Key Aspiring Principals Program (APP) Accomplishments:
- Today, APP principals represent 13% of New York City public school principals and currently serve more than 100,000 students.
- Since 2004, 21% of APP graduates have opened new, small New York City public schools.
- Over 90% of APP graduates serve in education leadership and support positions.
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 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 high-need public schools—those marked by high poverty and low student achievement. 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.
APP has 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 salaries and benefits are paid by the NYC DOE while in 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.
“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.”