At ACIL, we’re not doing school the traditional way. We’re reimagining learning through the design-thinking process, where students don’t just talk about ideas, they build them, test them, and bring them to life.

The Academic Director is the heartbeat of this culture. You’ll guide a team of passionate facilitators and help students grow in our six core skills: Purpose, Self-Awareness, Adaptation, Empathy, Collaboration, and Agency. Using the Wayfinder framework, you’ll help transform classrooms into creative spaces where students design real solutions that make a difference in the world.

This role blends leadership, coaching, and creativity. You’ll shape how learning feels, support facilitators in bringing design-thinking to every project, and ensure every student graduates with the mindset and confidence to lead change. You’ll also oversee academic counseling, partnerships, and day-to-day school life, making sure our culture of curiosity and belonging thrives every day.

Core Responsibilities

1. Learning Leadership through Design Thinking

• Guide and coach facilitators to use the design-thinking process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test)
• Ensure that student projects move beyond discussion or awareness to create real impact outcomes that address authentic problems.
• Lead professional learning sessions to strengthen facilitator capacity in Wayfinder implementation and design-thinking integration.
• Observe classroom facilitation, provide constructive feedback, and model best practices that build agency, creativity, and reflection.
• Align the monthly Core Skill themes and ACL Talks with ACIL’s six core skills and ensure consistent application across the curriculum.
• Support the development of student speakers and interviewers who represent ACIL’s culture of purpose and voice.

2. Academic Counseling and Graduation Pathways

• Oversee academic counseling and help students design personalized graduation plans aligned with ACIL’s academic framework and university requirements.
• Ensure all students meet graduation and dual-enrollment credit standards through structured academic tracking and reviews.
• Coordinate with the Academic Operations Manager and Registrar to maintain accurate academic records and transcripts.
• Manage dual enrollment opportunities with Arizona State University (ASU) and ensure all ASU courses meet ACIL’s high school requirements.

3. Educational Partnerships and Enrichment

• Develop partnerships with external educational and cultural organizations to expand student learning experiences.
• Coordinate creative and technical programs such as ceramics, painting, or arts-based collaborations that align with academic credit requirements.
• Ensure partnerships are scheduled within semester timelines and integrated into the design-thinking framework.

4. Student Support and Behavior Guidance

• Lead day-to-day operations related to student behavior and emotional support, using empathy and restorative approaches.
• Support facilitators in addressing behavioral challenges through reflective conversations and individual student meetings.
• Design behavioral support plans when necessary and collaborate with parents on long-term solutions.
• Ensure that every response aligns with ACIL’s core values and promotes belonging, accountability, and growth.

5. Operational and Team Leadership

• Supervise all academic staff, including facilitators, assistant facilitators, the Academic Operations Manager, and front office personnel.
• Collaborate with the Academic Operations Manager on admissions, registration, and academic record accuracy.
• Oversee the Peer Tutoring Program, ensuring that older students mentor younger peers effectively using design-thinking principles.
• Participate in Student Board meetings as a mentor and advisor, supporting student-led problem solving and initiatives.
• Develop and execute the annual school calendar, ensuring events, assessments, and initiatives align with learning goals.

6. Assessment, Testing, and Academic Quality

• Ensure the proper scheduling and administration of MAP, ACT, and SAT testing cycles.
• Assign responsible staff and ensure all facilitators receive training for testing procedures.
• Analyze test data to identify trends, celebrate growth, and guide facilitators in addressing learning gaps through design-thinking interventions.
• Lead team reflections to connect test results with instructional design and continuous improvement.

7. Family and Community Engagement

• Meet regularly with parents to discuss academic progress, social-emotional development, and project outcomes.
• Host family meetings and community sessions to communicate school priorities, updates, and student success stories.
• Strengthen collaboration between families and facilitators, reinforcing shared responsibility in student growth.