PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY
full-time•Denver
About this role
Applications will be received until February 13, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.
About this job:
A principal leads and manages a school, overseeing educational programs, staff, budgets, and student discipline. They ensure a safe, effective learning environment and foster strong community relationships to enhance student success.
**The Principal must demonstrate a willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement. This role requires maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding all District matters, especially those involving the Superintendent, Chief of Staff, and the Board of Education. Ensuring trust and discretion is paramount to the success and integrity of this position.
What DPS Offers You:
- A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
- Competitive Compensation and Incentive plan, click here for the DSLA Salary Schedule. For more information on compensation for these roles, click here.
- In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.
What You'll Do:
- Lead a staff of administrative, certificated and classified personnel assigned to the school.
- Develop plans that improve the quality and adequacy of instruction, and foster student achievement, growth and development.
- Research and demonstrate an understanding of, and communicate the education-based aims and needs of the community to school staff and central administration.
- Supervise certificated and classified staff and ensures for: professional growth and development, attainment of district and building instructional goals, implementation of curriculum, and effective use of all staff-based and facility based resources.
- Plan, prepare and administer the school budget, including the translation of educational needs, goals and objectives into budgetary terms.
- Perform other related duties, including special projects, as required or requested.
What You’ll Need:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree in education or in the subject areas for which you are applying.
- Hold a Master’s Degree in Elementary/Secondary Education, Administration, Curriculum, Instruction or Guidance, preferred.
- Hold a valid Colorado Department of Education Principal License (Must be current and active while in the position). Click here for more information.
- Five (5) or more years of experience as an educator. Demonstrated effective and diplomatic oral and written communication skills.
- Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
- Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
- Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.
DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
Other facts
Tech stack
Leadership,Communication,Budget Management,Staff Supervision,Instructional Improvement,Community Engagement,Confidentiality,Equity,Collaboration,Professional Development,Curriculum Implementation,Student Achievement,Educational Administration,Problem Solving,Diplomacy,Trust
About Denver Public Schools
The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society.
In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon.
In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs.
Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future.
View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/
Team size: 10,001+ employees
Website: https://www.dpsk12.org
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Primary and Secondary Education
Founding Year: 1902
What you'll do
- The principal leads and manages the school, overseeing educational programs, staff, budgets, and student discipline. They ensure a safe learning environment and foster community relationships to enhance student success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY do at Denver Public Schools?
As a PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY at Denver Public Schools, you will: the principal leads and manages the school, overseeing educational programs, staff, budgets, and student discipline. They ensure a safe learning environment and foster community relationships to enhance student success..
Why join Denver Public Schools as a PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY?
Denver Public Schools is a leading Primary and Secondary Education company.
Is the PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY position at Denver Public Schools remote?
The PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY position at Denver Public Schools is based in Denver, Colorado, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY position at Denver Public Schools?
You can apply for the PRINCIPAL, ELEMENTARY position at Denver Public Schools directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Denver Public Schools on their website.