Principal for a Day is an annual event where volunteers from the public sector and business community partner with MFEF and the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to experience a "day in the life" of a principal to help individuals learn about the common ground shared and the multitude of challenges faced every day at a school site. The goal is to generate ongoing partnerships that support students and teachers in achieving academic excellence. Through this program MFEF and OUSD hope to:

Provide business and community leaders the opportunity to familiarize themselves with Oakland Public Schools and experience firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing public education.

Provide business and community leaders the opportunity to become more closely acquainted with the multifaceted role of principals as school leaders and use their business acumen to observe and reflect on the daily process of education.

Encourage ongoing relationships between business, community, and school leaders and generate potential partnerships which will improve our schools.

Principal for a Day is a benefit to the school district, local corporations, and civic organizations. It forges new connections and relationships between organizations that have a lot in common, but that might not otherwise connect with one another. Furthermore, the event opens the possibility for sustained relationships and exchange of resources over time with one another. To date, MFEF has had more than 300 volunteers participate in Principal For A Day, many of whom have developed long-term relationships with Oakland public schools.

"It is our season to write a new chapter in American education. This message is confirmed among and resonates with the people of Oakland." - Dr. Marcus Foster.