COUNCIL FOR LEADERS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS

What COUNCIL FOR LEADERS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS does

The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1969 by administrators for administrators, serving public school administrators across Alabama. CLAS operates as an umbrella organization coordinating thirteen affiliate bodies—AAESA, AASSP, AAMSP, AAPASS, AASPA, ALSAIL, ACTA, ALA504, ALA-CASE, ALA-EL, ACND, SSA, and AL-ABSE—that together represent every major category of school and school-system leader in the state. The organization's core mission is delivering professional learning, networking, legal defense, advocacy, communications, and recognition programs to its membership across all eight Alabama State School Board Districts.

CLAS delivers value through a portfolio of in-person and virtual professional learning services rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include the annual CLAS Convention, Leadership Institutes, the CIL Credential Program, the Aspiring School Leaders Academy, the NAESP Pre-K3 Leadership Academy, the LEArn & LEAd LEA Representative Leadership Training program, monthly Lunch & Learn sessions, webinars, the quarterly CLAS School Leader magazine, and a Legal Defense Fund. Recognition programs include the Banner Schools and Schools of Distinction designations (8 Banner Schools and 32 Schools of Distinction recognized in 2024), the CLAS Leadership Award, and multiple Principal/Assistant Principal of the Year and scholarship awards administered through affiliates. The underlying infrastructure consists of a member portal (members.clasleaders.org), event microsites, and digital publishing via Issuu; no proprietary technology platform or AI capabilities are indicated.

CLAS's business model rests on three revenue streams: recurring membership dues from school administrators, one-time event registration fees (e.g., a $498 non-member fee for the 2026 Law Conference Webcast), and corporate sponsorships from education-adjacent vendors including Horace Mann, American Fidelity, Bailey Education Group, Ward Scott Morris Architecture, Virco Manufacturing, and Renaissance Learning. The organization serves a single vertical—Alabama public school administrators—with no geographic diversification beyond the state. CLAS is an independent non-profit governed by a Board of Directors and Executive Committee with no parent company or external equity backing, and is currently transitioning executive leadership, with Dr. Farrell Seymore announced as successor to Dr. Vic Wilson.

Name

COUNCIL FOR LEADERS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS

Legal name

Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools

Website

https://clasleaders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1969 that serves Alabama's public school administrators through 13 affiliate organizations via professional learning, advocacy, legal defense, awards, and networking programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Education Service Agencies (ESAs/BOCES/Intermediate Units) (EDADABAC)

Keywords

• Professional learning services
• School administrator membership
• Education leadership training
• Advocacy and recognition
• Professional development events

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CLAS generates revenue through membership fees from school administrators across Alabama's public schools. Founded in 1969 by administrators for administrators, with focus on professional learning, networking, legal defense, advocacy, communication, and recognition.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from professional learning events including the annual convention, law conferences, webinars, and leadership institutes. Non-member fee for 2026 Law Conference Webcast is $498.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners and sponsors provide vital support. Sponsors include American Fidelity Assurance, Bailey Education Group, Ward Scott Morris Architecture, Horace Mann, Virco Manufacturing, and Renaissance Learning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CLAS is a non-profit professional membership association founded in 1969 by administrators for administrators, serving Alabama's public school administrators. It delivers a suite of services including professional learning events (annual convention, Leadership Institutes, Lunch & Learn sessions, webinars), credential programs (CIL Credential, Aspiring School Leaders Academy), publications (CLAS School Leader quarterly magazine), recognition programs (administrator awards, Banner Schools, scholarships), legal defense support, advocacy, and a member job bank. Operations are organized through 13 affiliate organizations representing each type of public school/school system leader in Alabama.

Product overview

CLAS is a professional membership organization for Alabama school administrators, providing professional learning, networking, legal defense, advocacy, communications, and recognition programs. The organization does not offer a single unified product or platform; rather, it provides a suite of services including professional learning events (Leadership Institutes, Lunch & Learn sessions, Webinars), credential programs (CIL Credential Program, Aspiring School Leaders Academy, NAESP Pre-K3 Leadership Academy), publications (CLAS School Leader quarterly magazine), award and recognition programs (Administrator Awards, Scholarships, Banner Schools/Schools of Distinction), and member benefits (Legal Defense Fund, Job Bank). The core value proposition is professional development and support services for educational leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CLAS Annual Convention Annual conference bringing together Alabama's education leaders for learning, networking, and inspiration. Open to superintendents, principals, and school administrators.
• Leadership Institutes Ongoing professional learning sessions for school administrators covering topics such as school culture, safety, emotional intelligence, special education law, student engagement, and team building.
• CIL Credential Program Certification program for instructional leaders focused on building leadership capacity.
• Aspiring School Leaders Academy Program designed for educators preparing to become school administrators.
• NAESP Pre-K3 Leadership Academy Leadership development program for pre-K through 3rd grade administrators.
• Lunch & Learn Monthly virtual professional learning sessions for CLAS members covering topics like APLDS updates, principal evaluation, new teacher support, attendance, and MTSS strategies.
• Webinars Online professional development sessions on various educational leadership topics.
• CLAS School Leader Magazine Quarterly publication featuring educational leader profiles, award recipients, updates, success stories, and insights to support school administrators.
• Administrator Awards Recognition programs for school administrators including Principal of the Year awards, Assistant Principal of the Year, National Distinguished Principal, and CLAS Leadership Award.
• Banner Schools/Schools of Distinction Recognition program for outstanding educational programs that serve as models across Alabama, with Banner Schools receiving the highest designation. Eight Banner Schools and 32 Schools of Distinction recognized annually.
• Scholarships Student scholarship programs offered by CLAS affiliates including W.H. Kimbrough Scholarship, Glenys Mason NAESP Convention Scholarship, Marie Taylor & Dr. Michael Carr Scholarship, AAMSP Professional Development Scholarship, and ALA-CASE Scholarships.
• Legal Defense Fund Legal services and defense support for CLAS members.
• Job Bank Career resources and job listings exclusively for CLAS members.
• 2026 Law Conference Webcast Annual law conference webcast for non-members at $498, providing access to legal updates and technical support.
• AAMSP Trailblazing Leadership Summit Professional development event for K-12 principals, assistant principals, and aspiring administrators focusing on student achievement, school culture, and leadership effectiveness.
• LEArn & LEAd LEA Representative Leadership Training program for the 2026-2027 cohort.

