The operations lead (assistant principal of operations, director of operations) leads implementation and maintenance of clear operational systems while building a data-driven, service-oriented culture.
See the High School Operations Handbook for additional guidance specific to High School Operations.
Launch
July: Before students return to school
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Execute communications plan for all returning families to confirm first day of school attendance, update contact information, and relay relevant school updates (Reducing No-Shows Playbook)
- (High school only) Partner with KIPP Forward on Nudge for Match opt-ins to create a set of operational touchpoints. Support in ensuring 100% opt-in to KIPP Forward Nudge texts for 11th grade students
- Finalize student attendance protocol and attendance escalation matrix
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Ensure facility and building readiness for first day of school; conduct safety walkthrough, and finalize safety response protocols
Drive Professional Development (PD):
- Execute operations-specific PD for staff during summer PD
Provide Operations Team Coaching and Management:
- Onboard new hires and ensure familiarity with school-based systems, including instructional systems
Provide Instructional Support to Staff and Students:
- Distribute and assign staff/student technology
- Finalize student schedules based on student academic data, relevant assessment data, and recommendations from instructional team (including specific support for diverse learners)
- Plan beginning of the year events (Back to School Night, Senior Night, etc.)
Strong Start
August-September: When students return to school
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Verify accurate enrollment and attendance, especially during first week of school
Build and Manage Assessment Systems:
- Create systems for student attendance during assessment days, makeup exam protocols, and ensure school is on target to submit relevant accommodations for students
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Assess arrival, breakfast, lunch, dismissal, and transportation systems
- Execute safety drills (fire drill, tornado drill, etc.) and assess areas of need
Provide Instructional Support to Staff and Students:
- Develop inclement weather protocol for potential school cancellations and delayed starts
- Ensure teacher coverage is in place and that system works with fidelity
Rigor I
October–December: Ratio, Lift, & Monitoring
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Plan and execute parent engagement opportunities and events (parent teacher conferences, report card nights, etc.)
Build and Manage Assessment Systems:
- Lead schoolwide testing plan, create alternate schedules to accommodate exams and testing coverage schedule when appropriate
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Create school building plan for extended time off (fall break, winter break, spring break)
- Review and submit budget for subsequent school year
Provide Operations Team Coaching and Management:
- Conduct mid-year evaluations for all direct reports
- Review Operations Team chessboard based on mid-year conversations
- Refine hiring systems (interview, performance tasks) in preparation for filling potentially vacant roles and coordinate with regional human resources team
Rigor II
January–March: Monitoring and Response to Data
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Convert current applications into new student enrollment and collect current student intent-to-return forms
- With lead K/5th-/6th-/9th-grade teacher and principal, execute visitation plan for open grade-level enrollment
- Begin end-of-year event planning (awards assembly, graduation, etc.)
- Execute plan for chronically absent students
Build and Manage Assessment Systems:
- Plan to ensure families receive proper communication ahead of required testing
- Incorporate feedback and student data for mock exams and required testing
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Review current budget and progress toward target
- Ensure student grades are accurately stored
Strong Finish
March–Early May
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Support Dean of Culture with new family onboarding (especially in K/5th-/6th-/9th-grades) and execute plan for retaining current students
Build and Manage Assessment Systems:
- Lead schoolwide testing plan; create alternate schedules to accommodate exams and testing coverage schedule when appropriate
- Submit testing materials to appropriate entity (e.g., state testing department, College Board) before submission deadlines
Provide Operations Team Coaching and Management:
- Conduct hiring interviews; involve key stakeholders in hiring process
- Refine system for onboarding and offboarding operations team members
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Complete furniture, supplies, and technology inventory for building; place orders for subsequent school year
Plan
May-June
Build and Manage Attendance and Enrollment Systems:
- Follow up with new KIPP families pending registration completion
- Plan summer family engagement (welcome calls, events)
Provide Operations Team Coaching and Management:
- Facilitate end-of-year operations review and conduct end-of-year (EOY) evaluations for all direct reports
Provide Instructional Support to Staff and Students:
- Finalize student report cards and store student data (gradebooks, credits, promotion/retention)
- Create campus operating calendar for academic school year. Should include major events, assessment dates, holidays, etc., and should include major input from key stakeholders such as the principal, KIPP Forward team, athletic coordinator, etc.
- Ensure staff has completed all items for EOY checkout, collect supplies and staff/student technology
Ensure Campus Readiness and Safety:
- Ensure campus readiness for summer school and system for accurate student attendance
- Conduct building check to assess campus repairs, ensure completion before teachers return to school
Drive Professional Development (PD):
- Assign owners to operations PD sessions, provide feedback on session writing and execute rehearsals