For leaders who seek to grow in their professional knowledge, skills and connections.

Fast Track Your Career

ACSA Academies are intensive, multi-weekend programs providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills. Academies are offered in different leadership specializations to meet your needs as a school administrator, confidential employee or classified manager.

Because ACSA represents all members of the district management team, we can help you build the administrative and leadership skills needed in your current job, while preparing you to take advantage of career advancement opportunities.

ACSA’s job-specific academies provide a solid foundation of training in the application of leadership and management fundamentals for administrators who are new or aspiring to advanced leadership positions.

Academies are the fast track to taking your career to the next level.

Academy Catalog

FAQ About Academies

Academy Scholarships

Key Dates for 2026-27

General Registration Opens: June 1, 2026
Scholarship Application Deadline: July 13, 2026

Learning That Meets Your Needs

Academies are now offered in hybrid and virtual cohorts providing flexible options for administrators at every level.

Reach Your Goals

Academies can help you reach your professional development goals and gain valuable skills, insights and connections.

Why Academies?

Academies offer sustained, job-embedded professional learning that is supported by extensive materials and resources, and extended professional networking.

Sign up to receive updates about ACSA Academies.

Not an ACSA member yet? Double your savings by joining!

Join ACSA today as part of the Academy registration process. If you have not previously been a regular ACSA member, use the Promo Code: ACAD26 to become an ACSA member for just $2 a day for the 2026-27 school year!*

ACSA membership must be active at the time of registration and for the duration of the academy year to benefit from participation at the promotional ACSA member rate. Your signature authorizing monthly payroll deduction of 2026-27 member dues must be provided on the application form.

Once your membership is active, complete your registration below for an academy at the member rate using any of the following payment options for registration: credit card or purchase order. (Sorry, no payroll deduction for registration.)

*Offer limited to individuals who have not been ACSA members during the last 12 months.

JOIN NOW

There’s still time to register!

You can still register for the following ACSA Academies, but time is running out.

Academy Catalog

The complete 2026-27 catalog and registration links will be available online by June 1. Download the PDF catalog and sign up for updates to receive information when registration opens for all ACSA Academies.

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders

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A partnership of ACSA and AASA

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders

A Distinctive Experience: What Makes This Academy Different

The ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders is intentionally designed to complement other ACSA Academies, offering a deeper, more immersive leadership experience for women at a critical point in their leadership journey.

Unlike traditional academies that focus primarily on role-based leadership fundamentals, this academy supports women who are exploring, preparing for, or discerning readiness for the superintendency. It is designed and led exclusively by current and retired women superintendents, creating an environment grounded in lived experience, credibility, and trust.

What distinguishes this academy is its intentional emphasis on sustained access to women superintendents, immersive in-person learning, national network expansion, and embedded mentorship and coaching—elements that are thoughtfully reflected in both the design and investment of the program.

This academy is designed to prepare women to pursue the superintendency and to ensure they are ready to lead, sustain, and thrive.

Academy Information & Application

Intended Audience

This academy is designed for women educational leaders who:

Are considering or actively pursuing the superintendency
Are exploring whether the superintendent role aligns with their leadership goals, values, and life priorities
Seek thoughtful preparation, mentorship, and sponsorship from experienced women superintendents
Value learning in community with other accomplished women leaders
Are committed to equity-driven leadership and system-level impact

Participants may include district leaders from California and across the western United States who are looking for a regionally grounded, nationally connected leadership development experience.

The ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders is a cohort-based leadership development experience designed to support, prepare, and elevate women leaders who are considering, exploring, or actively pursuing the superintendency.

Based in California and developed in partnership with ACSA and AASA, this academy serves women leaders across California and the western region of the United States, offering a West Coast pathway aligned with AASA’s national leadership development efforts.

Building on the success of AASA’s nationally recognized Aspiring Women Leaders academy, this program responds to the unique professional, political, and personal realities women face as they contemplate and prepare for district-level leadership. The academy is grounded in the belief that women lead best when they are deeply supported, well-prepared, and connected to a powerful professional network — and when leadership is centered in equity, access, and opportunity for all students and communities.

Program Purpose

Develop confidence, clarity, and readiness for the superintendent role.
Support women who are exploring whether the superintendency is the right next step for their leadership journey.
Provide authentic, experience-based learning grounded in real superintendent leadership.
Strengthen equity-driven leadership practices that advance inclusive, just, and student-centered systems.
Create a trusted network of women leaders who learn from and support one another.
Strengthen the pipeline of women superintendents across California and the western United States.

Meeting Formats

Participants attend six one- or two-day sessions either virtually or in person. See the session dates and locations below for complete details.

