NNPS National Board Certification Cohort

NNPS is proud to support a cohort of educators pursuing National Board Certification, the profession’s highest mark of accomplished teaching. This multi-year journey challenges teachers to reflect on their practice, strengthen content knowledge, and refine instructional strategies to better meet the needs of all students. While teachers do the deep work of learning and growth, NNPS provides ongoing support through the cohort model, monthly sessions, and one-on-one guidance. The certification process not only advances professional growth and classroom impact but also creates pathways for leadership and career advancement, helping build an even stronger school community.

Aspiring Leaders Academy

The Aspiring Leaders Academy (ALA) prepares future school leaders to excel in the complex work of educational administration as assistant principals. Participants engage in meaningful, authentic learning that sharpens their leadership skills and equips them to guide school communities with confidence.

Admission to ALA is highly selective. Each year, a small cohort of qualified applicants is chosen to participate in this yearlong program of focused development and support.

Are you interested in learning more? Check out our FAQs for additional details.

Aspiring Principals Academy

The Aspiring Principals Academy is an advanced leadership development program created to intentionally prepare future principals within Newport News Public Schools. This academy focuses on cultivating the skills and dispositions essential for leading entire school communities, with an emphasis on instructional leadership and organizational excellence. Participants take part in targeted learning experiences that mirror the real challenges of the principalship, while also receiving personalized coaching and opportunities to collaborate with current principals and division leaders.

The academy admits a select cohort of candidates each year through a competitive application process. Participation requires the Admin and Supervision PreK–12 endorsement, experience as a current leader, and a demonstrated commitment to leading as a principal in NNPS. The Aspiring Principals Academy serves as a critical step in the division’s leadership pipeline, ensuring that schools are led by highly-skilled leaders who are ready to make an immediate impact.

Are you interested in learning more? Check out our FAQs for additional details.

NNPS-Old Dominion University Leadership Cohort

The NNPS Leads – Grow Your Own program is a partnership between Newport News Public Schools and Old Dominion University that develops future educational leaders through advanced study. Participants pursue either a Master’s or Education Specialist degree while gaining the knowledge, skills, and experiences essential for today’s complex leadership roles.

Our current ODU leadership cohort is in progress and scheduled to graduate in December 2026. While recruitment for a future cohort is not open at this time, NNPS remains committed to growing strong leaders from within the division to ensure every school has the leadership it needs to thrive.

NNPS-University of Virginia Reading Cohort

NNPS currently has a cohort of teachers earning their Master’s degrees in Reading Education from the University of Virginia. This advanced degree gives educators the flexibility to pursue a variety of paths - serving as reading specialists who support schoolwide literacy programs, working as interventionists to provide intensive instruction for students in need, or remaining in the classroom to apply advanced strategies that strengthen daily instruction and deepen student learning.