Superintendents Leadership Academy

  • Our Goal

    To recruit and prepare Latino and Latino- serving school system leaders to become superintendents of 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 in a hybrid learning environment from superintendents who are known for their success and skilled in their practice.

  • Our Mission

    The mission of the ALAS Superintendents Leadership Academy (SLA) is to improve and expand opportunities for emerging school system leaders by providing coaching, mentoring, and support to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to assume high level roles especially in high poverty and minority serving school systems.

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Co-Facilitators

Dr. Patricia Gracia

Dr. Hector Montenegro

Program Information

The ALAS Superintendents Leadership Academy (SLA) signature program addresses the need to recruit, mentor, and prepare the next generation of Superintendents who serve Latino communities, while promoting the advancement of Latino leaders.

The ALAS SLA Program continues to be the premier leadership academy in the nation, due to it’s competitive and balanced cohort selection of candidates.

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

Selection Criteria

ALAS seeks dedicated and aspiring district level administrators in their development of the knowledge and networking skills necessary to lead a school district. The selection process is highly competitive due to the limited number of participants as designed by the cohort model. Ideally, candidates are serving at a cabinet-level position. In addition, a candidate should have:

  • Served in a district level leadership position for a minimum of 3 years

  • A proven track record of leadership and/or management in an educational organization

  • Ability to understand, lead and manage in a complex political organization and work well in a diverse setting

  • High level of energy, determination, and perseverance to act as a change agent in a demanding organization

  • 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 historically marginalized students

  • Commitment to equity, excellence, and closing achievement gaps 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 SLA Selection Committee after the application window closes on April 15th of each year. The ALAS SLA Selection Committee Members have a strong understanding of the skills needed to succeed as a superintendent. 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 held monthly beginning in September and ending in May of the following year. The program is comprised of five (5) virtual sessions and four (4) in-person sessions covering various content strands. Participants are provided required readings, assignments, and activities as part of each session.

Click here to view SLA Calendar

Program Requirements

  • All Superintendent Leadership Academy participants must be members of ALAS.

  • All SLA participants will pledge to attend all sessions of the ALAS SLA including the ALAS Education Summit.

  • ALAS Superintendent Leadership Academy participants will be required to pay a $2,500 registration fee upon acceptance within 30 days.

  • ALAS will cover most meals provided at the in-person SLA sessions.

  • SLA participants are required to self pay lodging and airfare to attend all SLA sessions.

  • ALAS reserves the right to make necessary adjustments to these program requirements as circumstances 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 level leadership program; or if they are not committed to the ideals of ALAS by violating the Code of Conduct.