Overview
The Leaders Program, NACSA’s premier authorizing leadership development program, supports both established and emerging leaders in the field. Participants strengthen their authorizing expertise and sharpen their leadership skills.
The Leaders Program cultivates and coaches a growing network of highly competent and effective leaders dedicated to the goal of more students in great public charter schools. Since 2012, the program has engaged 100+ authorizers in more than 60 offices authorizing over 3,500 charter schools. Program alumni are recognized as leaders who advance the ideas and practices of authorizing so students and communities—especially those who are historically under-resourced— thrive.
The Leaders Program equips authorizing leaders to:
- Ground their work in NACSA’s Principles & Standards while advancing the field.
- Cultivate leadership capacity to strengthen themselves, their teams, and their organizations, fostering more effective student-centered practices and decisions.
- Conduct action research to advance policy or practice improvements within their organization to drive meaningful change—while leveraging opportunities and navigating challenges.
- Build resilience and peer connections to stay committed to quality authorizing.
What to Expect
1-on-1 Coaching
Ongoing development and guidance through inquiry, reflection, thought partnership, and accountability.
Community
A supportive cohort that builds solidarity and trust, embraces growth through discomfort, expands perspectives, and enjoys the process.
Expertise
Leadership and authorizing development sessions led by NACSA staff and other thoughtful, experienced leaders.
Resources
Concrete, adaptable leadership and authorizing tools.
Applied Learning
A capstone project to pilot a new approach in your office.
A Lasting Network
Deepened professional relationships and ongoing
development opportunities through NACSA’s Leaders Alumni programs and
national network.
What the Program Requires
- Time commitment: Attend four in-person, three-day sessions (12 total days) and three to four virtual 90-minute sessions. Participate in ongoing coaching (up to one hour per week) and complete assigned work (details in FAQ). Full presence during sessions requires stepping away from your day-to-day office responsibilities.
- Organizational support: Secure your organization’s commitment to allow time away, to pilot new practices, and to financially contribute towards your participation.
- Investment in yourself: Complete self-assessments, set goals, and engage in regular 1-on-1 coaching. Be prepared to reflect on your values, lead with vulnerability, and embrace authentic growth—even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Investment in your colleagues: Actively contribute to your cohort’s learning by sharing perspectives, challenging assumptions, and supporting one another through growth and discomfort.
Program Content
Content is adapted to meet the needs and interests of the cohort. Each session will include topics in leadership and authorizing.
Authorizing topics may include:
- The New School Application
- Innovative School Models
- Choice and Charter Schools
- Accountability and Autonomy
- School Evaluation
- Ongoing Oversight and Intervention
- Renewal Decisions and Closure
- Topics in Authorizing and School Quality Research
Leadership topics may include:
- Values and Leadership
- Profiles of Leadership
- Change Management
- Political Mapping
- People Management
- Managing Up
Schedule
In Person Sessions
March 18-20, 2026
Location: Eaglewood Resort & Spa
Itasca, IL (Chicago area) (Tentative)
(arrival by 1pm day 1,
departure after 4pm day 3)
May 6-8, 2026
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
(Tentative)
(arrival by 1pm day 1,
departure after 4pm day 3)
August 12-14, 2026
Location: TBD
(arrival by 1pm day 1,
departure after 4pm day 3)
October 26-27, 2026
Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort
Nashville, TN
(NACSACon26)
(arrival by 11 am day 1, stay for
NACSACon after day 2)
Virtual Sessions
90-minute virtual sessions will be held during the months that Leaders do not meet in person. Tentative dates and times (CT):
• April 14, 12-1:30pm
• June 10, 12-1:30pm
• July 15, 12-1:30pm
• September 16, 12-1:30pm
Program Costs
NACSA’s overall cost is approximately $30,000 per Leaders Program participant which includes all sessions and materials, travel, lodging, meals, and coaching. The cost to each Leader is:
- NACSA Members: $2,500
- Non-members: $5,000
Cost does not include NACSACon 2026 registration or lodging/meals during the conference.
Cost does include travel and lodging/meals directly related to the program prior to NACSACon.
Financial assistance is available on a limited basis. Please reach out to David Greenberg ([email protected]) for more information.
Testimonials
“My cohort members are now lifelong friends and colleagues who support me in the work and provide amazing challenges and resources.”
“After the program, I read my self-assessments from the beginning of the program and could see the ways I grew or now thought differently.”
“This program was just what I needed at a time in my career where I couldn’t really get all the support I needed from my traditional circle of mentors and colleagues.”
“The capstone allowed me to go deeper than I could have on my own. The structure of it and accountability of reporting out at our meetings was especially helpful.”
“My coach offered me a balance of the professional and personal coaching I needed. She gave me real ways to incorporate our work into every week and followed up with me to walk through how things went—good and bad!”