School Principal Resume examples & templates
Copyable School Principal Resume examples
Did you know that principals who excel at teacher feedback and evaluation help students gain the equivalent of an extra 2-7 months of learning in a single school year? It's a jaw-dropping stat that highlights just how pivotal school leaders are to student success. Today's principals juggle far more than administrative tasks—they're instructional leaders, community builders, crisis managers, and strategic visionaries rolled into one demanding role. The job has transformed dramatically in the last decade, with 75% of principals reporting their job has become too complex, yet the most successful school leaders find ways to distribute leadership and focus on what matters most: creating vibrant learning environments where both students and teachers thrive.
The landscape for school leadership continues to evolve, particularly as schools navigate post-pandemic learning recovery and increasing student mental health needs. Looking ahead, principals who can balance data-informed decision making with genuine relationship building will not only survive but transform their school communities—creating spaces where innovation happens daily and every student has the opportunity to succeed regardless of background.
Junior School Principal Resume Example
Michael J. Donovan
Boston, MA | (617) 555-0121 | mdonovan@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/michaeljdonovan
Dedicated new school principal with prior 6 years teaching experience and strong instructional leadership abilities. Committed to fostering positive school culture through collaborative leadership and data-informed decision making. Successfully transitioned from Assistant Principal to Principal role after demonstrating exceptional organizational and administrative capabilities in school operations.
EXPERIENCE
Principal – Oakridge Elementary School, Boston, MA
July 2023 – Present
- Lead a K-5 public elementary school with 347 students and 32 staff members, managing a yearly budget of $2.7M
- Implemented new teacher observation framework resulting in 19% improvement in instructional quality metrics during first semester
- Collaborate with PTA to secure $48,000 in additional funding for after-school STEM program serving underrepresented students
- Developed comprehensive school safety plan with local emergency services that reduced emergency response time by 4 minutes
- Currently overseeing curriculum alignment project to enhance vertical continuity between grade levels
Assistant Principal – Parkside Middle School, Cambridge, MA
August 2022 – June 2023
- Managed student discipline cases, reducing behavioral incidents by 27% through implementation of restorative justice practices
- Supervised and evaluated 14 teachers using district evaluation framework while providing actionable feedback
- Coordinated standardized testing logistics for 683 students, ensuring 100% compliance with state regulations
- Led data team meetings to analyze student performance trends and develop targeted intervention strategies
6th Grade Math Teacher / Department Chair – Westlake Middle School, Somerville, MA
August 2017 – July 2022
- Taught 5 sections of 6th grade mathematics to diverse learners while maintaining 92% proficiency rate on state assessments
- Led 6-person math department for 2 years, facilitating curriculum development and assessment alignment
- Created and implemented weekly math tutoring program for struggling students that improved math scores by 31%
- Selected as Teacher of the Year (2020) for innovative classroom technology integration
EDUCATION
Harvard University Graduate School of Education – Cambridge, MA
M.Ed. in School Leadership, GPA: 3.89
May 2022
Boston College – Chestnut Hill, MA
B.S. in Mathematics, Minor in Secondary Education
May 2017
CERTIFICATIONS
- Massachusetts Principal/Assistant Principal License (PreK-8), 2022
- Massachusetts Professional Teaching License – Mathematics (5-8), 2019
- Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certification, 2023
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) Certification, 2023
SKILLS
- Instructional Leadership
- Budget Management
- Curriculum Development
- Staff Evaluation & Development
- School Safety Planning
- Parent & Community Engagement
- Data Analysis
- Conflict Resolution
- Special Education Compliance
- PowerSchool SIS
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Member
- Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA), Member
Mid-level School Principal Resume Example
Michael Torres
Chicago, IL 60614 • (773) 555-8219 • mtorres@emaildomain.com • linkedin.com/in/michaeltorres
Professional Summary
Dedicated School Principal with 6+ years of administrative experience and a proven track record of improving student achievement metrics and school culture. Successfully led PS 118 through pandemic transitions while maintaining staff morale and boosting parent engagement by 41%. Passionate about equity-focused education with strengths in curriculum development, staff mentoring, and community partnerships.
