Urban Superintendents Academy

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Empowering Urban Leaders for Over a Decade

Large group of leaders from the Urban Superintendents Academy smiling

As our nation’s urban communities grow, so does the need for dynamic superintendents equipped to lead diverse school districts toward success. The Urban Superintendents Academy is your pathway to becoming a transformative leader! This academy, offered in partnership with Howard University and USC Rossier, prepares current and aspiring superintendents to tackle the unique challenges of urban education with confidence, creativity, and an unwavering focus on equity.

Academy Details

AASA offers two cohorts of the Urban Superintendents Academy in collaboration with two premier universities: 

Howard and USC Logos

Howard Academy USC Rossier Academy

Applications are due by August 1, 2025

The AASA-Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy is recognized as one of the premier programs in the country. The academy aims to address disparities in educational leadership by cultivating a network of leaders ready to assume superintendent roles, especially in districts with large and diverse populations.

Nonmember Price: $6,500

AASA Member Discounted Price: $6,000

Apply Today

The program fee includes an assigned mentor, all course materials, catered meals during the Academy meetings, access to all online course materials, collaboration tools and relevant resources.

Just 10% of our nation’s superintendents are persons of color. This program is designed to change that.

By participating, you’ll gain:

  • Expert Knowledge: Learn from the nation’s top thought leaders in urban education.
  • 21st-Century Leadership Skills: Master the strategies needed to navigate community relations, district politics, and equity-centered decision-making.
  • Real-World Experience: Develop action plans to address the challenges faced by today’s urban superintendents.
  • Mentorship and Networking: Join a supportive community of peers and mentors dedicated to advancing equity and excellence in education.
Academy Dates

Academy Leads

Partners

The Rossier School of Education at USC has a long and proud legacy of training educational leaders who serve in school districts throughout the nation. Through our partnership with AASA we are able to bring our expertise to prepare a new generation of urban district leaders to confront the most complex challenges facing schools today. 

Pedro Noguera

Dean, USC Rossier School of Education

If you want to be a change agent, if you want to see all children be successful, and more importantly, those children who historically have been disadvantaged, if you want to push your own thinking and your own perception of reality, then you need to join the urban superintendents program.

Kimberly Mackey

Principal, San Francisco Unified, Calif.

Details

August 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026

See Academy Details and Dates section for additional information and application links.

Contact

  • Jessica Gordon

    Program Manager, Leadership Network

    AASA, The School Superintendents Association

    jgordon@aasa.org

    703-875-0704

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Premier professional learning for educational leaders at any stage of their careers.

No matter where you are in your leadership journey, AASA’s Leadership Network programs help you grow and thrive to support you in meeting the needs of your school community!

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