Application Deadline: May 16, 2025

We intend to launch two new cohorts of the Minnesota Principals Academy in the summer or early fall of 2025. One cohort will take place in the Twin Cities and one will take place in greater Minnesota. We are currently seeking input from school and district leaders from around the state to determine where the 2025-2027 Minnesota Principals Academy regional cohort in greater Minnesota will be held. If your region has an interest in bringing the Academy to a location that can serve 25-30 school leaders, please review the application procedure here. All regional cohort applications are due March 1, 2025. Additionally, please consider contacting Dr. Pekel (kpekel@umn.edu).

If you’re interested in applying for the Twin Cities Cohort, you can do so on this page using the application below. All individual applications to participate in the 2025-27 Twin Cities cohort are due on or before May 16, 2025.

Cost

The cost of the program is $7,000/participant. Currently, half of that cost is covered for public school leaders through legislative funding appropriated to the Minnesota Department of Education. The remaining $3,500 is paid over two fiscal years, leaving each participant’s district responsible for $1,750 per year. This legislative funding is expected to continue through 2027.

Selection Factors

Applicants must have:

1. Leadership responsibility for an entire school or program (principal, assistant principal, special education director, etc.)
2. If assistant principal, exercised responsibility for instructional programming (beyond student discipline)
3. An interest in improving as an instructional leader and improving academic outcomes for students
4. A commitment to leading a Minnesota school/program for at least 3 more years

Application

By applying, applicants agree to seek Superintendent or supervisor approval to attend all 28 days of content, pay the $3500 program fee over two academic years, and engage in the culminating Action Learning Project.