High School Principal
A High School Principal directs and manages a school’s instructional programs and supervises personnel at the campus level, providing leadership that sustains high standards of instruction and a strong school culture. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a High School Principal do?
The primary purpose of the High School Principal is to direct and manage the instructional programs and supervise personnel at the campus level. The role provides leadership to ensure high standards of instructional service, oversees compliance with school policies, and supports the success of instructional programs.
It is a K-12 secondary school leadership role within the education sector, centered on instructional quality, teacher development, and campus culture.
A High School Principal is the senior instructional and administrative leader of a secondary school, responsible for teaching quality, personnel, curriculum, and school culture. The role is distinct from post-secondary administration, focusing on instructional leadership and the development of classroom teachers.
What does the Principal oversee?
Key responsibilities of a High School Principal
- Ensure academic policies and curriculum are followed, and develop and track benchmarks for measuring institutional success.
- Help teachers maximize their teaching potential and collaborate with colleagues on curriculum development and instructional strategies.
- Evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness, exhibiting a growth mindset about teaching practices.
- Establish effective communication and relationships with students and parents.
- Develop and maintain professional, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, and community partners to benefit students.
- Represent the school at community or public events in the highest ethical manner.
- Help maintain school policies, regulations, and expectations.
- Be responsible at all times for the supervision of students in your care during classes and generally when on or off campus.
- Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned by the administration.
What qualifications does the role require?
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in education administration or leadership.
- Minimum of five years working as a school principal, with at least five years of leadership experience and five years of teaching experience.
- Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction, and the ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness.
- Expertise in entrepreneurship education is required.
- A collaborative work style with the ability to take initiative, and strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Why is the High School Principal role important?
The principal sets the instructional tone and culture of a school. Their leadership shapes teaching quality, student experience, and whether the school meets its academic and community goals, with effects that reach every classroom.
Because the role blends instructional coaching, personnel management, and community relationships, the strongest principals lead teachers as a coach while still holding accountability for the whole campus. That balance of support and standards defines effective school leadership.
A hiring note from Excelon
Principal searches reward leaders who can develop teachers and hold standards at the same time, especially in mission-driven independent schools. Through our education practice, we look for experienced principals with both leadership and classroom teaching backgrounds, since credibility with teachers comes from having taught, and culture is built by leaders who coach rather than just evaluate.
The strongest principals lead teachers as a coach while still holding accountability for the whole campus.
Related sample job descriptions
High School Principal: frequently asked questions
What does a High School Principal do?
A High School Principal directs and manages instructional programs and supervises personnel at the campus level, ensuring high standards of instruction, overseeing compliance with school policies, and supporting the success of instructional programs.
What qualifications does the role require?
This sample role requires a master’s degree or equivalent experience in education administration or leadership, at least five years as a school principal, and at least five years each of leadership and teaching experience.
Is this a K-12 or higher education role?
This is a K-12 secondary school leadership role. It centers on instructional leadership, teacher development, and campus management at the high school level rather than post-secondary administration.
What instructional approach does the role emphasize?
This sample emphasizes a growth mindset, collaborative curriculum development, and instructional coaching, with specific expertise in entrepreneurship education among the requirements.
Why is this role important?
The principal sets the instructional tone and culture of a school. Their leadership shapes teaching quality, student experience, and whether the school meets its academic and community goals.
Hiring a High School Principal?
Excelon Associates recruits principals, heads of school, and K-12 leadership for independent and private schools across the United States through our education recruitment practice. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.