Define principal excellence, expand the reach of top principals, accelerate the development of high-potential school leaders, and strengthen school leadership outcomes across Chicago Public Schools.
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Executive Principal Overview
The Executive Principal Program is designed to expand the impact of strong, experienced principals by pairing them with high-potential principals (Partner Principals) to provide structured leadership development focused on strengthening leadership practice, advancing school priorities, and supporting measurable progress toward each Partner Principal’s goals.
This program is part of a broader strategy to define principal excellence, expand the reach of top principals, accelerate the development of high-potential school leaders, and strengthen school leadership outcomes across Chicago Public Schools.
Executive Principals and Partner Principals are matched for the duration of the school year and engage in structured coaching and leadership development, including regular coaching meetings, school visits and observations, strategic planning and problem-solving, leadership development conversations, data review and school progress monitoring, and mid-year and end-of-year progress reviews. Each partnership co-creates a Development Plan that outlines leadership focus areas, school improvement goals, leadership development goals, and measurable outcomes for the year.
OutcomesÂ
- Executive Principals: Expanded leadership impact beyond their own school, demonstrated capacity to mentor and develop other leaders, and a role in defining and modeling strong principal leadership practices across CPS.
- Partner Principals: Accelerated leadership development through structured coaching, school visits, and strategic problem-solving, plus a co-created Development Plan with measurable school improvement and leadership goals for the year.
- CPS Systemwide: A stronger leadership pipeline, improved school and student outcomes, and greater retention of strong principals across the district.
Who Should Apply?Â
As an Executive Principal: Strong, experienced principals who have demonstrated strong leadership and school improvement outcomes and are ready to expand their impact beyond their own building while continuing to lead effectively in their own school and commit to regular touchpoints with their Partner Principal throughout the school year.
As a Partner Principal: High-potential principals who want structured leadership development to strengthen their leadership practice, advance school priorities, and accelerate progress toward their goals.