School Principal
A school principal is an educational administrator responsible for managing elementary, middle, or secondary schools. They play a crucial role in establishing performance goals for students and teachers, setting school policies, hiring and supervising staff, managing finances, and enforcing discipline. Principals serve as representatives of the school in the community, engaging with parents, local officials, and vendors, organizing fundraising activities, and handling public relations during emergencies. The work environment is dynamic and often stressful, as principals navigate the complexities of school life, from disciplinary issues to curriculum development.
To become a principal, candidates typically need a master's degree in education or a related field, along with several years of teaching experience. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills, as principals interact with various stakeholders, including students, teachers, and families. Their job satisfaction often stems from their ability to improve educational quality and address students' needs. Principals are well-compensated for their responsibilities, with a median annual salary of around $103,460.
School Principal
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Education & Training
Interests: Education, management, school administration, budgeting, child development, resource planning
Earnings (Yearly Median): $103,460 per year
Employment & Outlook: 1% (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience Five years or more
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Principals are educational administrators who manage elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Principals establish student and teacher performance goals, set school policies following the wishes of parents and teachers, hire and supervise school personnel, enforce rules, and discipline students as necessary. They manage the school’s finances, make annual budgets, establish teacher and class schedules, and perform other administrative duties as required. A principal functions as the school’s representative within the community—they meet with vendors and suppliers, organize fundraising activities, attend conferences, and issue statements to the press.
Work Environment. Principals work from offices located inside the schools they oversee. Although the principal has their own office, they spend much of the workday walking the halls of the school, meeting with teachers, students, facilities staff, administrative assistants, and others. Schools are crowded, energetic environments during school hours. Principals frequently respond to stressful situations, such as student fights, angry parents, disciplinary issues, or school-wide emergencies. They attend regular meetings of local government agencies, such as school committees and boards of selectmen or city councils. Principals typically work a forty-hour workweek, although they may work at night for public meetings and student activities. There are significant differences in a principal's job responsibilities depending on the students' ages and the school's size and location.
Occupation Interest. Principals are highly educated individuals interested in school administration who find job satisfaction in acting as managers and leaders within elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Principals perform a variety of activities and enjoy considerable authority within the school. They make final decisions regarding academic and disciplinary policies as well as staffing and scheduling needs. They should have strong communication skills as they frequently function in a public relations capacity during meetings with families and community leaders. Principals are financially well compensated for their years of education and the demands of the job.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Students often view the principal as enforcers of the school’s disciplinary and attendance rules, but their job duties comprise many tasks. The principal meets with families to discuss students’ progress and relevant developments and policies at the school. The principal is responsible for hiring qualified faculty members and supervises teachers on new materials, educational goals, testing requirements, teaching methods, and classes. They set performance standards for staff, evaluating their progress and meeting with them to discuss ways to improve. The principal ensures that the school and its staff comply with government-imposed standards and monitors the effectiveness of those standards, reporting periodically to the school superintendent and local school committee. The principal works with school officials and teachers to develop and implement the school’s curriculum, programs, and standards.
The principal acts as the school's chief administrator—they develop mission statements, strategic plans, budgets, and other important documents. The principal sets daily schedules, establishes administrative systems and protocols, and approves food, repair work, and supplies orders.
The principal also manages the school’s public relations efforts. When an emergency occurs, the principal communicates with the media, school officials, families, and the public. They also assist in raising funds for the school from local businesses during economic difficulty.
All principals spend some time addressing students’ emotional needs and family situations. To that end, they may implement daycare programs, gifted programs, school breakfast or lunch programs, parent-teacher conferences, learning disability programs, or anti-bullying policies. Principals at high schools must often address and develop strategies to cope with complex behavioral issues, such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, safety and security, and poor student attendance. Principals are obligated to take thoughtful teaching approaches and make every effort to improve their students' education quality.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Principals work in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. They work in offices within the school’s main administrative area. Schools are very active and complex, with hundreds of students, teachers, and other school personnel in the building and grounds simultaneously. Principals also visit other schools and school systems and, when called upon, attend school board and other meetings at town or city halls and other local government offices.
Human Environment. Principals work with a wide range of people within and outside the school. Within the school, they work with teachers, administrators, assistants, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, librarians, coaches, and students. Principals work with school officials and elected officials, vendors and suppliers, consultants, accountants, and students’ families outside the school.
Technological Environment. Principals must be familiar with public address systems and two-way radios. They must also have skills with computers and school administrative and office management software, such as school attendance databases, budgeting programs, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students should take courses that will help them build a career as an educator. Mathematics, science, social studies, and English coursework will prepare students for college-level studies. Interested students are also encouraged to take child growth and development classes and psychology courses.
Postsecondary. Elementary, middle, and secondary school principals must earn a master’s or doctorate in education, psychology, education administration, or a related field. Interested college students should consider applying to graduate programs in education or education administration, as most principals begin their careers as teachers.
Related Occupations
− Secondary and Middle School Teacher
Bibliography
"Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 11-9032 Education Administrators, Kindergarten Through Secondary." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119032.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.