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Academy Catalog
A Distinctive Experience: What Makes This Academy Different
The ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Women Leaders is intentionally designed to complement other ACSA Academies, offering a deeper, more immersive leadership experience for women at a critical point in their leadership journey.
Unlike traditional academies that focus primarily on role-based leadership fundamentals, this academy supports women who are exploring, preparing for, or discerning readiness for the superintendency. It is designed and led exclusively by current and retired women superintendents, creating an environment grounded in lived experience, credibility, and trust.
What distinguishes this academy is its intentional emphasis on sustained access to women superintendents, immersive in-person learning, national network expansion, and embedded mentorship and coaching—elements that are thoughtfully reflected in both the design and investment of the program.
This academy is designed to prepare women to pursue the superintendency and to ensure they are ready to lead, sustain, and thrive.
Academy Information & Application
Intended Audience
This academy is designed for women educational leaders who:
- Are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency
- Are exploring whether the superintendent role aligns with their leadership goals, values, and life priorities
- Seek thoughtful preparation, mentorship, and sponsorship from experienced women superintendents
- Value learning in community with other accomplished women leaders
- Are committed to equity-driven leadership and system-level impact
Participants may include district leaders from California and across the western United States who are looking for a regionally grounded, nationally connected leadership development experience.
The ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Women Leaders is a cohort-based leadership development experience designed to support, prepare, and elevate women leaders who are considering, exploring, or actively pursuing the superintendency.
Based in California and developed in partnership with ACSA and AASA, this academy serves women leaders across California and the western region of the United States, offering a West Coast pathway aligned with AASA’s national leadership development efforts.
Building on the success of AASA’s nationally recognized Aspiring Women Leaders academy, this program responds to the unique professional, political, and personal realities women face as they contemplate and prepare for district-level leadership. The academy is grounded in the belief that women lead best when they are deeply supported, well-prepared, and connected to a powerful professional network — and when leadership is centered in equity, access, and opportunity for all students and communities.
Program Purpose
- Develop confidence, clarity, and readiness for the superintendent role.
- Support women who are exploring whether the superintendency is the right next step for their leadership journey.
- Provide authentic, experience-based learning grounded in real superintendent leadership.
- Strengthen equity-driven leadership practices that advance inclusive, just, and student-centered systems.
- Create a trusted network of women leaders who learn from and support one another.
- Strengthen the pipeline of women superintendents across California and the western United States.
Meeting Formats
Participants attend six one- or two-day sessions either virtually or in person. See the session dates and locations below for complete details.
Registration
Interested candidates must submit an application prior to being approved for registration.
ACSA Members — $4,600
Non-Members — $4,900
Register with Credit Card or Purchase Order
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
Schedule
ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Women Leaders
Hybrid Format (in person and virtual)
Directors: Candace Singh & Zandra Jo Galván
- Session 1: Sept. 18-19, 2026 (In person, Sacramento, CA)
- Session 2: Oct. 8, 2026 (Virtual)
- Session 3: Nov. 3, 2026 (In person, Chula Vista, CA)
- Session 4: Feb. 23-24, 2027 (In person, Atlanta, GA)
- Session 5: March 11, 2027 (Virtual)
- Session 6: April 16-17, 2026 (In person, Sacramento, CA)
Meet the Directors
Candace Singh
Zandra Jo Galván
Apply to join this uniquely immersive experience.
C&I Leaders Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
Superintendents; Assistant Superintendents of Instruction; Project Directors; Curriculum Directors; Intervention Specialists; site administrators; district and county office administrators, including those aspiring to central office curriculum and instructional leadership; School Board Members
Themes Include
- Quality instruction for all.
- Meeting diverse student needs.
- Leading system change and transition.
- State and federal mandates and accountability.
- Personalizing learning in standards-based systems.
- Instructional materials selection (traditional, online, electronic, open-source).
- Meeting student needs with coordinated funding (Local Control and Accountability Plan – LCAP).
- Implementation of the California State Standards for ELA, ELD, Math, History-Social Science, and Next Generation Science.
- Student assessments: formative and summative (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium – SBAC).
- Literacy in core content areas.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 80 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
Equity Administrators Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
District and site administrators, including Superintendents; Assistant Superintendents; Equity Administrators; County Office Administrators; those responsible for LCAP implementation, interested in educational equity, and in closing achievement gaps in their schools and districts; School Board Members
Themes Include
- Building cultural proficiency to advance educational equity.
