This research aims to explore the role of leadership in formal schools ‘Unggul’ (superior) under the auspices of Islamic boarding schools (Pesantren). The research method used qualitative, with multiple case studies. The research subjects were three formal schools under the auspices of Pesantren located in East Java, Indonesia. Furthermore, there were 12 informants representing three schools consisting of school principals, foundation (Yayasan) heads, staff, and students. The results show three leadership roles in formal schools ‘Unggul’: transformational, participatory, and paternalistic. Following this, the leadership of formal schools also has a spirit of service and tawadhu (humility) towards the Foundation that oversees the school. The theoretical contribution of this research is that the addition of the leadership role theory, especially the leadership at formal schools under Pesantren, and the practical implications are providing knowledge to fellow Islamic boarding schools about leadership systems of formal schools Unggul under the auspices of Islamic boarding schools.