Leadership for Academic Excellence at a Girls-Only National High School in Kenya

• In Event: 54.080 - Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: 54.080-7 - Overcoming Gender Bias While Leading Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of school leadership to academic success at Mountain GHS – a national girls-only high school in Kenya. Mountain GHS has a history of academic excellence as measured by the KCSE national exams. Evidence from interviewing the administrative team, teachers, and students as well as classroom and site observations are consistent with successful principal leadership practices (e.g., setting direction, developing people, redesigning the organization, and managing people) associated with successful schools. Mountain GHS has enjoyed many years of stability; uncharacteristically long tenure of principals and very low teacher turnover as well as low student mobility, which are important factors strongly associated with academic success.

Author

• Nathern S. Okilwa, The University of Texas - San Antonio