- Leading and designing for equity in complex systems for setting goals and planning actions in LCAPs (Local Control and Accountability Plan) and SPSAs (Single Plan for Student Achievement).
- Using data as an equity engine to set goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes.
- Creating a strategic plan and vision for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Developing continuous improvement systems for aligning local, state and federal priorities, and for allocating and leveraging resources.
- Engaging family and community partners for equity and excellence.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 70 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
Personnel Administrators Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
Superintendents; Assistant Superintendents and Directors of Human Resources; district and county office personnel administrators and managers; certificated and classified personnel staff; Site Administrators
Themes Include
Personnel Department Organization
- Role of the personnel manager.
- Organizing the certificated/classified personnel office.
- Technology in human resource management.
- Job description/reclassification/compensation.
Employee Management
- Evaluating employees.
- Staffing needs and recruitment.
- Employee counseling techniques.
- Employer-employee relations.
- Budget, salary, benefits.
Legal Aspects
- Due process.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO).
- State and federal laws and regulations.
- Layoff and termination.
Staff Development
- Troubleshooting special personnel problems.
- Professional advancement opportunities.
- Induction, orientation.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 70 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
ACSA Members — Hybrid Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Hybrid Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
Principals Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
New and aspiring principals; assistant and vice principals; Academic Coaches and new district or county office administrators responsible for supporting principals
Themes Include
- Principal leadership.
- Leading the implementation of the California State Standards.
- High quality instruction.
- Learning assessments.
- Change and growth.
- Leadership in challenging times.
- School climate and culture.
- Social Emotional Learning.
- Finance.
- Personnel/school law.
- Communication.
The extensive course syllabus and materials provided to participants are exceptional resources for ongoing reference and career planning.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 80 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
- organization and cultural environment,
- dynamics of strategic issues management,
- ethical and reflective leadership,
- analysis and development of public policy, and
- management of information systems and human and fiscal resources
For CTC-approved Clear Administrative Services Credential programs, and with prior approval of the credentialing program leadership, academy hours may be used toward completing annual required professional development requirements.
Pupil Services Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
Assistant/associate superintendents of Student Services; (general and Special Education) district administrators including coordinators and directors responsible for child welfare and attendance; district and county office pupil services administrators; site administrators; school counselors; school psychologists; those aspiring to pupil services leadership; school board members.
Themes Include
- Enrollment Processes.
- Equity and Due Process.
- Leadership in Interagency Coordination and Community Outreach.
- Accountability and Evaluation.
- School Attendance and School Attendance Review Board (SARB).
- Alternatives to Discipline and Behavior Issues
- Safe Schools
- Suspension and Expulsion.
- School Placements, Transfers, and Appeals.
- Student Records, Confidentiality, and Custody Issues.
- Home and Hospital Instruction.
- Section 504 Issues.
- Intervention: Pre-Referral through Referral Process.
- Advocacy for Students.
- Registration Pupil Services.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 70 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
School Business Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
Superintendents and Cabinet members; newly appointed and aspiring Chief Business Officials; Educational Services and Human Resources administrators, principals, and other district staff seeking an in-depth introduction to school business operations; School Board Members.
Themes Include
Leadership, Organization and Personnel Relationships in Business Service
- Selection, training and supervision of staff.
- Superintendent, CBO, board relations.
- Strategic planning.
- Legislation and advocacy.
- Leadership and relationships.
- Collective bargaining.
- Collaboration and internal controls between business services and human resources departments.
- Communications within school business department.
Budget Preparation and Control
- Legal provisions and restrictions.
- Estimating attendance, enrollments, income and expenditures.
- Budget, calendar planning and development.
- Development of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
- Managing school district budgets including site-based and curriculum-driven budgets with an equity lens.
- Fiscal oversight.
School Finance, Accounting and Auditing
- Standard account code structures.
- History of school finance.
- Financing alternatives.
- Understanding the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
- Special Education funding, programs and efficiency.
- Purpose of auditing.
- Attendance accounting.
- Associated Student Body (ASB)/booster group accounting.
Business Operations
- Facilities planning, and financing.
- Purchasing and contracts.
- Pupil transportation.
- Food services.
- Technology and information management.
- Risk management.
