1. Principal Selection Process
Denver Public Schools

2. High-level Overview: Principal Selection Process
Lead in Denver Pre-Screen
Applicant Screening for Qualified Principal Candidate Pool
Advisory Committee for Principal Selection
Finalist Engagement
Superintendent Interview and Offer

3. Pre-Screen Process Online Application and Principal Applicant Survey
Initial Screening by Lead in Denver screeners
Paper screen of resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation
Phone interview discussing past performance
Successful completion of this stage will advance candidate to the in-person interview.
* Screeners: former principals, former HR manager and directors

4. Screening for Qualified Principal Pool
Applicants experience a rigorous, 4 hour interview process demonstrating their skills and abilities in activities that are aligned with the DPS School Leadership Framework identified as being critical to lead successfully in DPS. This interview event is scored by instructional superintendents.
Interview tasks:
Group budget activity
Data activity
Parent role-play
Teacher observation and feedback role-play
Q&A Interview
Successful completion of this interview stage will advance candidate into the Qualified Principal Candidate Pool.

5. Benefits of the first two levels of the selection process for our schools
Capacity at the school level is reserved for candidates who have successfully demonstrated competencies aligned to the DPS framework.
The Advisory Committee can then focus on finding someone who aligns with their specific job description.
For example, the Advisory Principal Selection Committee will not need to spend any time reviewing the resumes or candidates who lack basic eligibility for the principalship (such as licensure).

6. Advisory Committee for Principal Selection
Selection of Advisory Committee for Principal Selection members occurs at the school site.
Only “Qualified Principal Candidate Pool” participants will be selected to interview with an Advisory Committee for Principal Selection.
IS/ED reviews Qualified Principal Pool to identify and refer well-matched candidates for school site interviewing.
Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership
Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

7. Advisory Committee for Principal Selection (cont.)
IS/ED facilitates the Advisory Committee Interviews
Engages Advisory Committee in conversation related to school strengths and needs
Engages the Human Resources Partner in training of the Advisory Committee
Adds to district-wide Interview Questions by having Advisory Committee reflect on identified needs and select additional interview questions from the Framework-based Question Bank
Develops summary of each candidate’s Strengths and Needs
IS/ED provides Advisory Committee data to Asst. Supt./Chief as proposal for candidate advancement to Finalist status
Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership
Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

8. Finalist Engagement Deep Reference Check Community Forum Learning Walk
Will focus on gaps in information and confirmation of data collected through the process- may include site visit
Community Forum
All principal selection processes will include the opportunity for the community to “meet” the Finalists. This will typically be in the format of a Community Forum, but may also be a meet and greet activity, depending on the situation
Learning Walk
The Learning Walk will follow a consistent, Framework –aligned protocol
Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership
Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

9. Superintendent Interview and Offer
Instructional Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent present Candidate Profile form to the Superintendent.
Finalists interview with the Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent.
Final selection of the Principal Candidate is made by the Superintendent.
Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership
Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

10. High-level Overview: Principal Selection Process
Lead in Denver Pre-Screen
Applicant Screening for Qualified Principal Candidate Pool
Advisory Committee for Principal Selection
Finalist Engagement
Superintendent Interview and Offer