The Aspiring Educational Leaders Program is being offered through the Educational Leadership Development Academy, a collaborative project involving a consortium of the University of San Diego, San Diego City Schools, San Diego State University, University of California San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene, and the San Diego County Office of Education.

The Aspiring Educational Leaders Program involves selection of a cohort of ten expert teachers from among the district’s teaching ranks to become administrative interns in the school year 2000-01. Interns will be released from their classrooms for one year (without "right of return") and assigned to work with an exemplary district principal. Interns will also attend courses co-developed and taught by faculty from the consortium. Through the course work, interns will earn certification (first tier) necessary for a site leadership assignment. Successful participation in the intern/administrative credential programs would constitute eligibility for appointment as vice principal.