CSDHS School Principal Pool ($104,519+)

Job Description

Dorchester County Public Schools is currently accepting applications for a School Principal at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School for the 2026-2027 school year. Cambridge-South Dorchester High School is the district's largest high school, serving over 700 students. The school has demonstrated steady progress in improving discipline, school climate, and student outcomes. While academic needs remain, the school is building momentum and is positioned to accelerate achievement and postsecondary readiness.

This school requires a strong, focused leader who can continue strengthening systems, build staff capacity, and lead with both urgency and consistency to move from improvement to sustained success. Under the supervision of the Superintendent, the Principal serves as the instructional leader, culture builder, and manager of school systems, ensuring high-quality teaching and learning while preparing students for college, career, and life success. The principal will:

• Lead a focused instructional program that improves student achievement and ensures strong Tier 1 instruction in every classroom.
  
• Increase graduation rates, on-track indicators, and post-secondary readiness.
  
• Maintain and strengthen a structured, safe, and student-centered school culture.
  
• Implement systems that effectively support students experiencing poverty, trauma, and other barriers.
  
• Oversee and expand college and career pathways, including CTE and dual enrollment.
  
• Use data to drive decision-making across academics, attendance, and behavior.
  
• Align all school efforts to the district's instructional framework and strategic plan.

Dorchester County Public Schools is actively implementing its strategic plan, Believe in Us: Achieving Our Potential Together, aligned to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future. This role offers an opportunity to lead meaningful, measurable changes in a high-impact setting.

This position is ideal for a leader who is ready to:

• Is ready to lead a large, high-needs high school with complexity and urgency.
  
• Can build on improving discipline and climate while accelerating academic outcomes.
  
• Understands that strong relationships, clear structures, and high expectations must exist together.
  
• Is motivated by results and committed to sustained improvement for all students.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Instructional Leadership & School Improvement

• Establish and communicate clear instructional priorities.
  
• Lead and monitor the School Improvement Plan.
  
• Ensure consistent implementation of high-quality instruction across all content areas.
  
• Use data to monitor progress and adjust strategies.

Student Support & School Culture

• Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.
  
• Implement and monitor MTSS to ensure timely and effective interventions.
  
• Set and uphold high expectations for student behavior, engagement, and achievement.

College & Career Readiness

• Support and strengthen CTE programs, dual enrollment, and workforce partnerships.
  
• Monitor graduation indicators including credit attainment and on-track status.
  
• Ensure students are prepared for post-secondary success.

Staff Development & Leadership

• Supervise, evaluate, and develop all staff.
  
• Provide consistent coaching and feedback to improve instruction.
  
• Build a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement.
  
• Lead hiring and retention of high-quality staff.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families.
  
• Communicate clearly and consistently with stakeholders.
  
• Develop partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and higher education.

Operations & Management

• Manage the school budget and allocate resources strategically.
  
• Ensure compliance with Board policies and state/federal regulations.
  
• Oversee safe and effective school operations and facility management.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eligible for and hold Maryland Administrator II Certification prior to appointment.
  
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful school-based administrative experience
  
• Minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience.
  
• Demonstrated success in:
  • Improving outcomes in a high-needs secondary school setting.

• • Increasing graduation rates and postsecondary readiness.
    
  • Leading school improvement efforts using data.

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Secondary school structures and scheduling.
    
  • College and career pathways (CTE, dual enrollment, workforce development).
    
  • Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).
    
  • Blueprint for Maryland's Future and DCPS strategic priorities.
  
  
• Proven ability to:
  • Build and lead effective teams.
    
  • Maintain high expectations while fostering positive relationships.
    
  • Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
    
  • Lead with urgency, resilience, and a focus on results.
  
  
• Strong financial and grant management skills.
  
• Ability to analyze and use data to improve programs and student outcomes.
  
• Ability to lead change and drive continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.
  
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work with multiple agencies.
  
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with precedents, rules, and regulations.
  
• Ability to apply Board policy to daily work decisions, exercise good judgment,
  courtesy, and tact in dealing with all stakeholders on the telephone, writing, and in person.
  
• Must be able to work independently on routine, complex and confidential tasks.
  
• Must maintain good attendance record and be willing to work outside of general
  working hours occasionally.

Please Note:

• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal candidates will be considered alongside external applicants, and only those whose qualifications most closely match the needs of the position will be contacted for an interview.

SALARY: This is a twelve (12) month, benefited position. This position is on the A-S VI High School Principal Lane of the Dorchester County Administrators' and Supervisors' Association Salary Scale. The current base salary range for this position is $104,519.00 - $132,585.00.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Apply online: https://dcps.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

Dorchester County, Maryland, with a population of 29,300, is the Eastern Shore's largest county with 593 square miles of land and 108 square miles of water. The Dorchester County Public School system provides the educational foundation for the county's children.

Highlights of the DCPS System are:

There are 12 schools: two high schools, a career and technology center, two middle schools, six elementary schools and a pre-kindergarten through 8th grade school.

There are approximately 5000 students in the district.

High schools offer a full College preparatory curriculum as well as options in occupational skills.

The Dorchester Career and Technology Center receives students from both high schools and offers programs in Culinary Arts , Masonry, Carpentry, Electricity, HVAC, Collision Repair and Refinishing, Welding, Agriculture, Medium and Heavy Truck, Auto Technology, Cosmetology, Homeland Security, Cisco Academy, Interactive Media Production, Teacher Academy and Medical Services.

IBM-compatible computers are used throughout the system in individual classrooms as well as strategically placed computer labs. There are courses in Technology Simulations, Keyboarding, Computer Applications, and Computerized Accounting.

Every classroom has access to the Microsoft Office Products as well as to the Internet.

The Dual Enrollment Program with Chesapeake College and University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers the opportunity for the students who wish to get started on their college credits.

Family Support Services Resource Center for Families and Schools is designed to support children with disabilities from birth to 21. The center provides the skills and knowledge to enable families and children to understand the Special Education process.