Over the next five years, schools will be expected to replace more than 60% of key leadership in independent schools. This is just one example of the growing evidence of shortages of persons filling key leadership positions. Based on this increasing concern, there is a need to develop a strategy to ensure the efficacy of prospective heads and their educational enterprises but also to ensure that the leaders of independent schools have the specific training, better understanding of issues critical to independent school leadership and opportunities to advance their careers. While the evidence exists on the effectiveness of some preparation programs for public school administrators, there is little literature and scholarly inquiry specifically focused on preparing independent school leaders. Educational leadership programs can be designed specifically and established for independent school leaders. The intent of this study is to present a framework for designing leadership development programs for independent schools and address the needs of the leaders within those schools. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]