Our signature program trains tomorrow’s principals to turn around underperforming schools and the lives of the students who attend them. The people who join our program share a deep belief that all students can achieve at high levels – that demography is not destiny for children if the adults can get it right. Beyond this shared belief, New Leader Principals all have a drive to action; they want to make this vision a reality, and they want to do it quickly for the many students not being served well by our public schools. They are talented and extremely dedicated educators, and they do not give up until all their students get the excellent education they need for success in college and life.

We seek outstanding current and former educators who demonstrate:

• A relentless drive to transform an underperforming public school
• A firm belief that effective leadership practices have a direct impact on academic performance
• Instructional expertise in a K-12 classroom
• The drive to make a real difference in the lives of students from low-income communities

View a full list of our Selection Criteria >>

Application Process

In most of our cities, participants join and complete the Emerging Leaders Program before entering the Aspiring Principals Program. Joining the Emerging Leaders Program requires applicants to be currently working in one of our partner districts or charter management organizations in a teaching or instructional leadership role.

There is also a national admissions process for applicants who are not eligible for the Emerging Leaders Program because a) they did not know about the program and did not apply, b) they do not work in a location where we are offering the Emerging Leaders Program, or c) they are not currently in a teaching or school-based instructional role.

Learn more about the admissions process >>

Attend an information session >>

Apply to the Aspiring Principals Program >>

Our New Leaders represent diverse backgrounds, such as:

• Accomplished, experienced individuals with a record of instructional leadership, such as teacher leaders, grade-level chairs, school leadership team members, and professional developers.
• Former teachers who now work for non-profits or for-profits and want to join their teaching and leadership capabilities.
• Former business and non-profit leaders who became teachers.
• Early career teacher leaders who have delivered results in a short period of time.

Who are New Leaders? View the infograph >>

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