Program Elements

Houston A+ Challenge's Regional Principal Leadership Academy is a rigorous, 14-month, practicum-based program for individuals who want to provide instructional leadership for the Houston region's most challenged urban public schools.

Built upon Houston A+ Challenge’s decade of reform work with local school districts, the Academy provides: unparalleled coaching and mentoring throughout a yearlong, on-the-job internship; rigorous experiential training from regional and national leaders in school change; and coursework for principal certification (if needed). Academy participants are full-time employees of their host districts, which provide salary and benefits.

Aspiring principals begin their training with an intensive, six-week summer session with national and regional faculty. Course topics include systems thinking, leadership scenarios and case studies, building relationships and trust through communication, analyzing school and student achievement data, solving problems in budgeting and resource allocation, and adapting leadership learning to diverse situations.

During the school year, aspiring principals are placed in Houston-area secondary schools for full-time Action Residencies. Principal Interns work side-by-side with Mentor Principals, execute action research projects aimed at student improvement, and receive frequent one-on-one coaching and site visits from Academy Coaches. Princpal Interns also meet 2-4 times monthly as a cohort to continue leadership training and prepare for the state’s principal certification exam.

Academy graduates who are placed as principals in local public schools may receive up to two years of follow-up support from Houston A+ Challenge, to help develop their school leadership teams and develop and implement targeted plans for improving student success.