How to become an assistant principal

How to become an Assistant Principal

Becoming an assistant principal typically requires a combination of education, experience, and development of leadership skills. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education
The road to becoming an assistant principal usually starts with earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Secondary Education, or a related field. This undergraduate degree equips students with the foundational knowledge related to teaching, child development, curriculum design, and classroom management. Majoring in a specific subject area, such as English, mathematics, or science, is another option.

Teacher Preparation Program
As part of a bachelor's degree, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. This includes both coursework and supervised student teaching experience.

State Certification / Licensing
After completing a bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program, you must obtain state certification (in the US) or equivalent in your country. Teacher certification requirements vary by state, but typically include passing standardized exams, such as the Praxis Elementary Education Tests, the Praxis Middle School Content Knowledge Test, or the Praxis Secondary Education Tests.

Gain Teaching Experience
Most assistant principals start their careers as classroom teachers. Generally, they accumulate several years of teaching experience (usually three to five years or more), which helps them develop an understanding of the classroom environment, student needs, and educational practices.

Gain Administrative Experience
While teaching, you may want to take on roles such as department chair, team leader, mentor teacher, curriculum coordinator, or instructional coach. These positions help build the leadership experience that is valuable for pursuing administrative positions.

Taking part in committees or school-wide initiatives will also help you build a reputation as a leader and show your ability to work collaboratively with teachers, students, and parents.

In some school districts, assistant principal internships or residencies may be available, allowing you to assist current assistant principals with day-to-day tasks and gain first-hand knowledge and skills in leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and organization.

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
Most states and provinces require an advanced degree, typically a Master’s in Educational Administration, for individuals pursuing a career as a principal or assistant principal. The master's program covers topics such as school law, curriculum development, leadership theory, organizational management, budgeting, school governance, and human resources management.

Some regions may accept candidates with a master’s in a related field combined with relevant administrative experience.

Principal Certification or Licensure
In addition to a master’s degree, aspiring assistant principals often need to earn a principal/school administrator certification or licensure, depending on the region. This may involve completing a state-approved principal preparation program, gaining supervised leadership experience, and passing an exam (e.g., the Praxis Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision Test) that tests knowledge in areas like educational law and school management. Depending on the jurisdiction, a background check may also be required.

Private and charter schools may have more flexible requirements and may not always require specific principal licensure.

Continue Professional Development
Even after becoming an assistant principal, ongoing professional development is important. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops to stay current with educational trends, policies, and leadership practices, and gain new insights into handling complex school issues. In many regions principals are required to earn continuing education credits to maintain their license.

Certifications
Assistant principals can pursue several professional designations and certifications to advance their careers. These credentials validate their proficiency in school administration, instructional leadership, and educational management:

• National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) – Offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) - USA, this certification is a prestigious, voluntary credential that demonstrates advanced proficiency in educational leadership. It is designed for principals, assistant principals, and other school administrators. Focus areas include leadership, student learning, school improvement strategies, and instructional effectiveness.
• International School Leadership (ISL) Certificate – This globally recognized credential is targeted at principals working in international or private schools. It is awarded to candidates who complete the ISL program, which focuses on global best practices in school leaderships. The program is comprised of six modules: Leadership for School Improvement, Characteristics of Effective Schools and Systems, Building Relationships and Developing People, Setting Goals and Expectations Using Data-Informed Decision Making, Leading Improvement in Classroom Instruction, Instructional Leadership Project Plan - The application of theory to practice.
• Instructional Leader Certification – Offered by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), this certification program focuses on technology integration in education, making it ideal for principals leading tech-focused initiatives. The ISTE is comprised of five key areas: Enhancing Student Learning Experiences, Leveraging Data-driven Decision Making, Advancing Curriculum Development, Improving Teaching Quality, Innovation and Change Management.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certification – Various organizations and institutions offer CTE programs, which are particularly relevant for principals and assistant principals of vocational or technical high schools. The CTE designation authorizes the holder to teach in the subject or subjects named on the credential. Among the available subjects, also known as industry sectors, are agriculture and natural resources, building and construction trades, energy and architecture, fashion and interior design, health science and medical technology, public services, and transportation.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the educational leadership community:

• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) – NAESP is a professional organization serving elementary and middle school principals and other education leaders throughout the US, Canada, and overseas. It provides advocacy, training and professional development resources, and networking opportunities.
• Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) – AMLE specifically focuses on advocating for middle school educators, including assistant principals. It offers networking opportunities, research-based resources, and tools for improving middle-level education and effectively supporting the unique developmental needs of young adolescents.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) – The NASSP serves secondary school leaders, offering resources, support, and leadership development programs. NASSP also awards the National Principal of the Year recognition.
• AASA-The School Superintendents Association – AASA (formerly the American Association of School Administrators) develops and supports school system leaders through the national exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications, and resources; and opportunities to champion initiatives to help transform the future of public education.
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) – ASCD is an international organization that supports educators at all levels. It offers research-based resources, leadership development programs, and opportunities for networking with other educational professionals. ASCD also publishes a variety of journals and materials related to curriculum and school improvement.
• Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) – The CCSSO is a non-partisan, nationwide, non-profit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in all US states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the five US extra-state jurisdictions (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands). The organization’s mission reads: ‘Together, CCSSO and state chiefs are committed to each child – across all backgrounds – graduating ready for college, careers, and life.’
• Canadian Association of Principals (CAP) – This national organization for school principals in Canada advocates for issues related to educational leadership and student success.