What APP Participants Say About The Program:

“This has been the most challenging learning experience that I have had and I am grateful for being a part of this program . . . [The Leadership Academy] has raised the bar for what I expect of myself and certainly of my future staff. My belief that schools should be havens for children has been solidified”

“I cannot recall an experience in which I learned and grew so much in such a short amount of time”

“APP introduced me to a caring network of focused, dedicated people that I can continuously count on to inspire and push me to get the job done.”

The NYC Leadership Academy's Aspiring Principals Program (APP) recruits, prepares, and supports the next generation of New York City public school leaders. APP is a standards-based, 14-month leadership development program that uses problem-based and action-learning methodologies to prepare participants to lead instructional improvement efforts in the City’s most challenging public schools. Through its rigorous application process, APP selects a diverse and talented group of educators (including former assistant principals, teachers, coaches and guidance counselors) deeply committed to closing the achievement gap. APP graduates commit to serve the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) for five years.

Since 2003, the NYC Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Program (APP) has recruited, prepared, and supported aspiring New York City public school leaders. APP is an innovative, 14-month leadership development program that prepares participants to lead instructional improvement efforts in the City’s hardest-to-staff public schools – those marked by high student poverty, low student achievement and a history of frequent leadership turnover – using problem-based and action-learning methodologies that reflect the authentic, real life experiences of New York City principals. Through its rigorous application process, APP selects a diverse and talented group of educators (including former assistant principals, teachers, coaches and guidance counselors) who are deeply committed to closing the achievement gap and expanding educational opportunities for all children.

APP participants take part in the program’s three distinct phases: a six-week Summer Intensive that engages participants in a problem-based, action-learning curriculum that simulates the actual challenges of a New York City principalship; a ten-month, School-based Residency under the mentorship of an experienced principal; and a Planning Summer that enables participants to transition successfully into school leadership positions. All participants are evaluated on a pass-fail basis and must meet rigorous performance standards to progress to each successive program phase and to graduate. The program is led by the APP faculty, which is comprised of former New York City principals and principal supervisors.

APP participants are paid a salary by the NYC Department of Education for the duration of the program. In addition, participants who have not yet earned their New York State administrative certification (SAS/SBL) will complete the necessary credits needed to qualify for SAS/SBL certification.

"Having a network of colleagues at my disposal that I can call upon on my journey is so empowering! We can help each other in awesome ways. We share, we laugh and problem-solve together. I can't even begin to express how wonderful that is."

Participant, 2003-2004 Aspiring Principals Program