Aspiring Principals Program

We believe that skilled and passionate school leadership is the key to educational equality and school transformation

For over a decade, NYC Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Program (APP) has selected, prepared and supported aspiring New York City public school leaders who want to make a difference in the city’s high-need schools. APP is a nationally recognized, standards-based program that uses experiential learning methods to develop the real-world leadership skills.

We help leaders become change agents who can inspire teachers and foster educational equity. Through our rigorous selection and training process, we develop a diverse and talented group of educators deeply committed to improving academic outcomes for New York City students.

The NYC Leadership Academy’s Aspiring Principals Program (APP) has three distinct phases.

• Phase one: a six-week summer intensive engages participants in a standards-based curriculum that simulates the actual challenges of a New York City principalship.
• Phase two: a ten-month, school-based residency under the mentorship of an experienced principal.
• Phase three: participants spend the summer transitioning successfully into school leadership positions.

APP participants are evaluated on a pass-fail basis. They must meet rigorous performance standards to progress to each successive program phase. Graduates commit to serving the New York City public schools for a minimum of five years. The program is led by former New York City principals and principal supervisors trained in our unique, hands-on approach to school leadership development.

We know that the work of improving schools calls not just for a skilled leader, but one who can build a strong school team united in their commitment to improving schools on behalf of students.

So NYC Leadership Academy utilizes a “team approach” — pairing APP graduates with aspiring assistant principals and providing opportunities for them to work as a team both during the program and once they are placed as school leaders. We then provide them and their team with enhanced coaching support. Together, this leadership team is dedicated to creating learning environments that enable teachers and students to excel.