Leaders Program candidates: 1) currently work in an authorizing office; 2) are committed to personal and professional growth; 3) are able to attend Leaders Program sessions.
We look for individuals with a commitment to authorizing, a track record of taking initiative, and a desire to build on their experience. While we do not require participants to hold a particular position, strong candidates generally have significant people and/or project management responsibilities and influence in decision making in their offices.
To offset program costs, participants pay $2,500 (NACSA Members) or $5,000 (Non- members).
Transportation expenses for travel to in-person sessions are reimbursed by NACSA. Lodging expenses, if not booked directly by NACSA, are reimbursed. Meals and snacks are provided on site.
Financial assistance is available on a limited basis. Please reach out to David Greenberg [email protected] for more information.
Leaders are required to attend four in-person, three-day sessions (12 total days).
In addition to the in-person sessions, participants attend three to four virtual 90- minute sessions and participate in ongoing coaching (up to one hour per week). Leaders have assigned pre-work including readings prior to the first session and between all subsequent sessions. While the time needed to complete pre-work varies by participant and by session, participants spend approximately 4 to 8 hours on pre-work prior to each in-person session and 1 hour prior to each virtual session.
NACSA makes selection decisions based on the strength of the applicants, so the number of participants varies year to year. Past cohorts have had 10 to 12 participants. We limit each cohort to a maximum of 12 to accommodate the highly interactive delivery format.
Past cohorts have included individuals from all types of authorizing environments (districts, ICBs, universities, etc.) and serving in a variety of capacities (Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, Managers of Accountability, etc.). NACSA seeks established heads of authorizing offices and emerging leaders who reflect the diversity and experiences of students in charter schools throughout the country. Leaders generally have significant people and/or project management responsibilities and influence in decision making in their offices.
Topics generally fall into the areas of authorizing practice and leadership (self, people, organization). Authorizing topics lean into NACSA’s Principles & Standards, accountability and autonomy, and emerging authorizing practices. Leadership topics include aligning your work and your values, characteristics of effective leaders, relationship building, people management, and change management. NACSA determines topics relevant to authorizing and leadership based on each cohort’s needs.
Each pair is expected to meet by phone or video conference roughly once a week, and coaches and leaders will meet in person at the first and last sessions.
NACSA provides various opportunities to remain engaged with fellow cohort members and program alumni to continue learning, share best practices, and drive innovation in the field. Leaders alumni have presented at Leaders Program sessions or at NACSACon, served as Leaders Program coaches, and contributed articles and testimonials for NACSA’s blog and newsletter. NACSA also hosts in-person alumni convenings, where Leaders can broaden and deepen their network, grapple with problems of practice, and consider trends in education.
Ready to apply? Fill out the Phase I application by November 21, 2025. Have more questions? Email David Greenberg ([email protected]).