Quantifiable outcome

• 189 schools nominated statewide for recognition programs demonstrating reach across Alabama's educational system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Horace Mann CompaniescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 June 2024Long-time sponsor of the CLAS Leadership Award. Horace Mann provides a $1,000 check to the recipient annually at the CLAS Convention. Horace Mann offers auto/home insurance and retirement strategies for educators and public sector workers.
• American Fidelity AssurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Alabama High School Principal of the Year award and Banner Schools program. American Fidelity provides support for recognition of outstanding school administrators.
• Bailey Education GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Schools of Distinction and Banner Schools awards program, helping make the awards program possible through generous sponsorship.
• Ward Scott Morris Architecture, Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Schools of Distinction and Banner Schools awards program, enabling recognition of outstanding educational programs in Alabama schools.
• Virco ManufacturingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Assistant Principal of the Year awards program, providing recognition for outstanding assistant principals across Alabama schools.
• Renaissance LearningcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of NAESP National Distinguished Principal award, supporting recognition of outstanding elementary and middle school principals in Alabama.
• Enterprise State Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Early Childhood Apprenticeship Partnership - students can transition 64 college credits from ESCC to Troy University as part of the apprenticeship program.
• Troy UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Early Childhood Apprenticeship Partnership - graduates can pursue bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Troy University at no cost.
• Alabama Department of Early Childhood EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Early Childhood Apprenticeship Partnership, mitigating financial barriers by covering educational expenses of apprentices.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliate partnership for elementary/middle school principal recognition awards including National Distinguished Principal and National Outstanding Elementary Assistant Principal programs.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational affiliate partnership for secondary school principal recognition including Principal of the Year awards and Advocacy Champion of the Year.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AASA (The School Superintendents Association): National professional association for school superintendents. AASA is the national counterpart to CLAS's SSA (School Superintendents of Alabama) affiliate, providing comparable professional development and advocacy at the superintendent level.
• National School Boards Association (NSBA): National federation of state associations of school board members. NSBA represents the governance side of public education leadership, complementing CLAS's administrator-focused membership and often co-advocating on education policy at the federal level.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP): National professional association for elementary and middle-level principals. NAESP is a direct strategic partner of CLAS through formal affiliate partnership, providing national-level recognition programs (e.g., National Distinguished Principal) that CLAS administers locally in Alabama.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP): National professional association for middle and high school principals. NASSP partners with CLAS through the AASSP affiliate for Principal of the Year and Advocacy Champion programs, making it a national-level counterpart and direct partner organization.
• Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): National non-profit representing state education chiefs and superintendents. CCSSO operates at a higher policy level than CLAS but is a comparable non-profit education leadership organization with which CLAS interacts on advocacy and policy matters.
• ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development): National education association focused on curriculum, instruction, and instructional leadership. CLAS's affiliate ALSAIL (Alabama Statewide Alliance of Instructional Leaders) is the state-level ASCD affiliate, making ASCD a direct national peer and partner organization.

Regional players

• Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP): Texas-based professional association for secondary school principals. TASSP is a comparable state-level administrator association with a similar structure to CLAS's AASSP affiliate, providing professional learning and recognition programs.
• Illinois Principals Association (IPA): State-level professional association for school administrators in Illinois. IPA is a comparable state-level umbrella organization providing professional learning, advocacy, and recognition services to school leaders, mirroring CLAS's role in Alabama.
• Alabama Education Association (AEA): Statewide professional association for Alabama educators, including teachers and education support professionals. AEA is a comparable Alabama-based education association that competes for the same educator mindshare and serves a parallel membership base within the state.
• Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA): State-level professional association for school superintendents in Georgia. GSSA is structurally similar to CLAS's SSA affiliate and represents a comparable model in an adjacent Southeastern state, offering a useful geographic peer benchmark.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-for-leaders-in-alabama-schools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 COUNCIL FOR LEADERS IN ALABAMA SCHOOLS