National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAPA)

Are you a teacher leader, an assistant principal, or an early career principal searching for quality professional learning to take your leadership to the next level? Are you a district leader committed to building a strong, diverse principal pipeline? NAPA will support these goals.

Program Overview

NAPA is a joint partnership between NAESP, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Delivered by nationally recognized educational leaders and mentors, NAPA is a yearlong cohort-based academy designed  to support aspiring, assistant, and early career principals in attaining the essential skills and practices needed to advance to the next level  of leadership.

Academy and Registration Details

NAPA prepares aspiring and early career principals to lead forward with creativity, vision, and an eye on equity. Based on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, the academy uses an applied approach that includes addressing lessons learned in real time. Curriculum topics include:

  • Framing the Principal Role: Knowing Yourself and Your Leadership Strengths and Areas for Growth 
  • Leading for Equity with Urgency
  • Understanding Governance
  • Building a Community of Support
  • Balancing Leadership
  • Leading Learning

Registration closes October 11, 2024

REGISTER NOW

Please note that all 2024-2025 academy meetings will take place virtually.

  • June 3 – October 11, 2024 – Registration open
  • October 24, 2024 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:30 pm ET
  • November 14, 2024 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • December 12, 2024 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • January 16, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • February 20, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • March 13, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • April 17, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • May 15, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:00 pm ET
  • June 12, 2025 – cohort meeting, 5:00-7:30 pm ET

The cost to participate in the National Aspiring Principals Academy cohort is $3,500 per person, due at the time of registration. This registration fee includes all course information and learning materials.  The academy registration fee is payable by credit card, check, or purchase order. Cancellation policy: Any registration cancellation request must be made in writing to kearley@naesp.org by no later than November 7, 2024 to receive a refund; refund requests after this date will not be honored. A $100 processing fee will apply to all cancellations.

If you have questions about future cohort availability or other aspects of NAPA, please contact Katie Earley at kearley@naesp.org or 703-518-6264.