Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence

 

The Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence brings together about 20 to 25 principals annually from across New York City public schools for a full year of transformative professional learning. The Fellowship is a cohort-based experience that develops self-knowledge, systems awareness, and provides continued support beyond the Fellowship. Through peer guidance and reflection, candidates impact each other, school communities, and larger systems with the goals of attaining higher student achievement, innovative cultures, and strong connections with the community.

Sponsored by Hunter College, The Fellowship program aims for the principal fellows to:

  • develop self-knowledge of strengths and areas for development as school leaders through the creation of a personal professional development action plan.
  • implement a transformative change initiative in their school communities that leads to improved outcomes such as student attendance and achievement, improved school culture, and stronger connections with the community.
  • graduate from the program prepared to improve education within their schools and across the city by understanding how school and community systems function interdependently.
  • form a network that provides continued support beyond the Fellowship.

The program is supported by the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) and requiresFellows to attend a two-week summer institute and seven convening days during the school year and are approved professional development days and do not count against annual leave. Please be advised, the Program Leadership team will communicate with your superintendents about your schedule and program fit.

Requirements

Eligible candidates must currently be:

  • In good standing and currently leading a school as a New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) principal
  • Must be a principal with a minimum of three years of experience. Please note that candidates in their third year as principal at the time of submission may still apply.

Application

Principals interested in joining the 2025 to 26 cohort should apply via the Gray Fellows Application Form.

Please contact grayfellows@hunter.cuny.edu if you encounter any issues with submitting your application.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until Tuesday, April 1, 2025

2025 to 26 Program Dates

Summer Institute

Week 1

  • Principals Leadership Retreat in the Catskills
  • Honor’s Haven: Ellenville, NY
  • July 21, 2025 to July 25, 2025

Week 2

  • Transformative/Systems change with the Presencing Institute
  • The Roosevelt House-Hunter College
  • July 28, 2025 to August 1, 2025

Convening Days

There will be 7 convening days once a month, including 2 half-day intervisitations between school teams. Dates will be TBD. Dates are to be determined (TBD).

Inquiries

Gray Fellows Profiles

Gray Fellows Events