Experience
Principal
Public School 118 | Chicago, IL | June 2020 – Present
- Lead a K-8 school with 42 staff members and 487 students, managing an annual budget of $3.7M
- Implemented a comprehensive reading intervention program that increased literacy proficiency scores by 22% over 3 years
- Secured $167,000 in grant funding for STEAM initiatives, resulting in the creation of a makerspace lab
- Cut disciplinary incidents by 37% through introduction of restorative justice practices and PBIS framework
- Collaborated with district leadership to develop pandemic response protocols that became a model for 6 neighboring schools
Assistant Principal
Montgomery Elementary School | Evanston, IL | August 2018 – May 2020
- Supervised curriculum implementation and assessment practices for grades 3-5
- Co-created professional development program that improved teacher retention from 72% to 89%
- Managed building operations during principal’s 4-month medical leave
- Established community partnerships with 5 local businesses to fund after-school programs
Dean of Students
Lincoln Middle School | Oak Park, IL | July 2017 – July 2018
- Oversaw student discipline, attendance, and social-emotional support programs for 650+ students
- Reduced chronic absenteeism by 19% through creation of targeted intervention strategy
- Facilitated monthly parent workshops with average attendance of 43 families
6th Grade Math Teacher / Grade Level Lead
Lincoln Middle School | Oak Park, IL | August 2014 – June 2017
- Taught 4 sections of 6th grade mathematics and 1 section of advanced math
- Coordinated grade-level activities and communication as team lead for 7 teachers
- Increased student math proficiency by 13% through implementation of small group instruction
Education
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 2016
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL | 2013
Certifications
Illinois Professional Educator License with Administrative Endorsement (Type 75)
Restorative Justice Practices Facilitator Certification (2021)
Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) Certified Trainer (2019)
Skills
- Budget Management & Resource Allocation
- Curriculum Development & Assessment
- Teacher Evaluation & Coaching
- School Improvement Planning
- Data Analysis & Goal Setting
- Crisis Management
- Community Engagement & Outreach
- Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
- Cultural Competency & Equity Initiatives
- Google Workspace & PowerSchool SIS
Professional Affiliations
National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
Illinois Principals Association – North Cook Region Board Member
Chicago Public Schools Leadership Council
Senior / Experienced School Principal Resume Example
JAMES M. RODRIGUEZ
Portland, OR 97205 • (503) 555-7892 • jrodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/jamesrodriguez
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Forward-thinking School Principal with 12+ years in education leadership roles and a track record of raising academic performance metrics while fostering inclusive school communities. Skilled in curriculum development, staff management, and budget administration with experience implementing data-informed improvement strategies. Passionate about creating student-centered learning environments where both students and teachers can thrive. Successfully led two schools through accreditation processes with exceptional feedback from review committees.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS PREPARATORY ACADEMY – Portland, OR
Principal | August 2018 – Present
- Lead a staff of 67 educators and support personnel serving 723 students in grades 6-12, maintaining 94% graduation rate despite pandemic challenges
- Spearheaded implementation of competency-based learning model that increased student proficiency in math by 17% and reading by 23% over three years
- Managed $4.8M annual budget with strategic allocation resulting in expanded STEM programming while maintaining fiscal responsibility
- Created teacher mentorship program pairing veteran educators with new staff, reducing first-year teacher turnover from 22% to just 7%
- Secured $375K in grant funding for technology integration, enabling 1:1 device program and teacher professional development
- Collaborated with parent groups and community partners to launch after-school enrichment program serving 42% of student population
LAKESIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – Salem, OR
Assistant Principal | July 2014 – July 2018
- Supervised daily operations for K-5 school of 482 students, including discipline, attendance, and safety protocols
- Co-developed schoolwide positive behavior intervention system that reduced disciplinary referrals by 36% in first year
- Led curriculum alignment initiative across grade levels, resulting in more cohesive learning progression and improved standardized test scores
- Organized and facilitated professional learning communities focused on data-driven instruction and differentiation strategies
- Conducted over 60 teacher evaluations annually, providing actionable feedback and growth-oriented coaching
RIVERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL – Eugene, OR
Instructional Coach / 8th Grade English Teacher | August 2010 – June 2014
- Taught 5 sections of 8th grade English while serving as instructional coach for 12 colleagues
- Facilitated weekly collaborative planning sessions that increased cross-curricular integration
- Developed and implemented school-wide literacy initiative that improved student writing proficiency by 18%
- Served on district curriculum adoption committee and led teacher training for new ELA materials
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY – Portland, OR
Educational Leadership, Ed.D., 2019
Dissertation: “Building Sustainable Leadership Capacity in Urban Schools”
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON – Eugene, OR
Educational Administration, M.Ed., 2012
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY – Corvallis, OR
Secondary Education, B.S., 2007
Minor: English Literature
CERTIFICATIONS
- Oregon Administrative License (K-12), expires 2026
- Oregon Teaching License – English Language Arts (6-12), expires 2025
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) – School Culture Institute Certification, 2020
SKILLS & EXPERTISE
