Leadership Development

Career Academy Leaders' Collaborative (CALC)

This innovative leadership program is designed for educators and business and community partners who are looking to hone and develop their leadership skills within the career academy model.

Program Overview

“CALC” is a year-long fellowship that includes three in-person workshops and ongoing virtual support. The program is designed to help experienced career academy leaders develop expertise in the National Standards of Practice (NSOP) and learn how to implement the Standards with equity and fidelity. Fellows will also learn and apply leadership techniques, including adaptive leadership, storytelling, and systems change management. Upon completion, Fellows will become a part of an ongoing community of practice that focuses on support, resource sharing, and research-based best practices in career academy leadership.

Benefits

Participants gain:

  • An NSOP-focused leadership action plan for your role at your school or district
  • An academy-tested implementation toolbox
  • A story about their academy(ies) that can be communicated to different audiences for different purposes
  • A community of practice among their peers

Partners 

First established in 2017, the Career Academy Leaders’ Collaborative is designed and led by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) in partnership with the Education Development Center (EDC). NCAC and EDC share a joint mission of empowering and equipping students to succeed in college, careers, and the future economic landscape. Both organizations advance professional learning for leaders to enact transformational and sustainable change within their schools and communities.

Intended Participants

The Collaborative is designed for educators and partners who have some familiarity with the career academy model. Registration of leadership teams is encouraged; these could include teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, school and district administrators, and advisory board members.

Requirements

It is expected that all participating Fellows will attend all three in-person meetings in their entirety. Travel should be scheduled to allow for full participation.

How to Apply

Each year, NCAC accepts a limited number of registrants for each cohort. Registration is now open for the 2025-2026 Cohort.

Mainland CALC 2025  | 2026 Cohort  – Dates and Locations

Cost: $4,000 

Meeting 1 – August 27-29, 2025, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (Nashville, TN)  

Meeting 2 – November 11-13, 2025, Grand Prairie School District (Grand Prairie, TX)

Meeting 3 – February 24-26, 2026, Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville, KY)

<< Click here to fill out the Mainland CALC application >>

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Hawaii CALC | 2025 – 2026 Cohort – Dates and Locations

Cost: $4,550 (includes all materials and registration for the NCAC National Conference)

Meeting 1 – October 18-19, 2025, Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel (Honolulu, HI) 

Meeting 2 – December 9-10, 2025, Castle High School (Kaneohe, HI)

Meeting 3 – January 13-14, 2026, Pearl City High School (Pearl City, HI)

<< Click here to fill out the Hawaii CALC application >>

Interested?

Reach out to Connie Majka, Director of Leadership Programs

Student Ambassador Training

NCAC’s Student Brand Ambassador Certification Program provides leadership training for elementary, middle, and high school students.

NCAC trainers prepare a group of student leaders who will serve as your school’s brand ambassadors committed to helping your Academies grow and thrive. The program ensures that the ambassadors are well-prepared to represent their schools and districts. The training will be delivered at your school, making it cost-efficient and convenient for the students. You can choose from a customized one, two, or three-day training package.

Interested?

Reach out to Dr. Kelly Henderson, Director of Professional Learning

Free Resource

Download our Free Academy Rubrics

Get a jump start in evaluating your current standing and potential areas for improvement.

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