National Principal Leadership Academy

  • Our Goal

    To recruit and prepare Latino and Latino- serving school system leaders to become principals in school districts with an emphasis on Latino and historically marginalized youth.

  • Our Vision

    A yearlong leadership academy that allows participants to learn current organizational leadership proficiency focusing on equity hands on projects. Our participants refine their knowledge and acquire new skills by connecting with administrators who are known for their success and skilled in their practice.

  • Our Mission

    The mission of the ALAS National Principal Leadership Academy (NPLA) is to improve and expand opportunities for emerging school system leaders to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to serve all children with an emphasis on historically marginalized students.

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Facilitator

Monica Mesa

Program Information

The National Principal Leadership Academy (NPLA) supports the leadership development of aspiring and novice principals. Our Academy will provide aspiring principals, assistant principals, as well as first and second-year principals the opportunity to participate in a year-long academy. The curriculum and assignments will be equity-centric for leading staff to serve our historically marginalized and students of color.

Please read the information below for program requirements, selection criteria, selection decisions, and program session attendance.

Selection Criteria

ALAS seeks dedicated and aspiring administrators and current first year principals in their development of the knowledge and networking skills necessary to lead a school of high quality and transformative practices. The selection process is highly competitive due to the limited number of participants as designed by the cohort model. Ideally, candidates are serving as teacher leaders, assistant principals or novice principal positions. In addition, a candidate should have:

  • Served in a leadership position for a minimum of 2 years

  • A proven track record of leadership in a school setting

  • Ability to understand, lead school transformation

  • High level of energy, determination, and perseverance to act as an advocate for students, staff and the community at-large

  • Ability to learn quickly, possess analytical, and problem-solving skills

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to work and succeed as a school system leader, in a school district that serves all children with an emphasis on Latino, Black and marginalized students

  • Commitment to equity, excellence, for a high quality education for all students

  • Passion for improving public education and a long-term commitment to PK-12 education

  • Commitment to the mission and vision of ALAS

Selection Decisions

All applications are reviewed by the ALAS NPLA Selection Committee after the application window closes on April 15th of each year. The ALAS NPLA Selection Committee Members have a strong understanding of the skills needed to succeed as a principal. Candidates selected to move forward in the application process will be notified of an interview.

Program Session Attendance & Dates

Participants are required to attend program sessions every other month beginning in July and ending in April of the following year. The program is comprised of 5 virtual and 1 in-person sessions plus the graduation covering various content strands. Participants are provided required readings, assignments, and activities as part of each session.

Click Here to view NPLA 2024-2025 Calendar

Program Requirements

  • All National Principal Leadership Academy participants must be members of ALAS.

  • All NPLA participants will pledge to attend all sessions.

  • The National Principal Leadership Academy participants will be required to pay a $1,500 registration fee.

  • NPLA participants are required to self pay lodging and airfare to attend.

  • ALAS reserves the right to make necessary adjustments to these program requirements as circumstance may change from time to time.

  • NOTE: Participants will be dismissed and not be allowed to complete the program if they miss more than one session; if they are not ready to fully participate in this high quality leadership program; or if they are not committed to the ideals of the NPLA by violating the Code of Conduct.