How to become a principal

Many choose the teaching profession because they want to have a positive influence in their community. However, while a teacher—even a highly motivated and effective one—may only have 20-30 students in their class, a school principal can affect the lives of 200-300 or more.

A principal is more than a school building manager, or someone tasked with enforcing school board rules and regulations. These days, the principal of a school is expected to be the leader of a team, delivering effective instruction to all students. This is mainly achieved through fostering a learning-centered environment and a sense of school community.

Is it hard to become a principal?

Becoming a school principal requires more preparation and planning than becoming a teacher. A higher level of education, such as a master’s degree in education, is usually required. Several years of teaching as well as experience in school administration are also expected to become a principal, with more weight generally given to the latter.

Many states require the completion of an approved professional development program. Some may even have their own licensing or screening process for all principal candidates.

Superintendent vs principal

A superintendent is a higher-level administrative role than a principal. Both are responsible for implementing school board policies, deploying available resources, and facilitating student success. However, while a principal oversees the day-to-day operations of a single school, the superintendent is the chief executive officer of the entire school district.

What personal characteristics define an excellent administrator?

An effective school principal needs to be comfortable in a position of authority over others. Positive leadership includes being empathetic and a good listener, since a principal’s job is to encourage teamwork and collaboration.

A good principal can motivate teachers and students, get teachers to cooperate with each other, and help them to take on problem-solving and leadership roles.

Benefits of being a school principal

A major benefit of being a school principal is the prospect of making an impact in the lives and future success of a greater number of students. A principal’s duty is to all the students in the school, not just a single class or grade.

Becoming a principal is also an opportunity to acquire new skills, such as expertise in financial administration, or to deploy a wider range of your talents. The principal of a school earns a substantially higher salary than a teacher due to the greater workload and responsibility of the role.

What does a school principal do?

While the remit of a school principal is wide-ranging, below are some of the main tasks and responsibilities associated with the role.

6 Steps to become a principal

While alternative teaching certification programs are available, the following steps outline the typical educational route an aspiring principal might take.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree

The first step in becoming a principal is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education, or in a subject you are interested in teaching. It is helpful to take a test that helps you to choose a major, because specialization is especially important for high school teachers.

If you already know the specific age group you plan to work with, then you can choose a more specific bachelor’s program – such as a degree in early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education.

Step 2: Gain teaching experience

Prospective school principals are expected to have at least 2-3 years of teaching experience. In some cases, significant teaching experience in a range of educational settings can make up for the lack of a relevant postgraduate degree.

Step 3: Take on administrative roles

Developing your leadership skills is essential to being an effective school principal. Various administrative functions may be combined with teaching and provide good preparation for the added responsibilities of a school principal. A common steppingstone is the position of Assistant Principal.

Step 4: Earn a postgraduate degree

To become a principal, a master’s degree in education is required by most school boards. Although not usually a requirement, an aspiring principal might go on to pursue a PhD in education, or a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Change and Leadership to further their skills and increase job prospects.

Step 5: Get certified to work as a principal

In addition to an advanced degree, many states require the completion of a professional development program followed by a state licensure or certification exam.

Step 6: Apply for principal positions

The final step is to apply for available school principal jobs. One way to do this is to register with your state’s department of education to receive notifications of new openings. Note that private and charter schools have more flexibility and are not required to hire administrators with formal training and certification.

Financial aid and scholarships for educators

Financial aid to cover the necessary education can be accessed by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Graduate students may benefit from participating in a teaching assistantship, where they help professors teach undergraduate courses. The typical compensation is either a discount on tuition or a stipend.

Eligible teachers can benefit from the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and have up to $17,500 of their federal student loans forgiven. The main requirement is that they spend 5 consecutive years teaching in a school serving low-income students.

Principal salary and demand

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2021 the average annual salary for all school principals was $98,420.

The salary of a school principal tends to be dependent on school level, location, and size. Some types of teachers are more in demand than others, and the same can be said for principals. On average, the principal of a high school earns more than a primary school principal, and salaries tend to be higher in larger urban or suburban schools.

Jobs for principals at all school levels (elementary, middle, and secondary) are projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, which is close to the national average growth for all occupations.

Find demand and salary data by state below, based on government statistics for all elementary and secondary school administrators.

Final thoughts on becoming a principal

Due to the educational requirements, becoming a principal is a serious investment of time and money. However, with a growing demand for principals, above average salaries – not to mention the rewarding nature of the work – this investment is usually returned many times over.

If you are interested in becoming a principal, check out the education degrees geared toward aspiring principals or superintendents. After this you can move on to picking the right school for you and beginning the educational journey required to become a principal.