9th Grade Success & Data Coach

Are you interested in supporting Assistant Principals and teacher teams in using data effectively to help ninth-graders succeed? Are you a problem-solver who is strong at building relationships and passionate about increasing outcomes for Philadelphia students? Are you open to applying your skills in data analysis, leadership coaching, and professional development? Philadelphia Academies, Inc. is looking for a passionate professional to partner with school leaders to increase 9th-grade On-Track rates and improve long-term student success. 

Who We Are: Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI)

For more than 55 years, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. (PAI) has connected young people in Philadelphia to real pathways for postsecondary success, career mobility, and economic opportunity. Founded in 1969, PAI partners with schools, employers, labor unions, higher education institutions, and the School District of Philadelphia to ensure students—particularly Black and Brown students across the city—have access to career-connected learning experiences that change life trajectories. Under new executive leadership, PAI has entered a significant period of growth and transformation. The organization has expanded its footprint to its largest in history, strengthened its financial position, launched five registered pre-apprenticeship pathways, and deepened its role as a citywide leader in workforce development and student success. Today, PAI is proud to be:

• The only youth-serving organization in Pennsylvania operating five registered pre-apprenticeship programs for in-school high school students
• Leading Philadelphia’s nationally recognized 9th Grade Success Network
• A growing force in middle grades career-connected learning and early pathway development
• A trusted intermediary between schools, industry, labor, philanthropy, and government

This is a moment of momentum. We are building the next generation of career-connected learning systems and professional learning opportunities in Philadelphia—and we are looking for leaders ready to help shape that future.

Background

Since 2018, Philadelphia Academies, Inc. has led the 9th Grade Success Network (9GSN), a citywide initiative that partners with schools to increase 9th-grade On-Track rates through professional development, leadership coaching, technical assistance, and data-driven intervention strategies. Research from the School District of Philadelphia shows that students who finish 9th grade On-Track graduate at rates near 90%—more than double that of their Off-Track peers. In partnership with the School District of Philadelphia and the University of Chicago, PAI supports schools in using practitioner-friendly data tools to identify and support students at risk of falling Off-Track. Since 2018, average On-Track rates across participating schools have increased from 61.3% to 70.7%, with especially strong gains among Black and Latino young men. PAI also works with schools to strengthen Firmly On-Track rates, a key indicator tied to college enrollment and long-term student success.

Position: 9th Grade Success & Data Coach (Full-Time) 

The 9th Grade Success & Data Coach plays a critical role in implementing and strengthening PAI’s 9th Grade Success Network by providing coaching and technical assistance to six partner schools. This individual supports school leaders in strategic data use, intervention planning, continuous improvement practices, and effective team structures designed to improve 9th Grade On-Track outcomes, which are highly correlated to on-time high school graduation.

In addition to directly coaching school leaders, the Coach collaborates closely with the broader 9th Grade Success Network team to plan and facilitate Network-wide Community of Practice meetings and professional learning experiences for the full 9th Grade Success Network — a network of soon-to-be 30 high schools in the School District of Philadelphia. 

Through school-based implementation, relationship-building, and cross-network collaboration, this individual contributes to the ongoing refinement of effective practices that strengthen school systems and improve 9th-grade student success.

The 9^th Grade Success & Data Coach reports to the Manager of the 9th Grade Success Network.

The ideal candidate for this position will have experience working in public schools and facilitating teacher meetings or professional development sessions; have familiarity with the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) framework; have experience with Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets, tracking and monitoring systems, and data-driven decision making; and have strong written and interpersonal communications skills.  This is an excellent opportunity for a passionate professional interested in leveraging prior experience in K-12 education to make a systems-level impact.  

Key Responsibilities:

Coaching & School Support

• Coach 9^th Grade Assistant Principals at 6 high schools via weekly coaching meetings centered on data utilization, effective team meetings, protocols, intervention tracking and monitoring systems, building distributed leadership, and continuous improvement methods in order to increase 9^th Grade On-Track and Firmly On-Track rates at assigned schools 
• Guide school leaders in regular reflection, practice analysis, and planning by looking at data dashboards and analyzing trend data in order to impact their thinking and planning; help leaders translate and communicate relevant data trends to their teams in a succinct way
• Attend all assigned schools’ weekly 9^th Grade Team meetings and offer support, suggestions, and coaching during and/or after meetings
• Lead quarterly data review and practice reflection meetings with assigned schools’ Assistant Principal and/or Principal

Community of Practice and Professional Development Design and Execution

• Assist with planning and executing meaningful and impactful school-level professional development sessions  
• Assist with planning and executing high-quality Network-level Community of Practice meetings for school leaders and teachers

Strategic Support and Impact

• Collaborate with partners from the School District of Philadelphia and our Chicago consultant team in order to advance the adaptation of data tools and best practices for 9^th graders across the School District of Philadelphia
• Elevate school trends and best practices to stakeholders for collaborative problem solving and/or dissemination across wider audiences 
• Initiate and/or evaluate new systems, tools, and strategies to support 9th-grade success efforts at partner schools and across the District
• Assist in documenting and codifying established high-quality practices and resources for wider access and reference

Reporting and Organizational Support

• Document and track school progress toward their goals, including writing in-depth quarterly reports for the project funder and other key stakeholders
• Participation in all PAI “Signature Events” and fundraisers, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Additional Qualifications and Required Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred
• Experience with coaching adult professionals and/or providing professional development
• Multiple years of experience in public schools is preferred (e.g., as a teacher, counselor, etc.) 
• Experience partnering with teachers and/or administrators to meet specific goals
• Familiarity with MTSS and implementing interventions for young people
• Passion for racial equity and a commitment to applying an equity lens to all aspects of your work
• Strong public speaking skills and experience facilitating meetings or trainings
• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to analyze problems and communicate solutions in a clear and approachable way
• Able to work both independently and in a team, with strong collaboration skills
• Clear and professional written communication skills
• Reliable transportation or a strong comfort level using Philadelphia public transit required; must be comfortable visiting School District of Philadelphia high schools in person on a regular basis

Compensation: The salary range for this role begins at $65,000, with consideration given to experience. PAI offers a full benefits package, including but not limited to Health Insurance, Life Insurance, generous Paid Time Off, and 403(b) retirement plan.

Expected start date: early to mid July 2026.  

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume in the job posting on PAI’s website. 

Candidates who make it to the final round will be asked for three professional references and work samples.