Program Elements
Our training program is based on a rigorous curriculum focused on best practices and the latest research as well as a full school year of on-the-job training. There are three major components to our program:
- Local program- the majority of learning during the program takes place in our program cities, where Residents take on leadership roles in their placement sites and engage in coursework with local staff and seasoned New Leaders in their area
- National seminars – Residents gather as a national cohort for 1-2 weeks during the summer, fall and spring to learn from experts in the field and from other aspiring school leaders across the country
- Virtual learning – trainings held through our online webinars provide national content and resources to Residents while also allowing them to learn on their own time throughout the year
Residents learn about the key competencies of transformational principals, such as:
- Diagnosing a school and building a first-year action plan
- Using data to drive instructional improvement
- Aligning staff and building school teams
- Creating a school culture of high expectations
- Developing personal leadership skills
These courses are mapped directly to the Urban Excellence FrameworkTM—our research-based guide of the leadership actions taken by successful principals that drive teacher effectiveness and student learning.
Learn more about the Urban Excellence Framework >>
Local Program
The Residency Year (“Residency”) is a full-time, paid position as a school leader. Supported by a mentor principal and members of our local staff, Residents are directly responsible for raising student achievement by leading teachers and advancing school-wide goals.
We are dedicated to placing Residents in high-performing sites where they can learn first-hand how to deliver success for students. Based on a 360 assessment of each Resident, and an evaluation of placement sites, we make careful matches for Residents to schools that will support their learning.
The Aspiring Principals Program Director and staff will work with each Resident to create an Individualized Learning Plan in order to personalize and differentiate coursework and coaching as much as possible. The Program Director and staff will also deliver local curriculum and provide you with ongoing feedback based on visits to your placement site, providing the support you need to demonstrate positive impact on student learning during their Residency Year.
We will also have experienced “executive coaches” who support the personal leadership development of each Resident through various approaches. These highly trained executive coaches will provide goals and feedback around Residents’ adult leadership skills, helping develop their self-awareness and ability to adapt their leadership style to various kinds of situations.
At the end of their Residency Year, Residents seek school leadership positions within our partner districts at existing district or charter schools, or become founding principals of brand-new district or charter schools.
Meet Residents from our latest cohort >>
Meet a New Leader getting results >>
Principal Institute
After completing their Residency, New Leader Principals join the Principal Institute, where they receive ongoing professional development and a supportive learning community during the crucial first year on the job.
