We are no longer accepting applications to the Aspiring Principals Program for the 2012-2013 school year. However, we are starting to accept nominations to our Emerging Leaders Program. Please visit this page to learn more about this program for talented teachers, coaches and assistant principals, and check that you meet the requirements for your location.

City-specific questions? Please contact our local program sites.

Although the application is closed for this year, you can still:

Find out if you are eligible to apply

Check the Requirements by Location page to ensure that you are eligible.

Prepare to apply

Be sure that you can receive emails and notifications from us by adding admissions@newleaders.org and noreply_appsupport@newleaders.org to your Contacts list. Or check your Spam folder frequently for any emails from us.

Read through the sample application. It has the actual short answers and essays from the online application, so you can get a feel for how the application will look next year.

Once we begin accepting applications, the process entails:

Completing an online application

Once we confirm your eligibility and you have received your user license, you can start the online application.

View the sample application (contains actual questions from 2011) >>

Participating in a First Round Assessment

This virtual assessment will take at least eight hours to complete and will take place virtually, on the candidate’s own time, over the course of several days. It serves as an opportunity for applicants to share their experiences and discuss their interest in becoming an urban public school principal. Within three weeks following completion of the First Round Assessment, you will be notified via email about whether you will be invited to a Finalist Selection Day.

Attending a Finalist Selection Day

Finalist Selection Day is a full day of interviews modeled after a “day in the life of a principal.” During this day, you will participate in a variety of activities that may include a written assignment, interviews, case studies, and role plays. Finalist Selection Day interviews always occur in-person and are held regionally across the country. If you do not live in a city where we host Finalist Selection Day interviews, we will pay for your travel expenses to the regional interview site.

Providing references and receiving final decision notification

Following Finalist Selection Day, we may reach out to your references before making a final decision. You will be notified via U.S. postal service of the final admission decision within three weeks following your Finalist Selection Day.

Please note: New Leaders are responsible for finding their own placements as school leaders. While we support New Leaders in the job search process, we do not place New Leaders in a role after completion of the Residency.

New Leaders admits program participants of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. For more information, please click here.