Our Approach
Through its programs, (Neubauer Fellowship in Educational Leadership, Leaders of Leaders, Performance Partners, plus previous Aspiring Assistant Superintendent Academy and Teacher-Leader Collaborative Grants), the Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders develops highly effective school leaders who are prepared to overcome the significant challenges confronting Philadelphia’s schools and achieve greater student outcomes.
The Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders’ approach to leadership development is results-driven and evidence-based. Our training prepares leaders to maximize their impact on student achievement and gives them the opportunity to build deeply collaborative relationships with their peers.
High-quality, evidence-based leadership development
Our programs develop skills that experts identify as having the greatest impact on student learning, especially given the unique challenges of urban education. Successful urban educators must be prepared to handle significant challenges yet continue to set high expectations for their students.
Programs teach leaders to:
- design and implement a strategic plan that produces measurable, meaningful results
- improve student attendance and family participation
- improve teacher recruitment and retention
- broaden and deepen community support for the school
Cross-sector cohort experiences
Philadelphia has a diverse landscape of district, charter, and faith-based schools serving 215,000 schoolchildren. While schools in these sectors take different approaches to educating students, they often neighbor each other and serve the same families. There is opportunity for leaders of these schools to share resources and expertise in the interest of improving the outcomes of students across the city. Learning in a cross-sector cohort, where each member brings something different to the table, strengthens the learning of all participating school leaders.
Our approach to leadership development equips participants with better tools, skills, and networks to overcome challenges, especially those unique to urban schools, and to inspire high levels of student achievement.
We believe that Philadelphia can become an exemplar of successful urban education –
a city full of schools, attractive to parents and students, schools where all students can reach their full potential.
The Philadelphia Academy of School Leaders invests in school leaders and measures its own success by improvement in student outcomes. Effective school leaders, motivated students, satisfied parents, and involved communities are powerful accelerators to sustaining Philadelphia’s growth and prosperity.
