What Is National Principals Month?
Celebrated every October, National Principals Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor our incredible school principals for their visionary leadership and tireless pursuit of success for each student.
According to NASSP’s 2022 Survey of America’s School Leaders and High School Students, 1 out of 2 school leaders say their stress level is so high they are considering a career change or retirement. While celebrating principals is important, leveraging National Principals Month to advocate for solutions to support them—such as addressing the principal pipeline crisis—is essential.
National Principals Month is a collaboration between American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Recognition Programs
The celebrations don’t stop there! The following recognition programs for principals are also celebrated during National Principals Month.
NASSP’s National Principal of the Year
The NASSP National Principal of the Year is announced in October and recognizes an outstanding middle level or high school leader.
NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals Program
The NAESP National Distinguished Principals Program celebrates outstanding elementary and middle level administrator winners from each state during an event in October.
About the Organizations
The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA)
AFSA promotes the professional, occupational, and economic interests of public school principals, administrators, and supervisors nationwide. As the only national education union for school administrators, it provides labor relations and professional services along with other support for its members.
The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
NAESP advocates for the support that elementary and middle school principals need to be successful leaders—to achieve the highest results for children, families, and communities.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
NASSP is the leading organization of and voice for secondary school leaders. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.