- Maintenance and operations.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 100 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
- organization and cultural environment,
- dynamics of strategic issues management,
- ethical and reflective leadership,
- analysis and development of public policy, and
- management of information systems and human and fiscal resources
in consideration of the larger implications of funding and accountability relevant to special education, and to local control accountability planning and the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
The academy highlights legal and practical implementation features related to special education topics and themes, and provides a firm foundation for working within the educational services realms of general education and special education at the site and district level.
For CTC-approved Clear Administrative Services Credential programs, and with prior approval of the credentialing program leadership, academy hours may be used toward completing annual required professional development requirements.
Special Education Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
Assistant superintendents and directors of Special Education or Student Services; program coordinators, intervention specialists; county office, charter, district and site administrators responsible for special education at the school, district or SELPA levels; aspiring special education administrators; those seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in service to students.
Themes Include
- Historical and statewide perspective of special education.
- Section 504 and ADA regulations and requirements.
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Universal Design for Learning for all students.
- Assessment and procedural safeguards for ensuring a quality IEP.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution.
- Mediation and Due Process hearings.
- Disciplinary protections for students with disablilities
- Curriculum, instruction and California State Standards for special education students.
- State and Federal laws affecting special education.
- Disproportionality and Significant Disproportionality.
- Emerging multilingual and multicultural learners.
- Advocacy for students with disabilities.
- Current issues facing special education, including legal hot topics.
- Funding and budget development.
- Human resources, credentialing and staffing, and evaluation of special education programs.
- Educational reform inclusive of special education.
- Expansion of early learning programs.
- State and Federal accountability and evaluation.
- Special education transitions.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 70 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
Superintendents Academy Information & Registration
Intended Audience
New superintendents and superintendent/principals; assistant superintendents and cabinet members; principals responsible for district operations; district and county office administrators including those aspiring to the superintendency.
Themes Include
The Superintendency
- Leadership role of superintendents.
- Managing the change process.
- Ethical and reflective leadership.
- Challenges facing new superintendents.
- Keys to personal advancement.
- Equity-minded leadership.
District Management
- School district organization.
- Management skills.
- Community partnerships.
- Developing a positive district climate.
- Strategic planning.
Human Relations
- Instructional/management team building.
- Shared decision making and restructuring.
- Board/superintendent relations.
- Negotiations and collective bargaining.
- Personnel management, evaluation and employee relations.
Instructional Leadership
- Staff development.
- Improving and evaluating instructional programs.
- Instructional materials selection, censorship and critical curriculum issues.
- Educational technology uses in management and instruction.
Policies and Procedures
- Superintendent contracts.
- California law and the superintendency.
- School finance and budgeting.
- Implementing the Ed Code and other state regulations.
The ACSA Superintendents Academy is widely regarded as the “fast track” into the superintendency. The academy helps participants avoid pitfalls, learn practical tips from seasoned superintendents, and build a resource network of colleagues. The extensive course syllabus and materials provided to each participant are exceptional resources for ongoing reference.
Meeting Formats
Participants experience 70 hours of professional learning over eight extended Academy weekends in a Virtual/Online meeting format for 10 hours per weekend.
The academy meets on Fridays, 5:00-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.*
*Please note that Saturday hours may vary.
Registration
ACSA Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
ACSA Members — Hybrid Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Virtual Cohort: TBA
Non-Members — Hybrid Cohort: TBA
Register with Credit Card, Purchase Order or 3-Month Installment Payment Plan
- Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
- A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.
- Under extenuating circumstances, you can setup a three-month installment payment plan and pay in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.
Schedule
2026-2027 Schedule TBA
Registration will open June 1.
FAQ About ACSA Academies
Academy Scholarships
ACSA offers academy scholarship funding for members with financial need to attend job-specific academies. Academy scholarships are awarded exclusively for academy participation.
Eligibility Requirements
Regular ACSA members who have a commitment to educational quality, student achievement and professional growth, who can demonstrate a financial need, and who have not previously been awarded an academy scholarship.
Scholarship Amounts
Eight $500 scholarships and one $1,000 scholarship (for superintendents only) will be awarded to recipients selected by the Academy Scholarships Selection Committee.
Application Deadline
Applications and related materials must be submitted directly to state ACSA through the 2026-27 Academy Scholarship Application Form, deadline TBA for 2026-27. Recipients will be notified in writing. Please email Trish Elmore with any questions.