Elementary School Principal Jobs
Elementary School Principal jobs are open across public K-8 districts, charter networks, and private schools, at every level from assistant principal to district-level leadership, with specializations in curriculum leadership, special education administration, and early childhood program oversight. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 36+ Elementary School Principal jobs
The following is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required:
Primary Purpose:
Direct and manage assigned areas of instructional program and campus operations. Oversee assigned student activities and services.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master’s degree
Texas principal or other appropriate Texas certificate
Advanced Education Leadership (AEL) certification, Instructional Leadership Training (ILT), or Instructional Leadership Development (ILD)
Certified T-TESS appraiser
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of campus operations
Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction
Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness
Ability to manage budget and personnel
Ability to implement policy and procedures
Ability to interpret data
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
Two years experience as a classroom teacher
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Management
- Encourage and support development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers pilot such efforts when appropriate. Participate in program evaluation measures and make suggestions for improvement where needed.
- Reinforce expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies and classroom management.
- Foster collegiality and team building among staff members. Encourage their active involvement in decision-making process.
School/Organizational Improvement
- Take a leadership role in planning activities and implementing programs to ensure attainment of the school’s mission.
- Participate in development of campus improvement plans with staff, parents, and community members.
- Help principal develop, maintain, and use information systems to maintain records and track progress on campus performance objectives and academic excellence indicators.
Student Management
- May act as campus behavioral coordinator in accordance with state laws and regulations.
- Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate.
- Ensure that school rules are uniformly applied and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.
- Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers.
- Ensure that students are adequately supervised during non instructional periods.
Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management
- Oversee campus operations in principal’s absence.
- Take a leadership role in planning and scheduling of daily school activities including the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules.
- Oversee reporting and monitoring of student attendance and work with staff to identify and address issues.
- Work with department heads and faculty to compile annual budget requests based on documented program needs.
- Requisition supplies, textbooks, and equipment and monitor and maintain inventory in accordance with district procedures.
- Coordinate operational support services such as transportation, custodial, and cafeteria to best meet campus needs.
- Comply with district policies, state and federal laws, and regulations affecting schools.
Personnel Management
- Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences as needed for designated teacher appraisal system.
- Assist principal in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff.
School/Community Relations
- Articulate the school’s mission to community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
- Demonstrate awareness of school-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs using appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise and evaluate the work of professional staff as assigned by the school principal. Direct the work of teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, clerical personnel and others as assigned.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals.
Posture: Frequent sitting and standing; occasional bending/stooping, pushing,/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching; frequent walking
Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior
Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather), exposure to noise; occasional districtwide and statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
Driving: Occasionally required to travel. Occasionally required to drive. All federally funded incumbents of this position will be prohibited from texting while driving a district-owned vehicle or a personal vehicle on grant-related business.
The following is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required:
Primary Purpose:
Direct and manage assigned areas of instructional program and campus operations. Oversee assigned student activities and services.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master’s degree
Texas principal or other appropriate Texas certificate
Advanced Education Leadership (AEL) certification, Instructional Leadership Training (ILT), or Instructional Leadership Development (ILD)
Certified T-TESS appraiser
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of campus operations
Working knowledge of curriculum and instruction
Ability to evaluate instructional program and teaching effectiveness
Ability to manage budget and personnel
Ability to implement policy and procedures
Ability to interpret data
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience:
Two years experience as a classroom teacher
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Instructional Management
- Encourage and support development of innovative instructional programs, helping teachers pilot such efforts when appropriate. Participate in program evaluation measures and make suggestions for improvement where needed.
- Reinforce expectations for staff performance with regard to instructional strategies and classroom management.
- Foster collegiality and team building among staff members. Encourage their active involvement in decision-making process.
School/Organizational Improvement
- Take a leadership role in planning activities and implementing programs to ensure attainment of the school’s mission.
- Participate in development of campus improvement plans with staff, parents, and community members.
- Help principal develop, maintain, and use information systems to maintain records and track progress on campus performance objectives and academic excellence indicators.
Student Management
- May act as campus behavioral coordinator in accordance with state laws and regulations.
- Work with faculty and students to develop a student discipline management system that results in positive student behavior and enhances the school climate.
- Ensure that school rules are uniformly applied and that student discipline is appropriate and equitable in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook.
- Conduct conferences about student and school issues with parents, students, and teachers.
- Ensure that students are adequately supervised during non instructional periods.
Administration and Fiscal/Facilities Management
- Oversee campus operations in principal’s absence.
