This six-month, online school leader training program aims to prepare classroom teachers to move into school leadership positions in Catholic liberal arts schools. The need for leaders in this spreading renewal is growing quickly. In response to frequent requests, the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education has launched this effort, led by Mr. Danny Flynn, principal of St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville, MD, who also serves as an ICLE Consultant.
The program will include an in-depth study of the following topics:
1. Mission Statements
2. Parent Education and Faculty Formation
3. Curriculum Integration
4. Prayer and Culture
5. Enrollment Management and Marketing
6. Hiring and Managing Staff
FORMAT: Two monthly meetings will take place the second and fourth week of each month for 60-90 minutes in a time slot outside of normal school hours. Each month, an assignment will be given to reinforce the topics and put them into action. During the course of the program, participants will also receive two one-on-one advising sessions with the program leader. An ICLE Certificate of Completion will be awarded for successful completion of the program.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Due to the limited size of this program, the cohort will be determined on an application basis. Applicants must be currently working with a school. Preference will be given to those who display a sincere desire to learn and grow and whose experience will contribute to the collective wisdom of the cohort. A registration link will be provided after an applicant has been accepted.
Rolling admission until all spots are filled. Applicants can expect to hear back within two weeks.
COST & PAYMENT OPTIONS: $2,500
Payment may be made in two ways:
1. Paid in full by the beginning of the program.
2. A six-month automatic payment plan beginning and ending according to the program dates.
The registration fee must be paid in full or the automatic payment plan begun before the first session for the registrant to receive access to the classes and resources.
Cancellations received at least 60 days in advance of the start of the program will be honored with a full refund for any payments made. Cancellations received at least 30 days in advance will receive a 50% refund for any payments made. Program cancellations received less than 30 days in advance or after the program begins will receive no refund for any payments made. Please allow up to 30 days for a refund to be processed by ICLE.
We have found that many benefactors, having led successful initiatives of their own, appreciate the importance of intensive leadership development and quality mentorship. With that in mind, we are happy to assist accepted applicants in acquiring funding by providing a sponsorship letter (click to see sample).
Partial, needs-based scholarships are available for vowed religious and educators interested in participating in this program. To request a scholarship, please complete this scholarship request form.
MEET YOUR MENTOR:
Danny Flynn
Mr. Flynn is uniquely qualified to guide others based on the lessons of his own experience. He taught for six years at St. Jerome Academy after it became the first diocesan school in the country to adopt a classical liberal arts approach; he then stepped into the principal’s role in 2016. Under his leadership, the Pre-K through 8 school has continued to thrive and expand. The school’s enrollment, which started at 230 in 2009, is returning to a two-track system and will reach capacity of 525 in 2026. As an ICLE flagship member school, St. Jerome frequently hosts our School Leaders Forum, to showcase the approach in action.