We Elevate Schools by Empowering Our Leaders

Behind every successful school is an ecosystem of strong dedicated leaders at multiple levels of the organization.. When leaders grow, teachers stay and students thrive! Leaders set the tone, build the culture, and create spaces where teachers can do their best work and students can reach their full potential.

The Impact We Create Together

We’ve partnered with nearly 500 leaders across 175 schools, positively impacting approximately 300,000 students.

100% of alumni currently in school-based leadership roles say their experience with us has significantly shaped their effectiveness and commitment to staying in the role. 92% of supervisors across all programs report measurable growth in their leaders’ performance. 98% of our leaders’ direct reports see a clear improvement in their professional development.

We support leadership at every level of the school ecosystem, partnering with teacher leaders, assistant principals, instructional coaches, principals, chief academic officers, principal managers, and executive directors.

And with 100% of participants recommending our programs, the results speak for themselves.

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View Our Impact Report

Independent Evaluation by Bellwether Education Partners

In March 2025, we partnered with Bellwether Education Partners, a national nonprofit that works with education organizations to deepen their impact, inform policy, and advance equity. Bellwether conducted an independent evaluation of School Leader Lab to assess how our programs influence leadership capacity, leader retention, and school conditions that foster success. 

Purpose of the Report

The evaluation analyzed program data, conducted interviews with current and former participants, and gathered feedback from colleagues and supervisors to answer three core questions: 

  1. How does School Leader Lab participation impact the overall school conditions that foster success? 
  2. What is the relationship between program participation and leader retention? 
  3. Do school-level outcomes such as teacher retention improve when a School Leader Lab participant leads a school?

Key Findings

  • School Leader Lab helps leaders craft and implement a clear, student-centered vision for school transformation. 
  • Leaders gain tools, frameworks, and facilitation practices that improve team effectiveness and decision-making. 
  • We promote shared leadership models that build trust, distribute responsibilities, and strengthen school culture. 
  • Participants join a community of peers that sustains their growth beyond the program. 
  • Since 2020, 100% of School Leader Cohort principals and Assistant Principal Leadership Academy participants have persisted as school leaders as of 2025. 
  • Teacher retention in schools led by our alumni is similar to other D.C. schools, and Bellwether recommends further study over time, especially in schools with multiple SLL alumni.

Our Programs Create a Community Where Leaders Learn and Grow Together.

We focus on:

  • Building skills that matter in real school settings
  • Connecting leaders who face similar challenges
  • Providing personalized coaching and feedback
  • Creating spaces for honest conversations about education

Our Theory of Change

Education leaders at every level of the pipeline will have the necessary development and support to be inspirational people leaders who champion rigorous learning, build schools where everyone belongs, and drive impact and change year over year.

By delivering a comprehensive PD experience to leaders at multiple levels of the pipeline through cohorts, 1:1 coaching, and tailored technical assistance….

  • School leadership pipelines will become increasingly coherent in their approach to leadership.
  • Schools will grow and strengthen sustainable leadership pipelines that support retention and career advancement for leaders in education.
  • Leaders will remain in their leadership roles for longer, enabling them to set and pursue big goals to transform their schools over time.
  • Leaders will create environments where everyone belongs, leading to:
    • Increased retention of teachers and staff
    • Improved student outcomes
    • A community of School Leader Lab alumni with shared language, skills, and purpose will serve as leaders in schools at every level in the pipeline.

Ready to see what’s possible?

Let’s work together to create lasting change, empower your leaders, and build a future where every student thrives.