Now Hiring: Principal

Darlington Middle School

240-Day Administrative Position

Darlington County School District is seeking an exceptional, transformational leader to serve as Principal of one of our middle schools.

At the center of this role is a clear responsibility: preparing every student for success in high school and beyond.

Middle school is the bridge. It is where foundational skills are strengthened, expectations rise, and students begin to define their path. This role requires a leader who will set a high bar, align systems to that expectation, and ensure every classroom delivers results for students.

This is not about maintaining the status quo. This is about leading for excellence.

Excellence in Teaching & Learning for Each Child, Every Day

What This Leader Will Do

Lead for Student Success

• Ensure students build strong literacy and numeracy skills while increasing readiness for high school coursework
• Drive measurable gains in student achievement and growth across all grade levels
• Implement rigorous, standards-aligned instruction in every classroom
• Lead the effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) aligned to district priorities
• Build systems of support that respond early, consistently, and effectively
• Reduce chronic absenteeism and increase student engagement

Build and Support Strong Teams

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality educators
• Set clear expectations for instructional excellence in every classroom
• Provide direct, actionable feedback that strengthens teaching and learning
• Lead focused, data-driven professional learning aligned to student needs
• Build a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement

Strengthen Student Experience and Culture

• Establish a safe, structured, and student-centered learning environment

• Set and reinforce clear expectations for behavior, attendance, and academic effort

• Build systems that support adolescent learners, including engagement, motivation, and positive peer interactions

• Support athletics, arts, and extracurricular programs that strengthen connection to school

Partner with Families and Community

• Engage families as active partners in student success
• Communicate clearly and consistently about progress and expectations
• Build trust through strong relationships and responsiveness
• Strengthen partnerships that support student well-being and academic success
• Student success in middle school requires strong alignment between school and home.

Steward Resources with Integrity

• Align staffing, scheduling, and resources to academic priorities
• Maintain safe, structured, and well-managed school operations
• Ensure compliance with district, state, and federal expectations

Who We’re Seeking

We are seeking a leader who:

• Believes excellence is the standard and builds systems that deliver it
• Sees middle school as a critical bridge to high school success—and leads accordingly
• Demonstrates a proven record of improving student achievement and growth
• Understands the importance of strong instruction, clear expectations, and consistent systems
• Leads with clarity, courage, and purpose
• Builds trust with students, staff, and families
• Translates vision into disciplined, measurable results

Qualifications

• South Carolina Secondary Principal Certification
• Master’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum five (5) years successful teaching and/or school leadership experience
• Successful experience as a high school principal preferred
• Demonstrated record of improving academic performance and school culture
  
  

About Darlington County School District

In the Darlington County School District, we believe in challenging our students and pushing their boundaries through classroom and life experiences, rigorous standards, and innovative teaching. The DCSD is a countywide district serving more than 9,000 students in 22 schools and programs. All schools and the district are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools/AdvancED and the S.C. Department of Education. In addition to regular classes, DCSD offers a variety of educational opportunities to challenge our students. Specialized programs include a countywide magnet STEM high school, a countywide Career and Technology Education Center, a K-12 virtual academy, an elementary Montessori program, a Biomedical program, an Early College program, an International Baccalaureate program, Adult Education, and more. For students who struggle academically, our district offers interventionists and computer- assisted learning. Darlington County School District is committed to providing a technology-rich education by providing a fully connected educational environment with a one-to-one student/device ratio for all students, K-12. Our evolving initiative to create a...nd maintain a common curriculum, resources, and assessments in all of our schools continues to prove effective. Additionally, our Professional Learning Communities enable educators to work collaboratively to study assessment data and teaching strategies in order to employ best practices. We believe that exceptional teachers are vital to a student’s success, and DCSD is working to invest in our educators and their environments. Our students are the future, and we must do everything we can to strengthen their pathways to success. We work hand-in-hand with our Board of Education in this mission, and together we are building a world-class education system by focusing on the needs of every child, every day. In the Darlington County School District, we nurture and empower students and staff to successfully utilize their skills and knowledge, while fostering relationships for personal and professional success. The Darlington County School District: Excellence in Teaching and Learning for All.

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Connections working at Darlington County School District