This study used focus groups to create building blocks for the creation of a collaborative program consisting of a university and a school district for the preparation of principals. The focus groups of practitioners considered recommendations from researchers and applied it to the context of their experiences to develop the essentials of a collaborative program that would create a cadre of highly qualified candidates for school leadership. Findings from the focus groups were used by leaders of the school district and faculty from the university in the planning process for a pilot program.