School Leaders
The Department of Principal Quality identifies, develops, supports, and retains strong school leaders dedicated to student success in CPS. Our vision is for every CPS school to have a strong leader who provides opportunities for all students to reach their fullest potential.
Strong school leadership positively impacts the whole school community. CPS’ Department of Principal Quality provides leadership development and support for aspiring and current school leaders that helps you grow personally and professionally while inspiring others.
Through a continuum of supports — from “aspiring to retiring,” as we like to say — CPS provides many ways to learn, develop, plan, and engage along your career journey.
Programs and supports to develop educational leaders for their next role, from aspiring APs to aspiring district leaders.
Systems and structures that provide meaningful professional development for the in-role development of our assistant principals and principals.
Talent management processes, data systems, and strategies to support the selection, placement, and onboarding of school leaders and the ongoing assessment of our school leadership talent pool.
Specific opportunities aimed to retain fantastic school leaders by shaping a district culture where they feel valued and empowered, and their input is considered in decision-making.
Resources that empower Local School Councils (LSCs) and Advisory Local School Councils (ALSCs) with effective processes and tools for principal selection/recommendation, principal evaluation, and principal contract renewal.
Filter School Leader Opportunities
ORGANIZATIONCPS Dept. of Principal Quality (Engagement Team) and The Chicago Public Education Fund
Affinity Groups (DPQ & The Fund)
The Department of Principal Quality, in partnership with the Fund, is launching Affinity Groups for aspiring leaders. These groups will support participants in building their personal and professional cultural identity and community. There will be monthly touch points for participants to connect with colleagues who share their affinity. The groups offered will be: Black, Latino/a/e, Asian-American Pacific Islander, White and LGBTQIA+. The Affinity Groups aim to provide safe spaces for aspiring leaders to discuss topics related to their cultural backgrounds and experiences. Participants will be able to bring their authentic selves and find community as they navigate their leadership journeys.
DURATIONYear Long Program
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens in March but is on-going throughout the year
EligibilityAffinity Groups: Black, Latino/a/e, Asian-American Pacific Islander, White and LGBTQIA+.
Current CPS employees aspiring to grow into future leadership roles.
ORGANIZATIONThe Chicago Public Education Fund
Design Coaching to Implement
Design Coaching to Implement is a full year of implementation support — one on one coaching and cohort learning. School teams will create a new project for their school, or get support on an existing initiative. We offer additional design studios throughout the school year, which teach school-based teams how to conduct empathy interviews and use those insights to design responsive programming with students and in communities. Participating teams are eligible for CPDU credits and a $1,000 stipend.
DURATION1 academic year.
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens March 2024-August 2024
EligibilityTeams can be lead by Principals, Assistant Principals, or Teacher Leaders.
ORGANIZATIONVOCEL
Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL)
Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) is a cohort-based program designed for school leaders and administrators to strengthen their leadership of early learning (P-2) programs in their schools by identifying and implementing strong early learning practices. Expert early learning leadership coaches from VOCEL partner closely with you to determine the most pressing challenges in your early grades and develop a tailored action plan. Through cohort discussions and customized coaching, VOCEL supports you and your team to improve outcomes for your earliest learners and strengthen learning in the early years that will pay off through 8th grade and beyond.
DURATIONYear long program, with opportunity to engage in differentiated second year
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens March 2024
Eligibility– Highly preferred: Lead an elementary school with Title I designation
– Have at least one Pre-K classroom
– Preferred: ability to commit to two-year program model
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Communications Committee
School Leaders Communications Team will help us streamline communication for school leaders, and create systems of support to ensure school leaders have the information they need to be successful and lead their schools.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March-April
Eligibility3 or more years a school leader (Principal or AP)
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Celebration and Appreciation Committee
This team will focus on celebrations and appreciation for School Leaders. They will plan for School Leader Summit (July), Principal Appreciation Month (Oct), AP Appreciation Month (April) and the end of the year School Leaders Party.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March-April
EligibilityPrincipal or AP with at least 1 year of experience
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Care Team
The School Leaders Care team is a cross-collaboration between district leaders and school leaders that will create safe, nurturing, supportive environments for Principals and Assistant Principals.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
April-June
Eligibility1 or more years as a sitting principal
Have questions or need to get in touch?
Please email: CPSLeaders@cps.edu
Department of Principal Quality
42 W. Madison, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60602
(773) 553-1515
