Leadership Academy

Volusia Leadership Academy

The Volusia County School District recognizes the importance of developing the leadership potential of its current employees in an effort to promote individual professional growth and to ensure sustained continuous improvement for the district as a whole. District leaders need to understand the impact of leadership and possess the ability to provide direction and support which align, sustain, and enhance effective operations of the district.

The Volusia Leadership Academy, hereinafter referred to as the "Academy", is a two year leadership development program that will afford an opportunity to those in district level administrative roles to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful district leaders. Those interested in school-based administration should pursue Pathways to Principalship. Participants in Pathways to Principalship will acquire similar skills and knowledge through the Principal Internship, and it is not necessary for them to participate in the Academy if they are interested in district leadership positions as well.

The Academy curriculum is based upon 12 core leadership competencies and special skills required as identified by Superintendent's Staff as essential to functioning in upper level district positions.

Application Process

There are three levels of screening which lead to the selection of participants for the Academy. The 2013-2015 pilot cohort is open to the following job categories: Assistant Directors, Assistant Principals, Coordinators and Specialists. Interested applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Active Volusia County Schools administrative employee for the last three years
• Evaluations for the last three years which demonstrate success
• Clean Professional Standards record
• Bachelor's Degree

Level1 - Self Nomination

• Interested applicants are required to submit a resume (two page maximum) and letter of interest

• Applicants will be screened by Human Resources to determine if they meet the minimum qualifications
• Applicants selected to proceed to Level 2 will receive the Academy application. Applicants who are not selected to continue to Level 2 will be notified of their status

Level 2 - Application and References

• The Academy applications will be screened by Human Resources for completion

• Completed Academy applications will be forwarded to the Academy Application Review Committee. The Academy Application Review Committee will evaluate the applications based on an application rubric
• Level 2 applicants will be sorted/prioritized based upon their application rating. Top applicants will move on to Level 3

Level 3 - Interviews

• Level 3 applicants will be interviewed by the Leadership Academy Interview Team

• Level 3 applicants are rated by each team member and team members will develop a group rating for each applicant
• Level 3 applicants will be sorted/prioritized based upon their interview and application ratings
• The Leadership Academy Interview Team will submit the top Level 3 applicants to the Superintendent's Cabinet for review and selection

Academy Curriculum

Academy Curriculum and Schedule

Academy Manual