School Leader Fellow Program

Who We Are KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.   Mission Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.   What We Do At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
About the School Leader Fellow Program   KIPP SoCal Public Schools’ School Leader Fellow Program is a one or two year, job-embedded leadership residency program designed to prepare high-potential Assistant School Leaders to successfully transition into School Leader roles at KIPP SoCal Public Schools. Through authentic school leadership experiences, individualized development, coaching and mentoring, formal cohort learning, and competency-based assessment, Fellows develop and deepen the instructional, people, strategic, and adaptive skills necessary to successfully lead a KIPP SoCal school.   Through the fellowship, Fellows progressively take on expanded school leadership responsibilities and are expected to demonstrate both proficiency in core leadership skills and measurable impact on school and student outcomes. Four quarterly progression checkpoints are held throughout each fellowship year to assess Fellows’ progress toward their performance goals, leadership skill proficiency, and overall readiness for the School Leader role.    Why Apply?   The School Leader Fellow Program is KIPP SoCal's primary pathway from Assistant School Leader to School Leader. Over one to two years, Fellows take on progressively greater leadership responsibility with structured coaching and cohort learning built in, and receive:

• Placement on the Assistant School Leader salary table, with up to 3 years of past-experience credit for external candidates
• A completion bonus of up to $10,000 tied to program milestones
• Fully funded travel and coursework
• Individualized coaching from a Mentor School Leader and the Director of Leadership Development

Application Deadline #1: Friday, November 20, 2026

• Please note: If your candidacy progresses, you will be invited to pre-interviews currently planned for December 10-11, 2026. If you progress to the final selection event, we will invite you to approximately 1.5 days of interviews currently scheduled for January 14-15, 2027. Pre-interviews will be completed via Zoom, and the final selection event is will be an in-person event. Specific school-site placement for the program will be determined following the selection process.
• *Note: For external to KIPP SoCal candidates who successfully pass the pre-selection interview, a member of the KIPP SoCal team will conduct an in-person observation at your school site before the final interview. This experience typically lasts 1/2 a day and allows our team to see you in your element.

The fellowship year(s) will be comprised of the following components:

• Job-Embedded Residency: Fellows serve as full-time Assistant School Leaders at their residency schools and as members of the leadership team. Fellows take on authentic leadership responsibilities connected to instructional leadership, people leadership, school culture, strategic priorities, and school operations. Responsibilities increase over the course of the fellowship based on demonstrated readiness and development needs. Fellows are expected to contribute meaningfully to the success of their placement school, meet established performance goals, and act in alignment with the school leadership team’s vision and priorities.
• Individual Development Plan: Fellows engage in ongoing reflection and readiness assessment to identify priority development areas. In partnership with their Mentor School Leader and Director of Leadership Development, Fellows establish targeted development goals and experiences aligned to the leadership skills and competencies required for successful school leadership.
• Competency-Based Skill Assessment: Fellows are assessed on defined school leadership skills throughout the fellowship through authentic demonstrations of leadership practice. Fellows work with their Mentor School Leader and Director of Leadership Development to identify opportunities to practice, demonstrate, receive feedback on, and show proficiency in required leadership skills.
• Quarterly Progression Checkpoints: Fellows participate in four formal checkpoints throughout the year. During each checkpoint, Fellows analyze and present progress toward their school performance goals, student and school outcomes, leadership readiness, demonstrated leadership skills, and key leadership lessons. Checkpoints are used to assess progress, identify development priorities, and determine readiness for increasing levels of school leadership responsibility.
• Coaching and Mentorship: Fellows receive ongoing one-on-one coaching, mentorship, and feedback from their Mentor School Leader and the Director of Leadership Development. Fellows are expected to actively seek feedback, reflect on their leadership practice, and translate feedback into changes in leadership behavior and impact.
• Professional Development and Cohort Learning: Fellows participate in cohort-based professional learning aligned to the SLFP development roadmap. Learning experiences may include workshops, leadership case studies, simulations, peer learning, reflection, and application to Fellows’ current school leadership challenges.

Successful completion of the fellowship requires Fellows to demonstrate proficiency across required benchmarks and readiness expectations. 

Desired Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least  2 years of experience in an instructional school-wide leadership role (e.g., Assistant School Leader), with demonstrated academic impact, including at least 1 full year as an Assistant School Leader, by the start of the program
• 3+ years of teaching experience with demonstrated student performance results.
• Experience working in a school in which more than 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
• A demonstrated commitment to equity and anti-racist practices.

