How educational leaders can be prepared to carry out their responsibilities in an effective and sensitive fashion is explored in the context of an urban, diverse school environment by describing the Assistant Principal Leadership Academy of the Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso (Texas). The Academy is a unique professional development program that is tailored specifically to the needs of assistant principals so that they can eventually become effective principals. The Ysleta schools have been committed to the belief that educational change begins with changes in educational leadership, and that the principal must be the central actor in efforts to respond to the needs of all students, especially poor and minority students in the Ysleta district, which borders on Mexico. Over 85 percent of students in the Ysleta district are minorities, about 65 percent are low income, and about 60 percent are of limited English proficiency or do not speak English. The main goal of the Assistant Principal Leadership Academy is to commit, plan for, and implement change in schools through preparation of assistant principals. Partnership with the University of Texas, El Paso and the creation of learning opportunities mean that assistant principals receive instruction that is committed to the fundamental issues of change and improvement for urban minority students. Providing assistant principals with mentors is an important part of providing the support administrators need. Specific professional development goals of assistant principals are identified and promoted as a first step in a comprehensive process of leadership development. (SLD)