This chapter examines school leadership in the United States as it relates to the changing context for public education. In the midst of demographic shifts that have led to growing diversity across the country, public schools serve as key points of contact for immigrant youth and their families. At the same time, an expanding accountability system has put pressure on administrators to demonstrate academic achievement. Balancing the values of embracing diversity on the one hand and accountability pressure on the other challenges leaders to take responsibility for building school cultures that promote learning for all students. School leaders, empowered to shape school culture, curriculum, and teacher practice, rely on more than technical expertise as school leadership includes social and moral dimensions. As school leaders work to adapt and build capacity, they take on new roles as community advocates, innovators, and policy brokers. Helping educators to adapt instruction to incorporate language, identity and socioemotional learning, leaders are responsible for supporting professional learning within schools. Grounding their work in the needs of their communities and working toward the common good, they also serve as bridges to external resources and support. The chapter ends with implications for leadership training and support. [For the complete volume, "The Cultural and Social Foundations of Educational Leadership: An International Comparison. Educational Governance Research. Volume 16," see ED615841.]