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How We’re Preparing Exceptional Principals

School leaders account for up to one-fourth of school-based effects on student achievement. Here’s an overview of how the NC State College of Education’s principal preparation programs have become a national model for preparing dynamic leaders who positively influence a school’s culture and student outcomes.

Where We Are

Our principal preparation programs encompass over a half-dozen leadership academies and cohorts that serve nearly a quarter of the public school districts in North Carolina and have graduated 140 principals, assistant principals and other school leaders since graduating their first cohort in 2012:

Map of North Carolina where principal preparation programs are located.

Our principal preparation programs are nationally recognized for developing highly-effective school leaders.

1 of Only 5

Principal Preparation Programs Among 770+ in Nation Recognized as Exemplary by University Council for Educational Administration

#22

National Ranking in Educational Leadership and Administration Specialty Category by U.S. News and World Report

90%

of NELA First-Year Principals Met or Exceeded Growth in High-need, Title I Schools vs. 75% of Experienced Principals (2014-15)

Meet a Few of Our Alumni

“This program pulled me so far out of my comfort zone that, looking back now, I know I could never go back to the person I was before. I now walk into school buildings energized, prepared and equipped. Not only did the programs prepare the professional in me, but they also deeply developed the person I am as well. I am better because of this experience.”

– Otis Maben ’18MSA

Meet Otis