Registration

Interested candidates must submit an application prior to being approved for registration.

ACSA Members — $4,600
Non-Members — $4,900

Register with Credit Card or Purchase Order

Payment will be due in full with a credit card, or
A valid purchase order must be received to complete registration. Purchase order numbers alone are not sufficient as payment.

Schedule

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders

Hybrid Format (in person and virtual)
Directors: Candace Singh & Zandra Jo Galván

Session 1: Sept. 18-19, 2026 (In person, Sacramento, CA)
Session 2: Oct. 8, 2026 (Virtual)
Session 3: Nov. 3, 2026 (In person, Chula Vista, CA)
Session 4: Feb. 23-24, 2027 (In person, Atlanta, GA)
Session 5: March 11, 2027 (Virtual)
Session 6: April 16-17, 2026 (In person, Sacramento, CA)

Meet the Directors

Candace Singh

Zandra Jo Galván

The application window is now closed.

Apply to join this uniquely immersive experience.

Apply Now

FAQ About ACSA Academies

What are the commitments as a participant?

As you consider registering for an academy, please think carefully about the commitment you would need to make regarding each of the following:

Academy meeting dates. Calendar and prioritize meeting dates, including those on selected holiday weekends, to attend all Academy sessions as scheduled.

Academy program design. Honor the investment of the academy directors and presenters to plan, coordinate and delivery an in-depth Academy experience that is articulated, consistent within each leadership specialization, and rich in practical resources and networking.

Academy norms. Support and contribute to the culture and atmosphere for professional learning and networking.

Community of learners. Make learning meaningful for your yourself and fellow participants, and engage with presenters by being prepared and providing feedback for every Academy session.

What time do the academy sessions meet?

Academy weekends include 10 hours of professional learning and networking. Generally, you can expect an academy weekend to convene on Fridays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please note that meeting times may vary slightly for individual academy cohorts.

How many academy specializations are there?

Academies range in duration from 70 to 100 hours and offer 10 hours of professional learning on each of seven to ten academy weekends (see individual academy descriptions for additional details).

Specialization Overview

What is the format for the academy program?

Virtual/Online Academy Weekend: 10 hours of online professional learning and networking per weekend. Friday PM, Saturday AM & PM. Eight leadership specializations.

Hybrid Academy Weekend: 10 hours of professional learning and networking per weekend. All Fridays convene online, all Saturdays convene in person. Friday PM, Saturday AM & PM. Selected cohorts only.

Which academy should I attend?

ACSA has created a chart defining which academies should be attended by administrators in specific job categories — as well as by administrators who aspire to attain a position in a job category other than their own. Use the chart and the academy calendar to plan professional learning for your career development for the upcoming school year.

Academy Recommendation Chart

How do I register?

Each participant must register themselves by logging into their ACSA member account, or create a non-member account, to begin the registration process. Pre-registration is required for all ACSA academies. Space is limited, so early registration is a must.

To register for an ACSA academy, choose the tab with the academy specialization that you would like to attend and click on Register Now. You will be directed to the Academy Summary. Please review then click to register. You will be prompted to log into your ACSA member account or create a non-member account. You may register with a credit card or purchase order, or you may set up a monthly installment plan to pay the registration fee in three consecutive monthly installments using a credit card.

How many cohorts can I register for?

Participants may register for one academy cohort per program year.

How much are academy registration fees?

Academy registration fees are based upon the number of hours and cohort format.

Will I be notified that my registration has been received?

ACSA will email you confirmation of registration and enrollment upon receipt of your completed registration, which needs to include one of the following: payment in full via credit card; payment of the first of three installments; or provision of a valid Purchase Order number.

Please note: To avoid registration cancellation, an appropriate form of payment must be received no later than three weeks before the scheduled Academy start date. Registrants may re-register with appropriate form of payment. All academy materials and resources will be made available during the academy.

What if I decide to attend at the last minute?

Check on the description of each cohort to see if space is still available.

What if I have to cancel at the last minute?

Cancellations must be in writing a minimum of 15 days prior to the program date to be eligible for a refund. A service fee is charged for all cancellations. The following scale will be used for all cancellation requests. NOTE: Each cancellation notice received will be reviewed on an individual basis.

30 days prior……………….Full refund less $75 service fee
15 days prior……………….50% refund
14 days or less…………….No refund

Are academy scholarships available?

ACSA academy scholarship funding is available for regular ACSA members who have a commitment to educational quality, student achievement, and professional growth, and who can demonstrate a financial need. Learn more about applying for scholarships.

What if a cohort is cancelled?

