Principal Career Development
Aspiring Principals
When current DCPS assistant principals are ready to move toward principalship, they are supported with programs tailored to prepare them for the unique responsibility of leading a DCPS school. Leadership development for aspiring principals include mentorship opportunities with current DCPS Principals, hands-on practice leading a school community, and learning how a great leader operationalizes their personal vision of leadership.
Executive Masters in Leadership for DC School Leaders
From 2013 through 2015, DCPS partnered with Georgetown University to develop and support an Executive Master’s in Leadership degree program for a cohort of school and system leaders to develop skills for leadership in a large, urban public school system. In January 2017, DCPS reestablished that partnership with support from the Walton Family Foundation and launched the first-ever district-charter cohort of the EML program. Featuring a cohort model of 10 DC Public Schools (DCPS) and 10 DC charter school leaders, the DC Public School Leaders (DCPSL) EML program will enhance the skills and capacity of public school principals, while facilitating best-practice sharing across district and charter schools.
Instructional Superintendent Support
To support our school leaders, DCPS has strategically focused on building a team of instructional superintendents (principal supervisors) who are skilled at helping principals grow as instructional leaders through both one-on-one and group interactions. The instructional superintendents dedicate the majority of their time to helping principals grow as instructional leaders through individual coaching and support. They also meet monthly with all principals within their cluster to engage in professional learning.
Adelante Fellowship
DCPS is committed to ensuring that all students succeed academically, particularly those furthest from opportunity. The Adelante Fellowship provides aspiring LatinX leaders and allies with a cohort-based program to build community, develop leadership, and strengthen instructional expertise so that multi-language learners reach their full potential.
Mary Jane Patterson Aspiring Principal Fellowship
Named for the first Black woman to be a principal in DCPS, this year-long program prepares distinguished Assistant Principals to be principals and lead transformational change. Participants learn from university faculty and district leaders, while partnering with veteran principals who serve as mentors and coaches.
Cahn Fellowship
DCPS recognizes veteran principals who are making an impact on their school communities with the Cahn Distinguished Principal Fellowship, a year-long leadership development experience that provides fellows with an opportunity to tackle a school-wide problem of practice with leaders from across the country.
New Principal Support
New principals are supported through a multiday onboarding experience in the summer, a monthly new principal Professional Learning Community (PLC), and individual mentoring from Principal Partners.
Starting with Building a Strategic Entry (B.A.S.E.) Camp, new school leaders are set up for success in their first 90 days through a series of interactive and applicable sessions with key district staff. This week-long orientation covers a broad range of topics including planning for a successful school year, ensuring rigorous instruction, and navigating operational concerns.
New principals also engage in monthly New Principal Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions focused on implementing key district priorities and connecting with Central Service teams. Veteran principals join the PLC to share their perspective and expertise.
Finally, new principals are supported by Principal Partners, successful DCPS principals who help new principals manage the transition to DCPS by helping them build relationships with Central Service staff and community partners, familiarize themselves with DCPS policies and procedures, and navigate challenges in their first year.
Additional Leadership Development Opportunities
DCPS is committed to investing in its people and providing educators with leadership development opportunities. To that end, DCPS partners with universities and organizations to provide innovative programs and professional learning experiences.
Between 2013 – 2018, for example, DCPS partnered with Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business to create an Executive Master’s in Leadership for school leaders. The curriculum focused on personal, adaptive, and organizational leadership and change management.
Today, DCPS continues to partner with Georgetown as well as The George Washington University, Howard University, American University, the University of the District of Columbia, and Trinity Washington University to provide career development opportunities for aspiring and current school leaders.
DCEF Central Office 2021 Final
