School Principal

Your Fit

Income

$110K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

1.1%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a School Principal?

School Principals oversee the daily operations of elementary, middle, and high schools. They are responsible for setting academic goals, managing staff, and ensuring a safe, productive learning environment for students.

Sample job titles:

Elementary Principal, Middle School Principal, Principal, Superintendent

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with School Principal.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a School Principal earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is School Principal.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$73K per year	$94K per year	$110K per year	$127K per year	$145K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $45K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a School Principal do?

Work environment

Principals typically work in private and public school settings. Their environment involves interaction with teachers, students, and parents, as well as administrative tasks in an office. They often attend school events and meetings, sometimes outside of regular school hours.

Quick task list

Develops and implements school policies and programs.
Hires, trains, and evaluates teachers and staff.
Manages school budgets and resources.
Ensures compliance with education regulations and standards.
Addresses concerns of parents, students, and teachers.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Elementary School Principal: Specializing in managing educational programs for younger children.
Middle School Principal: Focusing on the transitional education phase of early adolescents.
High School Principal: Overseeing the preparation of students for college and careers.
Special Education Administration: Tailoring programs and policies to meet the needs of students with special needs.

Description

School Principals are pivotal in shaping the educational experience and environment for students. Their role requires a balance of educational leadership, administrative skills, and interpersonal abilities. They set academic standards and goals, and work collaboratively with teachers to develop and maintain high-quality educational programs.

Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as principals often serve as a point of contact for concerns and issues raised by students, teachers, and parents. They must be adept at conflict resolution and be able to make decisions that are in the best interests of the school community.

Staying current with educational trends and legal requirements is a significant part of the role. Principals need to ensure their schools comply with state and federal education laws. They also play a crucial role in fostering a positive school culture, promoting safety, and encouraging student achievement and well-being.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Positively impacting student education and development.
Leading and supporting teachers and school staff.
Contributing to the creation of a positive school culture and environment.

You might make a good School Principal if you are...

Passionate about education and student development.
A strong leader with excellent communication skills.
Capable of making informed decisions and managing a team.
Interested in educational administration and policy.
Able to handle a variety of challenges and responsibilities.

Pros:

Impactful Leadership: The role of a school principal allows for significant influence in shaping the educational environment and policies, impacting students' lives and learning.
Professional Autonomy: Principals often have considerable autonomy in managing their schools, allowing for creativity and innovation in school administration.
Community Engagement: Opportunity to engage with and contribute to the community, building relationships with students, teachers, parents, and local organizations.
Career Fulfillment: The role can be highly rewarding, seeing the direct impact of your leadership on students and educators.

Cons:

High Responsibility: Carrying the responsibility for an entire school, including staff, students, and academic performance, can be daunting.
Long Working Hours: The job often extends beyond school hours, with evenings and weekends dedicated to school events, meetings, and administrative duties.
Stressful Decision-Making: Facing challenges such as budget constraints, staffing issues, and implementing educational policies can be stressful.
Accountability: High accountability to educational standards, student performance, and community expectations.

How to become a School Principal

Typical education

A master's degree in education administration or leadership is commonly required. Additionally, principals usually have experience as teachers and may need state-specific administrative licensure.

High school preparation

Courses:

Education and Child Development Courses: To understand the basics of teaching and learning processes.
Leadership and Management Classes: For foundational knowledge in leadership and organizational skills.
Psychology: To gain insight into child and adolescent development.
Communication Studies: Effective communication is crucial in managing a school and engaging with the community.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Leadership Roles in Student Organizations: Such as student council, to develop leadership and decision-making skills.
Volunteer Tutoring or Mentoring: To gain experience in educational settings and working with students.
Participation in Community Service: Builds empathy, understanding of diverse needs, and community engagement skills.

Preparation after high school

Bachelor's Degree: Typically in education, child development, or a related field.
Teaching Certification and Experience: Most principals start as teachers; teaching experience is essential.
Master's Degree in Educational Leadership or Administration: Often required for principal positions.
Professional Development: In leadership, educational policy, and administration through workshops and seminars.

More resources

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) - Provides resources, professional development, and advocacy for elementary and middle school principals.
Occupational Information Network (O*NET Online) - A tool for career exploration and job analysis, including detailed information about the role of a School Principal.
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) - Offers resources, networking, and advocacy for secondary school principals.
American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) - Provides support, professional development, and resources for school leaders, including principals.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) - Offers resources and community engagement for educational leaders focused on curriculum and administration.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - Provides resources and professional development for principals dealing with special education.
Education Week - A leading news source for K-12 education, offering insights, trends, and information relevant to school principals.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.