Frequently Asked Questions
What training does Houston A+ Challenge's aspiring principal academy provide?
The Regional Principal Leadership Academy is a unique, 14-month principal preparation program for individuals who hope to provide instructional leadership for the Houston region's most challenged public school school campuses. The Academy provides rigorous coursework, experiential training through a yearlong internship, and ongoing coaching and mentoring drawing upon Houston A+ Challenge's decade of work to develop leaders at all school levels. For a more detailed description of Academy elements and timeline, click here.
How is the A+ Academy different from other principal training opportunities?
Because our Academy serves multiple school districts, our participants are exposed to a broad range of systems as they visit and analyze secondary school campuses across the Houston region. Also, the intensive coaching offered by Houston A+ is unparalleled -- both during the yearlong internship with a mentor principal and an A+ coach, and as new principals build their leadership team and prepare and implement a targeted plan for improving student success.
How can I apply? How are candidates identified, recruited and selected?
The Academy is not accepting new applicants at this time. Selection for previous cohorts was highly competitive and competency-based. Candidates completed essays, phone interviews and in-person interviews. Each candidate's track record of instructional success and leadership was also considered in the screening process.
Public school districts have always been important partners in the recruitment and nomination of candidates. However, to assure that a broad selection of aspiring principals entered the program, Houston A+ Challenge retained independence in candidate selection.
How competitive was the selection process?
In 2008, more than 240 individuals applied for the first cohort of the Academy. From this group, 120 were selected for phone interviews, 60 advanced to the in-person interview round, and 40 were invited to final selection weekend. Ultimately, 20 interns were selected for the first cohort, which began in June 2008. More than 250 candidates applied for our second cohort in 2009, and 19 interns were selected from that group.
