Our commitment

Diversifying the leader workforce

For more than two decades, PLI has successfully recruited, trained, and supported a diverse group of aspiring school leaders. A typical PLI cohort comprises more than 50 percent BIPOC future leaders. Considering that only 34 percent of California school principals are people of color, PLI strives to have a direct and immediate impact on diversifying the leader workforce to advance excellence and equity in education for all students.

We seek applicants with a range of leadership experiences who have a desire to work in historically underserved schools. We encourage applicants from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and languages. We hope to admit students who represent the diverse backgrounds of the school populations they will serve.

« PLI is a well that I deliberately and subconsciously draw from. Knowing how to be equity-centered—not just in speaking or writing, but in the specifics of how racism impacts schools and school systems— is a foundation of PLI. » —PAUL

KOH, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES, WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, PLI COHORT 9

Admissions cycle

EARLY SEPTEMBER

PLI information sessions begin

MID-SEPTEMBER Application opens

MID-DECEMBER Application deadline

EARLY FEBRUARY

Notification of interviews

MID-FEBRUARY Applicant interviews

EARLY MARCH

Financial aid deadline

MARCH

Preliminary acceptances

APRIL

Final acceptances

MAY

Pre-seminars begin

MID-JUNE Program begins

For current dates, see Timeline for Application Cycle at principals. berkeley.edu/apply

Admissions requirements

• At least five years of full-time classroom teaching or pupil personnel services experience, with verification

• Basic Skills Requirement (e.g. passing score on California Basic Education Test: CBEST)

• Current valid California clear teaching or pupil personnel services credential

• High-quality teaching experience, evidenced by a recent teaching video

• Admissions essays demonstrating commitment to justice-oriented school leadership

• Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s leadership experience and potential

• Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA threshold may still be considered for admissions; for details, see Entrance Exams/Academic Potential at principals.berkeley.edu/apply Apply principals.berkeley.edu/apply