Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence

The Gray Fellowship is a premier leadership development opportunity for New York City public school principals. Grounded in equity, innovation, and reflection, the program cultivates strong school leaders through a yearlong cohort-based journey.

About Us

Vision and Mission

Vision

To create a network of transformative school leaders who are equity-centered, community-focused, and systemically aware.

Mission

The Gray Fellowship for Principal Excellence equips experienced NYC public school principals with the tools, mindsets, and community needed to lead transformational change in their schools and beyond.

Gray Fellows gather for an activity on a playground blacktop

Gray Fellows gather for an activity on an outdoor basketball court.

The Experience

The Fellowship annually brings together 20 to 25 New York City (NYC) public school principals for a full year of professional learning focused on personal growth, systemic change, and school transformation.

Fellows will:

Develop self-awareness and identify strengths and growth areas through a personalized leadership development plan.
Design and implement a Transformative Change Initiative in their schools, targeting improved student outcomes and school culture.
Gain a deep understanding of how schools function within broader community systems.
Learn from and with a close-knit cohort of peers, forming a professional learning community that lasts well beyond the fellowship year
Participate in intervisitations to observe and reflect on peer practices in action.

Format and Commitment

Summer Institute (2 weeks)

Week 1: Principal Leadership Retreat in the Catskills
Week 2: Systems Thinking with the Presencing Institute

Convening Days (7 total)

Monthly convenings during the school year offer a space for reflection, connection, and growth. These sessions blend expert facilitation, collaborative learning, and strategy development to support each Fellow’s leadership journey and Transformative Change Initiative.

School Intervisitations (2 half-day visits)

Opportunities for fellows to observe peer practices and engage in reflective dialogue with one another

: Gray Fellows participate in an activity around an old tree.

: Gray Fellows participate in an outdoor activity involving ropes.

: Gray Fellows climb an outdoor rock climbing wall.

Our Impact

Since its founding, the Gray Fellowship has equipped over 130 NYC public school principals with the tools, community, and vision to lead transformative change in their schools and beyond.

Our impact is measured not just in numbers, but in the lived experiences of students, educators, and entire school communities. Fellows leave the program with renewed purpose, a deeper understanding of systems change, and the support of a lifelong professional network.

By the Numbers

133 total alumni leading schools across all five boroughs of New York City (NYC)
55,000 plus students served in schools led by Gray Fellowship alumni
88% of alumni continue to serve as principals
1 Superintendent and 2 Deputy Superintendents among Gray alumni, shaping district-level leadership
45 alumni trained as leadership coaches

Application

The Gray Fellows Application is now open for the 2026 to 2027 cohort. Apply by Friday, May 1, 2026.

Please note that Fellows admitted to the 2026 to 27 program must be able to commit to attend the Summer Institute on the following dates: July 20, 2026 to July 24, 2026, and July 27, 2026 to July 31, 2026.

Leadership Team

Dr. Kevin Froner, Co-Founder, Director
Dr. Noah Angeles, Co-Founder, Associate Director
Dr. Roshone Ault Lee, Project Lead and Curriculum Advisor, Gray Fellow 2020 to 2021
MaryAnn Celis, Program Manager
Julianne Hallett, Program Manager