- Take a leadership role in planning and scheduling of daily school activities including the development of class schedules, teacher assignments, and extracurricular activity schedules.
- Oversee reporting and monitoring of student attendance and work with staff to identify and address issues.
- Work with department heads and faculty to compile annual budget requests based on documented program needs.
- Requisition supplies, textbooks, and equipment and monitor and maintain inventory in accordance with district procedures.
- Coordinate operational support services such as transportation, custodial, and cafeteria to best meet campus needs.
- Comply with district policies, state and federal laws, and regulations affecting schools.
Personnel Management
- Observe employee performance, record observations, and conduct evaluation conferences as needed for designated teacher appraisal system.
- Assist principal in interviewing, selecting, and orienting new staff.
School/Community Relations
- Articulate the school’s mission to community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
- Demonstrate awareness of school-community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs using appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and parent involvement.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise and evaluate the work of professional staff as assigned by the school principal. Direct the work of teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, clerical personnel and others as assigned.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals.
Posture: Frequent sitting and standing; occasional bending/stooping, pushing,/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching; frequent walking
Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior
Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather), exposure to noise; occasional districtwide and statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
Driving: Occasionally required to travel. Occasionally required to drive. All federally funded incumbents of this position will be prohibited from texting while driving a district-owned vehicle or a personal vehicle on grant-related business.
Elementary School Principal Jobs by Experience Level
See All 36 Elementary School Principal Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsElementary School Principal Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in elementary school principal jobs.
- Valid state principal or administrator licensure or certification required
- Master's degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field
- Minimum three to five years of classroom teaching experience
- Experience with instructional leadership, curriculum development, and teacher evaluation
- Demonstrated ability to analyze student performance data and drive improvement
- Strong knowledge of special education law, IEP processes, and inclusive practices
Tips for Your Elementary School Principal Job Search
Tailor your resume to district priorities
Principals hired today are expected to lead data-driven instruction and improve standardized test outcomes. Quantify your impact with concrete school-level results, such as attendance improvements or reading proficiency gains, rather than listing generic leadership duties.
Highlight your state administrator license
Most districts filter applications automatically for the correct state-issued principal or administrator license. Confirm your license type appears clearly at the top of your resume, and check whether the posting requires endorsements for specific grade bands like pre-K or K-6.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists elementary school principal openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by district size and student demographics
Your experience leading a high-poverty urban school reads very differently to a small suburban district, and vice versa. Filter openings by enrollment size and Title I status so your background aligns with the community the role actually serves.
Prepare a leadership philosophy statement
Many elementary principal applications require a written leadership philosophy before the first interview. Draft a concise, school-specific version in advance that names your instructional framework and approach to family engagement, so you're not writing it the night before the deadline.
Negotiate beyond the base contract
Public school principal contracts often include negotiable elements outside the salary schedule, such as professional development funding, mentorship stipends, and transition timelines. Review the full contract before accepting and ask HR which terms are open for discussion.
Elementary School Principal Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most elementary school principals?
The companies hiring the most elementary school principals right now include Washoe County School District, Prince William County Public Schools, and Alabama State Department of Education, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Indiana, and Connecticut, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Charter management organizations and large urban public districts tend to post the highest volume of openings throughout the year.
How many elementary school principal jobs are remote?
About 0% of elementary school principal openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, which is low compared to most professional roles because on-site leadership is central to the job. The sub-areas most likely to allow remote or hybrid work include district-level curriculum director positions and virtual or hybrid school leadership roles.
How do you become an elementary school principal?
You typically start by earning a teaching license and spending several years in the classroom, then complete a master's degree in educational leadership or administration. Most states then require you to pass a principal licensure exam and complete a supervised internship or residency. After licensure, candidates typically move into assistant principal or instructional coach roles before applying for a principal position.
Can you get hired as an elementary school principal with little experience?
It's uncommon to be hired directly as a principal without prior school leadership experience, but some districts use a pipeline approach for high-potential teachers. Roles like assistant principal, instructional coach, or department chair are the most direct paths in. Smaller rural districts and growing charter networks are more likely to consider candidates who are completing their administrator licensure concurrently with their first appointment.
What does the elementary school principal interview process look like?
Most districts use a multi-round process starting with an HR screening call, followed by a panel interview with district administrators, teachers, and sometimes parents or community members. Finalists are often asked to complete a written case study or deliver a mock staff meeting. The full process from application to offer typically runs several weeks and may include a school walkthrough or informal visit.
Where can I find and apply to elementary school principal jobs?
You can find and apply to elementary school principal jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your licensure, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 36 Elementary School Principal Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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