- Strategic Planning & School Improvement
- Curriculum Development & Instructional Leadership
- Staff Supervision, Evaluation & Professional Development
- Budget Management & Resource Allocation
- Data Analysis & Performance Monitoring
- Crisis Management & Emergency Response
- Community Engagement & Partnership Building
- Special Education Program Oversight
- School Climate & Culture Development
- Technology Integration & Digital Learning
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
- Oregon Association of School Executives (OASE)
- Portland Area School Administrators (PASA) – Treasurer, 2021-present
How to Write a School Principal Resume
Introduction
Landing a school principal position requires more than just experience – you need a resume that showcases your leadership abilities, educational philosophy, and concrete results. Your resume is often the first impression school boards and hiring committees have of you, so it needs to hit all the right notes. I've helped dozens of educators move into administration over my career, and I've noticed the resumes that get interviews share certain qualities that set them apart.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your principal resume clean and professional – this isn't the place for creative designs or unusual fonts. Most successful principal candidates use this basic structure:
- Length: 2 pages maximum (1 page is rarely enough for principal candidates)
- Font: Stick with readable classics like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman (10-12pt)
- Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around
- File format: PDF (preserves your formatting)
- Section order: Contact info, summary, experience, education, certifications, skills
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 3-5 sentences that capture who you are as an educational leader. This isn't just a list of years of experience – it should reflect your educational philosophy and leadership approach.
Don't just say you're "passionate about education." Instead, briefly mention your specific educational approach or a notable achievement that demonstrates your leadership style. For example: "Collaborative educational leader who transformed a struggling Title I school by implementing data-driven instruction and building strong community partnerships, raising graduation rates by 17% in three years."
Professional Experience
This is where most principals fail to stand out! Don't just list job duties – focus on your accomplishments and the impact you've had. For each role, include:
- School name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
- School details (public/private, grade levels, student population, any special designations)
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements with specific metrics
- Action verbs that demonstrate leadership (developed, implemented, transformed, etc.)
Example bullet point: "Reduced disciplinary referrals by 42% through implementation of PBIS framework and restorative justice practices, resulting in 78 additional instructional hours per semester."
Education and Certifications
As an educational leader, your credentials matter. List your degrees in reverse chronological order, including:
- Degree name and major
- University name and location
- Graduation year
- Administrative credentials and state-specific certifications
- Relevant specialized training (trauma-informed leadership, special education, etc.)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most districts use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human eyes see them. To get past these systems:
- Include keywords from the job posting (curriculum development, budget management, etc.)
- Mention specific programs you're familiar with (PBIS, IEP, MTSS, etc.)
- Use standard section headings that ATS systems recognize
- Avoid text boxes, headers/footers, and tables that might confuse ATS
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these throughout your resume (where relevant and honest):
- Student achievement data
- Professional development
- School improvement planning
- Teacher evaluation
- Curriculum alignment
- Community partnerships
- Data-driven decision making
- Budget management
- School safety protocols
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your impact (always include numbers when possible)
- Focusing only on management, not leadership
- Neglecting to mention parent/community engagement
- Omitting technology integration experience
- Forgetting to tailor your resume to the specific school district's needs
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for teacher evaluations and student discipline."
After: "Implemented growth-focused teacher evaluation system that identified professional development needs, resulting in 87% of teachers meeting or exceeding growth targets and reducing teacher turnover from 23% to 9% over two years."
Remember – your resume should tell the story of not just what you've done, but the positive change you've created in schools. Good luck with your principal application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your School Principal resume
- Conflict resolution – defusing tense situations between staff members, parents, and students while maintaining professional relationships
- Active listening that makes both students and teachers feel genuinely heard, even during chaotic periods
- Cross-functional team leadership across academic departments with competing priorities
- Cultural sensitivity when working with diverse student populations (our school has families from 27 different countries)
- Crisis management during unexpected situations (handled 3 facility emergencies without disrupting class schedules)
- Budget prioritization when dealing with limited resources and multiple stakeholder needs
Hard skills for your School Principal resume
- Student Information Systems (PowerSchool, Skyward, Infinite Campus)
- Budget management & financial resource allocation
- Crisis response & emergency management protocols
- Curriculum development & standards-based assessment implementation
- Teacher evaluation frameworks (Danielson, Marzano, etc.)
- Data analysis for school improvement planning
- State education code & compliance requirements
- School safety audit procedures
- PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) implementation