Position: HS Families Manager

Location: Elmhurst, NY

Committed to changing the game for students in Northwest Queens, we are in search of a leader that strives for excellence even when the path of least resistance seems easier. A leader who is passionate about building community and is also committed to the persistence and stamina it requires to do the work. A person who does not shy away from giving critical feedback and can navigate with ease different styles of communication and the various constituents in a school community. Open to feedback, and eager to improve, this individual’s primary goal is to provide students with choices at the next level in a learning environment that is simultaneously challenging, stimulating and fun.

Our new Forte Prep High School, located at 78-02 Queens Blvd in Elmhurst, is an intelligently designed 60,000 sq. ft, 6-story tall building, open to natural light and outfitted with over 25 spacious classrooms and offices, a full-sized gymnasium, a rooftop athletic field, and a robust library and media center.  It is located less than half a mile away from the middle school and is easily accessible by our established school community.  This new building will be opening in the Fall of 2026 and will be home to our current 9th - 12th grade cohort, bringing together what was previously two separate cohorts in Glendale. It will also be a new home for events and sports for our greater community - we aim to open our gymnasium and rooftop athletic field to local classes and events, grounding the new Forte Prep High School as a true community partner in our neighborhood.  

Who We Are:

Forte Prep Academy High School is a new 9th through 12th grade college preparatory, tuition-free public charter school for Queens, New York, with a focus on serving the Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona communities. Our mission is: Through a relentless pursuit of academic, community, and personal excellence, Forte Prep Academy Charter Schools equip all students to become the next generation of leaders in Queens and beyond.

We do this work because 77% of high school graduates in our neighborhood are unprepared for the academic rigor of college. We do this work so that these students can beat the odds stacked against them and change those odds forever.

Our commitments are as follows:

We are committed to preparation for high school, college and beyond. We are committed to unlocking potential in every student. 

We are committed to excellent teaching and learning. 

We are committed to diversity and seek to reflect and honor the diversity of our community within the walls of our school.

We are committed to an intentional school culture ensuring that everything we do that supports a student's success beyond high school are built and maintained, grade by grade, year to year.

We are committed to parents/families. 

This is where you come in. 

What We Need/The Opportunity

Forte Prep Academy is seeking an experienced leader who demonstrates a drive toward excellence and is passionate about serving all students. The Director will inform, support and engage families so they can be active participants in their childrens’ education and help them be successful as people and students. The ideal candidate is an outstanding relationship builder, empathetic leader, proactive problem solver, and adept at managing competing tasks and shifting priorities.

Who You Are:

• You are inspired by Forte Prep’s mission, vision, and values. You are excited to join a team that is committed to removing barriers and addressing the achievement gap. You thrive in a work environment that values community, a strong commitment to excellence, equity, and high expectations for students and faculty.
• You are bilingual (Spanish speaking), multilingual (Mandarin) a plus
• You are a problem solver. You can identify and address potential issues/challenges ahead of time, build systems and processes to avoid potential problems, and keep others in the loop.
• You are a collaborative, positive, and willing team player. You thrive in a lean nonprofit setting with the ability to stay focused and nimble in the face of growth and change. You possess a “get it done” attitude, pitch in where needed, and maintain a high degree of flexibility and creativity in a dynamic environment.
• You are a thoughtful relationship builder who develops rapport easily and fosters long-term connections. You have a warm, energetic, and authentic personality that translates to building lasting relationships both internally and externally. You are a deep and attentive listener and can work with a variety of personalities.
• You are highly organized and detail oriented
• Strong technical skills, in particular, Excel
• You have three to five years of community based experience, including two years in a managerial role.

What You’ll Do: 

• Support the Families Team to ensure that relationships are built and maintained, and support is given when/where needed
• Manage school-wide events in conjunction with the high school team.
• Build relationships with Forte Prep families and students 
• Communicate regularly regarding school events
• Organize events to build connections

Onboarding and Recruiting

• Manage the recruitment of families in the local area
• Ensure that all incoming families understand our expectations, values, structures
• Ensure that every family meets with a member of the team to start to build a relationship, answer individual questions, and understand students’ home/family context and needs
• Prepare for families’ needs: Inform appropriate team members about supports we will need to provide for each student/family or things we must keep in mind so that we are prepared to have them be successful at our school

Support

• Connect families with outside resources and appropriate staff members when an issue/situation arises.
• Communicate with families about happenings at our school and inform them about resources, programs, processes so they can take advantage / make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

Engage

• Plan events/activities that allow families to engage with one another and build relationships with others in our community
• Hold families accountable to what we expect from them as stakeholders in their children’s education
• Manage school’s social media channels for engagement with prospective, current, and alumni families

Compensation

Salary range is $70,000 - $85,000 commensurate with your experience. Forte Prep Academy employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 403 B matching, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, a smartphone, and a laptop.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Forte Preparatory Academy Charter Schools are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Elmhurst, NY 11373