The following qualifications are strongly preferred:

• Possession of a valid California preliminary or CLEAR teaching credential or equivalent out of state credential.
• Possession of a valid California preliminary or CLEAR admin credential or equivalent out of state credential.
• Evidence of significant and consistent personal and professional achievement within the public charter school setting. For more information internal candidate and external candidate requirements, click here.

Application and Selection Process Dates

If you are a current KIPP team member, you are highly encouraged to discuss this opportunity with your manager before applying.

Candidates may apply through either of the two 2027-28 SLFP selection events:

Application Deadline #1: Friday, November 20, 2026- Please note: If your candidacy progresses, you will be invited to pre-interviews currently planned for December 10-11, 2026. If you progress to the final selection event, we will invite you to approximately 1.5 days of interviews currently scheduled for January 14-15, 2027. Pre-interviews will be completed via Zoom, and the final selection event is will be an in-person event. Specific school-site placement for the program will be determined following the selection process.

• *Note: For external to KIPP SoCal candidates who successfully pass the pre-selection interview, a member of the KIPP SoCal team will conduct an in-person observation at your school site before the final interview. This experience typically lasts 1/2 a day and allows our team to see you in your element. Application Deadline #2: Friday, February 26, 2027- Please note: If your candidacy progresses, you will be invited to pre-interviews currently planned for March 15-16, 2027. If you progress to the final selection event, we will invite you to approximately 1.5 days of interviews currently scheduled for April 15-16, 2027. Pre-interviews will be completed via Zoom, and the final selection event is will be an in-person event. Specific school-site placement for the program will be determined following the selection process.
• *Note: For external to KIPP SoCal candidates who successfully pass the pre-selection interview, a member of the KIPP SoCal team will conduct an in-person observation at your school site before the final interview. This experience typically lasts 1/2 a day and allows our team to see you in your element.

*For External Candidates: School-Site Visit
A vital part of our selection process for external candidates is an in-person visit to the candidate’s current school site. A member of the Talent Team or School Management Team will work directly with the candidate to schedule the visit. School visits typically last approximately 2-4 hours and should provide opportunities to observe the candidate’s leadership in action. When possible, visits will include classroom observations, coaching or adult development interactions, and schoolwide moments that allow our team to see the candidate's leadership with key school stakeholders, including students, families, teachers, and school leaders.

Application and Selection Process Components

Candidates who advance will participate in a multi-stage, competency-based selection process designed to assess readiness for the fellowship and alignment with the leadership skills required of KIPP SoCal School Leaders. Selection activities may include competency-based interviews, leadership case studies or simulations, review of past leadership impact and student outcomes, and reference checks.   Application Components   The School Leader Fellow Program application consists of the following components:- Resume

• Professional References Submitted with the Application
• *Current KIPP SoCal team members: Letters of reference from your School Leader and Director of Schools must be submitted directly to our Director of Leadership Development, Adriana Rodriguez (arodriguez@kippsocal.org).
• Please have your SL/DOS complete the designated SL and DOS forms:
• SL Reference Form
• DOS Reference Form  
• Student Performance Data
• Applicants should use the provided Student Performance Data Guidelines to complete this component.
• Short Response Questions
• Applicants will have the opportunity to respond via video or written response.

Professional References

Applicants must provide contact information for three professional references as part of their application. We recommend these three references include a current supervisor, a peer, and an individual the applicant manages. For each reference, please include their name, title, organization, relationship to you, email, and phone number.

If you advance in the selection process, KIPP SoCal will contact your references and request that they complete a recommendation form on your behalf. If you have questions or concerns about your references being contacted, please contact Eric DeSobe, Director of Talent Acquisition, at erdesobe@kippsocal.org directly.

Compensation

• Applicants selected to be a School Leader Fellow will be placed on KIPP SoCal's Assistant School Leader salary table.
• KIPP SoCal School Leader Fellows also receive a bonus worth up to $10,000 based on completion of key milestones during the program.
• External to KIPP SoCal candidates can receive up to 3 years past experience credit from equivalent leadership roles counted toward their placement on the Assistant School Leader table. That salary table placement is determined by the KIPP SoCal Talent Team using evidence gathered in the application and interview process.
• Additionally, all travel expenses and coursework associated with the fellowship are paid for by KIPP SoCal and/or the KIPP Foundation.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
  Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
  401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
  Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
  Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave and vacation
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)
• KIPP SoCal provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.   KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.