Orange County Founding Fellows

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. And it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

Position Description

Rocketship is opening a new region in Orange County, CA for the 2027-2028  school year. We are hiring outstanding Founding Fellows to join us in the Summer of 2025  in one of our existing regions to help us prepare to launch our new Southern California region ideally in August 2027 and over the next two years immerse themselves in our Rocketship team and culture while mastering facets of our school model. Founding Fellows will serve in an Assistant Principal (AP) capacity in an existing Rocketship school in 2025-2026 before serving as a founding member of our inaugural school in Orange County, CA  in 2027-2028.

Our educators and operations specialists, teachers, school leaders, and network support team (NeST) are united in our mission to eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime. School leaders and teachers are the backbone of Rocketship's impact model.  During the 2025-26 school year, Founding Fellows will work in an existing Rocketship California school.  Founding Fellows will join our team as Assistant Principals (APs)  immediately entering our Rising Leaders program and the opportunity to  apply for the Diversity in Leadership Institute. APs are charged with driving academic achievement for our Rocketeers while building deep family relationships to fuel a rigorous college preparatory school culture.

Every AP at Rocketship works closely with their Principal to lead and implement the instructional vision for one to three grade levels. APs manage and coach teachers in their grade levels by leading data analysis cycles, regularly observing classrooms, providing continuous feedback, and co-planning units of study and lesson plans aimed at increasing educator effectiveness and leadership. APs also serve as cultural and community leaders by building teacher capacity in culture, behavior, and parent engagement. Founding Fellows will become deeply immersed in the Rocketship model as APs in order to catalyze a successful launch of the inaugural Rocketship school in Southern California in 2027-2028.

Rocketship campuses are supported by a school leadership team that includes the Principal, an Assistant Principal, a Business Operations Manager, and an Office Manager. The school leadership team is responsible for professional development, culture and behavior in common spaces, and special events. Together, they lead a team of teachers, tutors, enrichment coordinators, and support staff who collectively deliver gap-closing, personalized instruction to students from TK to fifth grade.

As a school leader at Rocketship,  you will receive ongoing professional development in conducting rigorous observations, providing meaningful feedback, and executing useful planning and analysis.  Additionally, Founding Fellows will serve as thought leaders in our planning for our opening year in Orange County, CA and serve as critical members of the team on the ground in the year the school opens.

Our Ideal Candidate

Believes that adult preparation is essential to student success. Has a desire to become an elementary content expert and is eager to use that knowledge to develop teachers who demonstrate excellence in their planning and execution of lessons. Understands that eliminating the achievement gap is hard work but deeply rewarding and within their control. Has a deep commitment to expanding  educational opportunities for students in Orange County, CA

The salary range for this position starts at $102,000

• Developing Effective Educators:

• Teaching:

• Rocketship Professional Culture: 

• Required Qualifications:

• Education Requirements

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and welfare benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.