At the center of our three-year strategic plan is a clear focus on strengthening the charter school sector for the long term, and developing school leaders is essential to that work. Preparing current and aspiring principals with the skills, support, and context they need is a critical step toward ensuring strong schools for Mississippi students and families.

That’s why MCSA is proud to announce a new collaboration with the University of Mississippi School of Education to expand access to the University of Mississippi Principal Corps. This work reflects the beginning of a long-term partnership focused on strengthening leadership across Mississippi’s public charter schools.

For more than 15 years, the UM Principal Corps has prepared school leaders through a rigorous, practice-based model that blends graduate-level coursework, mentorship, and a full-time administrative internship. With more than 175 alumni serving schools across Mississippi, the program has a strong track record of preparing principals who are making an impact in schools and communities across the state.

Through this collaboration, charter school leaders can now participate in the same proven program—earning either a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree while developing essential skills in instructional leadership, ethical decision-making, and school culture. 

In the first phase of the collaboration, Ambition Preparatory Charter School will serve as the first charter school host site for a Principal Corps participant, who will join a cohort of leaders representing public schools from across the state.

“Strong public schools begin with strong leadership,” said Dr. Braxton Stowe, Director of Principal Corps. “Expanding this program to include charter school leaders strengthens public education statewide and ensures more schools are led by highly prepared, mission-driven principals.”

For MCSA, the partnership represents a strategic investment in leadership development as a core driver of school quality and sustainability in the charter sector.

“This collaboration marks the beginning of a strong, long-term relationship between Mississippi charter schools and the University of Mississippi Principal Corps,” said John H. Dixon, Executive Director of MCSA. “Principal Corps has a proven track record of preparing effective leaders, and expanding access to this program strengthens the talent pipeline serving charter school students and communities across our state.

Charter leaders in the program will join diverse cohorts of educators from across Mississippi, strengthening peer learning and collaboration grounded in the state’s unique educational context.

“As a proud University of Mississippi alumnus, I’m excited to see this respected program partner with the charter school community,” said DeArchie Scott, MCSA Board member and founder of Ambition Prep. “Serving as the first charter host site reflects our commitment to developing strong leaders for the future. Principal Corps has a proven track record, and this collaboration expands access to high-quality leadership preparation for charter educators across Mississippi.”

Learn More & Apply

Charter school leaders interested in the University of Mississippi Principal Corps can learn more about the program, degree options, and application requirements here.

For questions about charter leader participation or MCSA’s leadership development work, contact Dr. John Dixon at info@discovermscharters.org