Catholic Principals’ Institute for Development I Canada

What Catholic Principals’ Institute for Development I Canada does

Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario (CPCO) is a private non-profit professional association serving Catholic Principals, Vice-Principals, and aspiring teacher leaders across Ontario, Canada. Operating from its headquarters in Etobicoke, Ontario, CPCO holds structural relationships with all 31 Ontario Catholic District School Boards and reaches 1,500 schools serving approximately 575,000 children. The organization delivers the Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) — a 3-part, 10-module credential totaling 300 hours aligned with Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) accreditation under Regulation 176/10 — and the Principal Development Course Additional Qualifications (PDC AQ), a 125-hour modular course delivered virtually via Zoom and Google Classroom. Supporting products include the award-winning Principal Connections magazine (digital and print), three newsletters (Associate, Continuous Learning, Support Services Connections), Support Services Insights, a Leadership Mosaic Series, and a branded merchandise store.

Name

Catholic Principals’ Institute for Development I Canada

Legal name

Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario

Website

https://cpco.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario is a non-profit professional association serving Catholic Principals, Vice-Principals, and aspiring leaders across Ontario's 31 Catholic District School Boards. It delivers Ontario College of Teachers-accredited Principal Qualification Programs, modular professional development courses, publications, and member support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education and Leadership Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Program & Portfolio Management (PPM) (EDABAHAB)

Keywords

• Professional development services
• Principal qualification programs
• Education leadership training
• Educational publications
• Membership association services

Headquarters

HQ city

Etobicoke

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Courses: Principal Qualification Program (PQP) and Principal Development Course Additional Qualifications (PDC AQ) generate revenue through course registration fees. PQP Part 1 and Part 2 are 125 hours each, plus Leadership Practicum at 50 hours. Multiple delivery formats available including Provincial Online, In-Person Board Partnership, and Hybrid models.
2. Magazine Sales: Principal Connections magazine sold as digital copies ($6 each) and hard copies ($12 per copy + shipping, minimum 5 copies). The magazine reaches key decision-makers of 1,300 Catholic schools.
3. Membership Dues: Organization serves its membership by supporting ongoing and evolving professional learning for Catholic school leaders. Membership provides access to courses, publications, newsletters, resources, and support services.
4. Merchandise Store: Online store selling branded merchandise including T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, bags, accessories, jackets, hats, and toques through their e-commerce platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CPCO is a professional association that delivers leadership qualification and professional development programs to Catholic school principals, vice-principals, and aspiring leaders in Ontario. Its flagship products are the Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) — a 300-hour, 3-part accredited program aligned with Ontario College of Teachers guidelines — and the Principal Development Course Additional Qualifications (PDC AQ), a 125-hour modular course. The organization also publishes the award-winning Principal Connections Magazine, three newsletters, and Support Services Insights, and sells branded merchandise via an online store.

