Nationwide, school district administrators are puzzling about how to increase the number of high quality principal candidates. Some districts have started programs to grow their own administrators. These districts, sometimes in conjunction with university programs, are providing training and mentoring for future school leaders. Some districts are developing programs intended to recruit and prepare candidates from among their current staff members. Never before has there existed a greater need for universities and school districts to work together to prepare principals for the future. For these partnerships to be successful, however, certain conditions must be present. This article discusses the structural and organizational features of the partnership called the Denver Metro Cohort which include determining the mutual need for the partnership; joint selection of participants; on-site delivery of the leadership program; joint planning prior to the beginning of the program; school district input on the curriculum and instructional delivery; the use of cohort groups; mentoring of program participants; and ongoing review of the effectiveness of the partnership.