How to become A School Principal

An authentic school needs a genuine Principal - one who builds character, inspires dreams, encourages creativity, inspires confidence, instills a love of learning, touches hearts, and changes lives forever.

• Head of School
• Head Teacher
• Headmaster/Headmistress
• School Director

What do School Principals do?

A School Principal would typically need to:

• Provide strategic direction to the school system while ensuring their school follows government regulations
• Hire and evaluate staff, coordinate staff schedules, oversee the development of standardized curricula, and assess teaching methods
• Collaborate with teachers to set and achieve high-performance goals and coordinate staff training days
• Monitor student achievement by working directly with students who need help meeting or setting goals
• Maintain a good rapport with students and encourage parent involvement while dealing with matters that need immediate attention, such as student disciplinary issues or a call from a concerned parent
• Administer the budget and oversee facilities
• Attend school functions after hours such as basketball games, concerts, plays, parent conferences, and school board meetings
• Be ready to answer questions from the public about how the school is rectifying any achievement gaps between diverse groups of students
• Provide guidance to the school’s network of student leaders and challenge those leaders to make the school a better place
• Take the lead in planning events such as back to school nights and college admissions/jobs fairs
• Serve as the direct liaison between the school and the school board, ensuring that the school operates according to school board protocols
• Develop, enforce, and revise safety protocols and emergency response procedures

As School Principal, you will typically work out of an office in your school’s main building. But you’re not confined to an office - School Principals often sit in on classes, host school assemblies, attend off-site meetings, and represent their school at conferences and local or regional events.

School Principals also frequently travel to the school district’s administrative offices to report to the superintendent. The dress code would be business formal.

School Principals typically work long hours and attend many events and meetings outside the normal school day. 

School Principals work in elementary, middle, or high schools in the private or public sector. Most School Principal jobs are in public schools.

School Principals are generally employed by:

• Public High Schools
• Public Middle Schools
• Public Elementary Schools
• Private High Schools
• Private Middle Schools
• Private Elementary Schools

Professional associations and organizations are a key resource for School Principals interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks great on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a School Principal.

• Intense pressure to meet achievement standards despite budget shortfalls
• Prevention of bullying
• Continuous technology updates
• Hiring and retaining qualified teachers

If you already have classroom teaching experience, you will have a jump-start on this career. Many aspiring School Principals spend a few years teaching to better understand student needs and teacher concerns.

Two or more years in a school leadership role will balance the scales in your favor. Other requirements for a School Principal may include an internship and maintaining a portfolio of accomplishments in the program.

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in education followed by an MSc degree in education, leadership, or management is typically preferred when considering candidates for the position of School Principal. Online degree programs such as MEd in Educational Leadership or EdD in Educational Administration can help prospective School Principals sharpen their skills. A master’s degree in education administration is required in order to be licensed as a School Principal.

Study of learning theories, multiculturalism, curriculum design, ethics, laws and regulations, state and federal standards, management techniques, teacher evaluation, budgeting, and facilities management will give you a better understanding of what the job entails.

Along with a valid teaching license, most employers expect aspirant School Principals to pass a background check.

Licensing is done by individual government entities, and typically requires the passage of an examination and/or interview in addition to fulfillment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

Successful certification programs serve and protect the public welfare by investigating School Principals that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. They help a profession secure its future by earning trust and respect.

With additional education or certification, School Principals are qualified for a wide range of educational jobs in both the public and private sectors.

After working in the field for a while, some Principals get more education, such as a doctorate degree, and become a school Superintendent, overseeing the operations of an entire school district.School Principals can easily become teachers if they obtain the proper credentials and have a strong educational background in the subject they plan to teach.

With a master’s degree in an education-related field, Principals can transition into being an Academic Advisor at either the private or college/university level.

School Principals can become Professors if they earn a doctorate in the area where they wish to research and teach. School Principals can become Education Consultants if they want to tackle challenges in schools and education systems.School Principals can become Policy Analysts and examine big-picture issues affecting education nationwide.

School Principals can work at institutions of higher learning if they make connections with administrators at the college/university level. For a higher-level position such as Dean or President, a master’s degree or doctorate in educational leadership may be required.

Candidates with natural leadership abilities and a passion for creating a productive educational experience are the ones with the best job prospects.

The School Principal is usually the top job in a school’s administrative hierarchy. Before you can become the Principal of a school, you may have to work for years in other jobs. And your job performance will have to be consistently outstanding if you want to outcompete other candidates for Principal jobs.

Most School Principals start as teachers. If you want to become a School Principal, you should pursue a career as a teacher in a subject you feel passionate about. You will teach for years for the chance to one day move into an academic, administrative role, and from there, you may have the opportunity to become a School Principal. You will not have much time for on-the-job training; it is important to learn as much as possible about school operations and communication with staff and parents before you become a Principal.

You will also want to seriously consider earning an advanced degree in a field related to education and leadership and management. An advanced degree can boost your resume, increase your earning power, and allow you to leapfrog over the competition to become a School Principal years before you would otherwise.

If you’re pursuing a degree in an education-related field, seek internships or other opportunities to gain experience in the administrative offices of a school, university, or any other learning institution.

Once you become a School Principal, you should look into joining a professional association that provides access to networking opportunities, training, conferences, and more.

Visionary and Effective Leadership

Effective School Principals care deeply about student success and recognize that test scores are not the only measure of quality education. They immerse themselves in all aspects of the school system to monitor daily activities and emerging issues.

No two days are the same because of the varied responsibilities of a Principal’s job. Suppose you are a visionary leader with effective communication skills and a desire to provide diverse students with an exceptional education. In that case, you may have what it takes to confidently serve in the role of a School Principal.

Reporting Structure

You will probably have the help of one or more Assistant Principals and auxiliary clerical workers. Every person who works for a school, from teachers to academic advisors to custodial workers, ultimately reports to a School Principal.

As Principal, the district superintendent is your immediate superior. You will need to regularly present reports, documents, and other findings related to the management and success of your school to the superintendent.

Public and Private School Principals

Public School Principals lead elementary, middle, and high schools funded by a governmental entity and provide free education to children in a geographically defined area, usually called a district. Private School Principals lead elementary, middle, and high schools that are unaffiliated with government agencies. Some private School Principals are called Headmasters.

The Principal of a school is its heart and soul. The limitless passion, skills, and drive that a great Principal brings to the table sets the tone for the entire establishment.

Becoming a School Principal is not easy. As the Principal, you are the face of the school. You will have plenty of competition because it is a well-compensated, prestigious position. You have to provide leadership in times of crisis and lay out optimistic visions for the future of the educational institution you serve. If you are ambitious and truly believe in the importance of education, it is a career path you should seriously consider.

I have three precious things, which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle, be bold; be frugal, and be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others, and you can become a leader among men.