual (Spanish/English)

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Comprehensive benefits package including state (PEBA) benefits: medical, dental, and vision

• Exceptional 401(k) retirement plan with generous employer match

• Access to on-site fitness center

• Relocation stipend (conditions apply)