One of the first steps to becoming a school-based administrator is gaining acceptance into the district’s Aspiring Assistant Principal Program.  This program is a year-long course for current Clay County District employees that requires participants to engage in activities and tasks that are aligned with the Florida Educational Leadership Standards.  This program is for teachers and staff who hold or will be eligible to add Educational Leadership to their state certificate by the end of the program, and have not completed an Aspiring Assistant Principal Program.  To be eligible to add Educational Leadership to a state certificate, individuals must have passed all sections of the FELE and have a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership on file with the FLDOE.  Additionally, individuals must have at least three years of successful classroom teaching experience. 

Clay County District Schools is committed to providing support to new assistant principals.  All assistant principals who are new to CCDS will participate in this program during their first year.  Each new AP is provided with a mentor as well as professional learning opportunities with content that is relevant, applicable, and aligned to the Florida Educational Leadership Standards. 

Once assistant principals have satisfactorily performed instructional leadership responsibilities as measured by the evaluation system and successfully completed one year as a school administrator (or its equivalent), current Clay County District Schools’ assistant principals are eligible to apply for this program. Obtaining Level II certification through this program is required to be considered for a principal position.  This 18 month course requires participants to complete tasks, assignments, field experiences, and professional readings that align to the Florida Educational Leadership Standards. 

Clay County District Schools is committed to supporting principals that are new to the position in the district.  As soon as principals are appointed, they receive a mentor principal who is experienced and trained to serve in this capacity.  Novice and mentor principals meet in person throughout the year and engage in real-life scenarios, collaboration, and problem solving.  Professional learning opportunities are provided to the group that are relevant to the principalship and aligned to the Florida Educational Leadership Standards.