Mission Statement

CLASS provides high quality leadership development that transforms and improves individuals and organizations.

About CLASS

CLASS has been a leader in providing educational leadership development services in the Chicago area for over ten years. The only Chicago principal development program serving aspiring to veteran school leaders, CLASS, boasts a staff of former school leaders who are also well-versed and credentialed as national staff developers.

Program participants from CLASS serve in the highest levels of leadership within the district as well as in some of the top performing schools. CLASS program participants have been appointed as turnaround specialists at under performing schools, after demonstrating a proven track record of leading dramatic school improvement efforts. Graduates of CLASS provide the leadership necessary to realize healthy organizations and elicit high student achievement.

FAQ

What is CLASS?

CLASS is an organization providing leadership development workshops and training for school leaders from aspiring to veteran principals and administrators in the Chicago-land area and beyond.

Is CLASS part of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA)?

CLASS is the professional development arm of CPAA sharing space and many of the same constituents. Whereas CPAA strives to improve the working conditions of principals and administrators through information, advocacy, and legal assistance, CLASS provides principals, administrators and other school leaders with workshops and development opportunities to enhance their professional growth.

What is the relationship between CLASS & the Chicago Public Schools (CPS)?

The CLASS professional development directors have all been administrators or principals in CPS. Many of the clients we serve are currently employed by CPS.

Who can take advantage of the offerings of CLASS and how does one go about accessing these services?

Though some CLASS offerings are geared toward a specific audience (aspiring principals, newly-hired principals, assistant principals, experienced principals, Illinois Type 75 certificate holders), they are open to educators and others interested in leadership development throughout the Chicago-land area and beyond. Each link to a leadership development offering includes registration information.

How do CLASS offerings compare to those offered by other leadership development service providers?

CLASS staff members all have first-hand, school-level leadership development experience as Chicago principals. They also enjoy extensive training as professional development specialists. CLASS links research and best practice for adult learners offerings that provide practical, hands-on skills and knowledge along with job-embedded, sustainable support. As an added benefit CLASS houses the Illinois Administrators Academy which provides mandated professional development offerings that fulfill state certification requirements.