[August 5, 2008]
The Principal Eligibility List includes candidates who are currently eligible and may be seeking a CPS principalship. The list will be updated every Monday.Current principals are generally not included in this list, but they are eligible.
[August 5, 2007]
Eligible candidates please update your contact information with OPPD. More information can be found here.
[Upcoming Dates]
Portfolio Submission: August 21 & 22
Portfolios will not be accepted early.

Our Mission:
Effective leadership is at the core of improving and sustaining the quality of education for all Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students. This improvement is guided by the CPS theory of change which identifies the school as the unit of change and the principal as the leader of that change. The mission of the Office of Principal Preparation and Development is to develop and ensure high-quality principal leadership in every school. The scope of work involves four responsibilities:
1. Identify and develop aspiring principals to meet the challenges of a CPS principalship
2. Develop and support new principals
3. Provide continual development opportunities for experienced principals
4. Recruit principals in and out of Chicago.
- Develop and Articulate a Belief System through Voice and Actions
- Engage and Develop Faculty
- Assess the Quality of Classroom Instruction
- Facilitate and Motivate Change
- Balance Management
Chicago Public Schools Competencies
The CPS Principal Competencies are the district’s leadership framework. Aligned with national standards, these five competencies identify what CPS values in a leader. Furthermore, the CPS Principal Competencies present a holistic approach to instructional leadership:
Through research, committee work, focus groups, and a Blue Ribbon Task Force of civic and educational leaders, the Office of Principal Preparation and Development facilitated the development of the CPS Principal Competencies.
These competencies provide a clear description of instructional and managerial leadership in CPS. The Competencies do not replace but support a standards-based leadership model. Link to Alignment documents
To download the CPS Principal Competencies with the performance indicators, click here.
Principals in the Spotlight
OPPD is looking to spotlight current CPS principals and their respective schools both in print and through our website. Send us photos of your school at work, at play or anywhere in between, along with a brief bit about the school itself and how you envision your role. If your school is selected, we will follow up with you later to find out more. Please submit high resolution photos so that we can ensure they are print friendly. You can direct all photos, stories and inquiries to Ted Williams.
Web Site Overview
This Web site provides information about OPPD services and successes.
The navigation bar will direct you with the following information:
• About Us: Information about OPPD
• Aspiring Candidates: Information for and about aspiring principals—including the CPS Principal Eligibility Process
• New Principals: Information about opportunities for new CPS Principals
• Partners: A summary and the links of organizations that help OPPD carry out its mission
• AIOs, CPS Principals, and Mentors: Information about how AIOs, CPS principals, and mentors can support aspiring principals as they develop their instructional leadership abilities.