Effective principals drive equitable improvement for each child. Replacing great principals is challenging and costs $40,000 per principal, according to research. Effective principals have great supervisors, who provide sage coaching and support systems.

The Connecticut Supervisors of Principals' Academy (SOPA) is a statewide learning network for current principal supervisors. SOPA up-levels supervisory coaching, feedback, and systems design so that principals grow and stay.

Superintendents, assistant superintendents, and other central office administrators join SOPA to:
  • Build supervisory skills in coaching, performance evaluation, and principal supports.
  • Improve supervisory systems and practices.
  • Exchange ideas, advice among Connecticut principal supervisors and experienced coaches.
Get with the program!
SOPA registration is capped at 50 administrators and closes on May 14, 2026. Individual supervisors or central office teams can join, and each person must register and pay the fee of $500 per participant while CAPSS will cover the remaining costs..

Learning together
SOPA network participants are driven to improve coaching, evaluation, and conditions for exemplary school leadership. If you are a current principal supervisor seeking to improve your practice, then SOPA is for you! CAPSS is working collaboratively with WestEd and experienced Connecticut coaches to provide:
  • Two hours of leadership coaching from experienced administrators each month.
  • Seven, in-person collaborative sessions focused on improving school leadership and talent systems.
  • Principal observation and survey tools to ensure supervision is data driven.
SOPA members may be charter or public school principal supervisors who are also:
  • Superintendents or assistant superintendents
  • Directors of schools
  • Human Resources directors
  • Leadership coaches
  • Other central office administrators
Key Dates
SOPA Kickoff meeting: September 16, 2026
Session Collaborative sessions:
  • Session 1: October 15, 2026
  • Session 2: November 12, 2026
  • Session 3: December 10, 2026
  • Session 4: January 21, 2027
  • Session 5: February 11, 2027
  • Session 6: March 25, 2027
Expectations
We rely on your ideas, input and perspectives to make this network a vibrant, statewide resource. We expect that all participants will attend 90 percent of coaching and Collaborative sessions, and all will complete pre-work.

Admission
Admission is rolling, and we will notify applicants within five business days after the application is received. The application process entails:
  • Submission of this online form
  • 20-minute phone/zoom call to ensure that SOPA is the right professional learning for you
  • Receipt of admissions determination email

Question Title

* 1. I would like to:

Question Title

* 2. First name

Question Title

* 3. Last name

Question Title

* 4. Job title

Question Title

* 5. Preferred email address

Question Title

* 6. School system name

Question Title

* 7. Preferred phone number with area code

Question Title

* 8. SOPA will provide breakfast and lunch at meetings. Do you have any dietary restrictions? If yes, please list them below.

Question Title

* 9. SOPA will occur at school district and school offices throughout the state. We will reduce or eliminate accessibility issues so that all participants can fully participate. If you have any accessibility requirements (physical/sensory) please describe below so that we can plan accordingly.

Question Title

* 10. How would you characterize your district?

Question Title

* 11. Supervision includes performance evaluation, coaching, planning, and career advice. Supervisors may or may not have direct line authority. Given this definition, how many principals do you currently supervise? (Write numerals only.)

Question Title

* 12. How many years have you been a principal supervisor?

Question Title

* 13. How many years have you been with your current district/CMO?

Question Title

* 14. How did you hear about the SOPA program?

Question Title

* 15. Why would you like to join SOPA network? Please provide 3-4 sentences.

Thank you for completing the SOPA registration. You will receive an email from us within 5 business days.

T