School Founders Program

School Founders Program

Overview: A highly-selective yearlong fellowship for aspiring charter school founders in Alabama. This is NSFA's premier principal program designed to identify and nurture academic, ethical, and engaging leaders to launch high-rigor, high-innovation schools.

Award Structure:

Duration: Full-time, full-stipend fellowship (one year)

Stipend Amount: Not specified in provided content

Provides continuous development in adaptive and technical components of effective leadership

Geographic Scope: Alabama

Eligibility:

High-impact educational leaders

Current or aspiring school principals

Experienced teachers with leadership aspirations

Must have deep experience and expertise in instruction and school leadership

Program Components:

Intentional development in:

- Instruction
- Operations
- Finance
- Governance

Partnership with local communities

Support for launching high-performing, community-rooted schools

Focus on character and leadership development

Student identity and culture affirmation

Selection Process:

Highly selective admission process

Selection of annual cohorts (third cohort selected in August 2022)

Recent Cohorts:

2022 Cohort: Miriam Moore, Dr. Calandra Sales, Ladera Frazier, Dr. Mary Holloway

Fellows partner with established networks (e.g., Phalen Schools, Montgomery Education Foundation)

Contact Information:

Website: https://www.newschoolsforalabama.org/school-founders-program

For details contact: New Schools for Alabama

Phone: 205-549-3214

Leadership Statement: Dr. Mike Brown, NSFA's Chief Schools Officer, emphasizes that identifying and nurturing leaders is "our greatest lever" for creating life-changing educational options.