Sometimes, due to insufficient enrollment or other circumstances, ACSA must cancel an academy. Should that occur, we will transfer each registrant’s registration to another academy of his/her choice or immediately process a full refund.

What are the benefits of academy participation?

Academies offer a number of distinctive professional learning benefits including:

Sustained, job-embedded professional learning that is supported by extensive materials and resources, and extended professional networking.
ACSA Academy Certificate of Completion: highly respected statewide for premier professional development for school administrators.
Academy hours may be used toward satisfying professional development requirements for the clear administrative services credential.

Note: Academies are not an independent clear administrative services credential pathway.

What is ACSA’s equity lens in the academy program?

At ACSA, we believe that every child deserves access and opportunity to quality teaching and learning every day, regardless of ZIP code or family income. Socioeconomic conditions, race, gender, ethnic background, and other factors should not be barriers for educational attainment.

ACSA’s mission statement is fundamental to our approach in being the driving force for an equitable, world-class education system, and the development of educational leaders in achieving equity. We believe that school leaders must be intentional and deliberate in disrupting inequities that continue to perpetuate the disparities among student groups. Additional information is available at www.acsa.org/equity.

In the ACSA academy program, in every leadership specialization, effective professional learning plays a vital role in expanding participants’ capacity for equity-minded leadership.

Academy Scholarships

ACSA offers academy scholarship funding, exclusively for academy participation, for members with financial need to attend job-specific academies.

Who is eligible?

Regular ACSA members who have a commitment to educational quality, student achievement and professional growth, who can demonstrate a financial need, and who have not previously been awarded an Academy scholarship

What is the deadline to apply?

Applications and related materials must be submitted directly to state ACSA through the 2026-27 Academy Scholarship Application Form, deadline July 13, 2026. Recipients will be notified in writing. Please email Trish Elmore with any questions.

How are recipients chosen?

The Academy Scholarship Selection Committee comprised of representative Academy Directors will meet and review all applications, résumés, and essays submitted for consideration. Names of awardees will be forwarded to the ACSA Board of Directors.

What is the scholarship amount?

Eight $500 scholarships and one $1,000 scholarship (for superintendents only) will be awarded to recipients selected by the Academy Scholarships Selection Committee.

What is the application criteria?

Highest priority will be given to ACSA members whose applications are complete and thoroughly address as many of the following criteria as possible:

Commitment to the profession.
Demonstrated contribution to the profession.
Cultural, ethnic or linguistic diversity. influencing education policy.
Experience working in an urban or rural environment in the professional work setting.
Actualizing ACSA’s mission and beliefs.
Demonstrated interest in understanding.
Providing leadership that enlists and engages others.

To apply for an ACSA Academy scholarship please:

Complete the Academy Scholarship form linked below (only one application per member).
Include an up-to-date résumé.
Carefully prepare an essay addressing each the following criteria:
- Discuss your current career goals including the ways that you provide leadership in your professional work setting and within the ACSA organization.
- Identify the academy you would like to attend and discuss how attendance at this academy will enhance your contribution to education.
- Describe your active involvement with ACSA at any of the state, region and/or charter levels.
- Provide a statement that demonstrates your financial need and efforts you have made to obtain funding through other sources.
Do not include additional materials or letters of recommendation.

Apply for a Scholarship

ACSA Academies are intensive, multi-weekend programs providing educational leaders with in-depth knowledge and practical skills. Academies are offered in different leadership specializations to meet your needs as a school administrator, confidential employee or classified manager.

For leaders who seek to grow in their professional knowledge, skills and connections.

Fast Track Your Career

Key Dates for 2026-27

Learning That Meets Your Needs

Reach Your Goals

Why Academies?

Sign up to receive updates about ACSA Academies.

Not an ACSA member yet? Double your savings by joining!

There’s still time to register!

Special Education

School Business

Pupil Services

Academy Catalog

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Women Leaders

A Distinctive Experience: What Makes This Academy Different

Intended Audience

Program Purpose

Meeting Formats

Registration

Register with Credit Card or Purchase Order

Schedule

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Women Leaders

Hybrid Format (in person and virtual)Directors: Candace Singh & Zandra Jo Galván

Meet the Directors

Candace Singh

Zandra Jo Galván

The application window is now closed.

Apply to join this uniquely immersive experience.

FAQ About ACSA Academies

Academy Scholarships

Who is eligible?

What is the deadline to apply?

How are recipients chosen?

What is the scholarship amount?

What is the application criteria?

To apply for an ACSA Academy scholarship please:

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders

ACSA-AASA Aspiring Superintendents Academy^® for Women Leaders

Hybrid Format (in person and virtual)
Directors: Candace Singh & Zandra Jo Galván