Product overview

CPCO is a professional association serving Catholic Principals and Vice-Principals in Ontario through a multi-product portfolio centered on leadership development and professional learning. The core offerings are the Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) — a 3-part, 10-module program consisting of PQP Part 1, PQP Part 2, and a 50-hour Leadership Practicum (totaling 300 hours) — and the Principal Development Course Additional Qualifications (PDC AQ), a separate 125-hour modular course delivered via Zoom and Google Classroom. Supporting these are Principal Connections Magazine (an award-winning print and digital publication), three newsletters (Associate Newsletter, Continuous Learning Newsletter, and Support Services Connections), the Clowder mobile app, the CPCO Online Store (powered by EntripyStores), and a suite of School Mental Health Ontario resources developed in partnership with ADFO, CPCO, OPC, and School Mental Health Ontario. Together these products provide professional qualification accreditation, ongoing professional development, publications, and member resources for Catholic school leaders across Ontario.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Principal's Qualification Program (PQP) A 3-part, 10-module professional qualification program (300 hours total) designed to prepare candidates for the Principal's role in Ontario Catholic schools. Developed and delivered by practising Principals, aligned with Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) guidelines and Regulation 176/10, and grounded in Gospel values, anti-oppression principles, and Catholic Church teaching. Offered via Provincial Online, In-Person Board Partnership, and Hybrid Board Partnership delivery models.
• Principal Development Course Additional Qualifications (PDC AQ) A 125-hour modular professional development course with Core and Elective Modules related to Catholic Leadership, delivered virtually via Zoom and Google Classroom. Each 31.25-hour module includes synchronous online instruction (10 hours), asynchronous learning (11.25 hours), and a job-embedded professional inquiry practicum (10 hours). Candidates must complete four modules, including two Core Modules (one must be Module 1: Mission of Jesus). Rooted in Gospel values, anti-oppression, and culturally responsive leadership.
• Principal Connections Magazine An award-winning professional learning magazine mailed directly to Catholic education leaders of approximately 1,500 schools serving 575,000 children across Ontario, including Principals, Vice-Principals, Superintendents, and Directors of Education. Available in both print ($12 per copy, minimum 5 copies) and digital PDF format ($6 per copy).
• CPCO Online Store (Branded Merchandise) An e-commerce platform powered by EntripyStores offering branded merchandise including T-shirts, kids apparel, hoodies, sweatshirts, bags, accessories, jackets, hats, and toques, with options to personalize items with CPCO/Conference logos.
• Support Services Insights (SSIs) Brief reflections addressing current issues within the Catholic Principal and Vice-Principal community, compiled by CPCO Support Services staff and Legal Counsel, covering topics such as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Investigations, Legal Matters, School Management, Mental Health and Wellness, and Negotiations and Retirement.
• School Mental Health Ontario Resources Suite A suite of mental health resources developed through a Leadership in Action partnership among ADFO, CPCO, and OPC with School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON). Includes the Leading Mentally Healthy Schools e-book, Wayfinder grade-by-grade guide, Guide for Trauma-Sensitive School Leaders, Trauma-Sensitive Schools Slide Deck, Mental Health in Action (MH LIT) courses, and Virtual Field Trips for stress management.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches 1,500 schools serving 575,000 children across Ontario
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPCO partners with School Mental Health Ontario and two other principal associations (ADFO and OPC) as part of a Leadership in Action project to support Principals and Vice-Principals in fostering mentally healthy schools. They have developed resources including the Guide for Trauma-Sensitive School Leaders, Trauma-Sensitive Schools Slide Deck, and Leading Mentally Healthy Schools suite of resources. CPCO also shares video testimonials from principals and vice-principals using SMH-ON resources.
• L'Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes (ADFO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ADFO (French-language principal association) and Ontario Principals' Council in the Leadership in Action project for mental health resources. The three principal associations in Ontario work together with School Mental Health Ontario to support Catholic and public school leaders.
• Ontario Principals' Council (OPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with OPC and ADFO through the Leadership in Action project, collaborating with School Mental Health Ontario to develop mental health resources for school administrators including trauma-sensitive leadership guides and Leading Mentally Healthy Schools resources.
• belairdirectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Summer Refresh 2026 Virtual Sketch Night event, providing gift card prizes for participants. Logo appears on event materials.
• Pearson CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Summer Refresh 2026 program. Logo appears on event materials.
• Brave EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Summer Refresh 2026 program. Logo appears on event materials.
• Marathon LearningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Summer Refresh 2026 program. Logo appears on event materials.
• Good Shepherd MinistriesminorOthersVolunteer partner for Summer Refresh 2026 - CPCO staff organized a volunteer day at Good Shepherd Ministries to help package food items and serve meals to those less fortunate.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• EdCan Network: Canada's national education research and advocacy network serving educators, administrators, and policymakers across the K-12 system. EdCan is a broad incumbent peer — overlaps in audience (Canadian education leaders) and mission (advancing educational practice) — but operates at the national level and across all school types rather than focusing specifically on Catholic principals.
• National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA): The largest US professional membership organization serving Catholic school leaders and educators nationally. NCEA is a broad incumbent peer to CPCO — same faith-based school mission, same customer archetype — but operating at a much larger national scale in the United States and offering a wider portfolio of programs, publications, and advocacy services.

Direct peers

• Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Ontario (CCSSO): The provincial association representing superintendents of Catholic school boards in Ontario. CCSSO is a direct peer — same Ontario Catholic education mission, same faith-based school system — but serving superintendents and directors of education rather than building-level principals and vice-principals. Operates at the system leadership tier above CPCO's core membership.
• Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE): The provincial association representing Directors of Education and supervisory officers across Ontario school boards. CODE is a direct peer — same Ontario education system, same leadership customer archetype (system-level administrators) — but serving Directors of Education rather than building principals and operating at the system leadership layer that CPCO's Principal Connections magazine reaches.
• Ontario Principals' Council (OPC): The professional association representing principals and vice-principals in Ontario English-language public schools. OPC is a direct peer to CPCO — same role (principal association), same geography (Ontario), same customer archetype (school administrators) — but serving the public rather than Catholic system. OPC is also an existing CPCO partner via the Leadership in Action project.
• L'Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles franco-ontariennes (ADFO): The professional association for French-language school principals and vice-principals in Ontario. ADFO is a direct peer to CPCO — same role (Ontario principal association), same customer archetype (school administrators), but serving the francophone rather than Catholic system. ADFO is also a confirmed CPCO partner in the Leadership in Action mental health initiative.
• Canadian Association of Principals (CAP): The national professional association for Canadian school principals. CAP is a direct peer to CPCO — same role (principal association), same customer archetype — but operating at the national level across Canada rather than within a single provincial faith-based system. Comparable in mission and membership structure.

Emerging players

• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP): The US national professional association for pre-K through grade 8 principals. NAESP is an emerging player peer — same role (principal membership association), same customer archetype (school building leaders) — but operating at a much larger national scale in the United States across all school types rather than the Catholic-specific Ontario niche.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP): The US national professional association for middle level and high school principals. NASSP is an emerging player peer — same role (principal membership association), same customer archetype (school building leaders) — but serving secondary-level administrators across the United States rather than the Catholic-specific Ontario market CPCO occupies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CPCOofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFh3vOD6ASCvHAHX0zU4oiw
• Facebookfacebook.com/cpcoofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/cpcoofficial

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catholic Principals’ Institute for Development I Canada