This book is a foundational introduction to the application of lean for school administrators. Five lean essentials, paired combinations of lean tools and concepts, are described in detail within the context of typical leadership practice. The book deals with familiar problems in schools today, such as with handling instructional remediation, aligning instructional delivery to mission, conducting special education budget reductions, evaluating administrators, and standardizing instructional best practice in reading. Regardless of the problems faced by school leaders, the book highlights how lean concepts and tools are particularly helpful in engaging employees, achieving outstanding results and sustaining continuous improvement.