Earn Your Principal Certification in MA or RI
Extended Application Deadline May 1, 2026
Principal Residency Network
Jump-Start Your Career: Become a Highly-Effective Principal
Overview
CLEE’s Principal Residency Network (PRN) is a residency-based principal certification program (PK-12). It is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Program available in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
For over 25 years, PRN graduates have been prepared to immediately step into leadership roles and hit the ground running. The PRN equips graduates to foster effective collaboration in their role and build a strong community around them. They learn to share leadership with their team to empower team members in their own roles.
Through real-world experience in their residency with a mentor principal, PRN prepares aspiring leaders to improve schools by becoming strategists, data analysts, and champions for students.
A defining feature of the program is a long-standing partnership with Johnson & Wales University (JWU) for concurrent enrollment in a principal certification program through PRN along with a doctoral or master's degree program.
Who Should Apply
The Principal Residency Network is for Massachusetts and Rhode Island educators who want to advance their careers as positional leaders that want to build their capacity to lead for student impact.
Typical Time/Scope
1 and 2-year pathways
- Three 7-hour in-person summer sessions
- Eight 6-hour school visits
- Three Clinical Site Visits
- After school, 2-hour virtual cohort and network sessions
- Four, virtual 90-minute Community of Practice sessions
PRN Scholarships Available
There are a limited number of donor-funded $2000 scholarships awarded by the CLEE Board. Information on how to apply is included in the PRN application. Applicants must submit all materials by the priority deadline in March to be considered for a scholarship.
PRN FAQs
I Am Interested in PRN
The PRN Interest Form will help us to better support you as you continue to explore the PRN.
Concurrent Enrollment in Johnson & Wales University
Earn your principal certification and an advanced degree concurrently.
Key Takeaways
PRN Graduates will:
- Acquire real-world practice and experience leading in an educational setting, with a mentoring principal at their school site
- Learn and lead others to identify and challenge biases, engaging with colleagues and stakeholders from different backgrounds to gain new perspectives
- Become effective leaders by using collaborative tools to build community
- Apply practices which create a common sense of purpose and agency in their team through shared leadership
- Gain skills to give and receive constructive feedback, turning these valuable observations into an actionable plan for improvement and growth
- Learn to make data-driven decisions, focused student impact.
- Gain skills to give and receive feedback and make observations for learning and growth
- Learn to use data-based improvements to impact student outcomes.
- All Rhode Island PRN program grads will have demonstrated awareness in the knowledge and practice of the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy, per the RI Right to Read Act (RI General Laws).
- All Rhode Island PRN program grads will complete the MTSS Team Foundations course to guide team members and leaders through the important considerations and tasks needed to develop a strong team and hold effective meetings to support all students.
Testimonials
Get More Information
Jump-Start Your Career: Become a Highly-Effective Principal
