Principal Resume Examples & Format
A school principal oversees all school operations, including daily school activities. A principal resume should prove skills such as teacher observation and evaluation, master schedule and timetabling, and curriculum and standards alignment with numbers from your own work. Below are three samples, early-career to senior, with summaries, bullets and skills.
By Rajesh Kumar · How these pages are made
Free to build and preview · pay once to download · no auto-renewal
Principal resume examples by experience level
All three samples are illustrative: the people, employers and every figure are made up.
Early-career sample
Karen Beaumont
Assistant Principal · 12 years in schools · middle school · curriculum and discipline lead
Kansas City, MO · (816) 555-0143 · karen.beaumont@example.com
Summary
- Assistant principal with twelve years in schools, ready for a first principalship. Led a middle school of 800 students to a 9-point rise in reading proficiency while cutting discipline referrals by 28%.
Work experience
- Assistant Principal, Heartland Middle School (800 students), Kansas City, MO · 2021 – present · Oversee 42 teachers' observations and evaluations; manage the master schedule; reading proficiency up 9 points in 3 years; discipline referrals down 28%.
- Mathematics Teacher and Department Chair, Kansas City, MO · 2014 – 2021 · Taught grades 7 and 8; led 6 teachers in the math department; coached 5 new teachers.
Education
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership, University of Missouri · 2020
- B.S. in Mathematics Education, Truman State University · 2014
License
- Missouri initial administrator certificate, building level · 2020
Mid-level sample
David Alvarez
Principal · 4 years · elementary school of 520 students · 38 staff · attendance and family engagement
Sacramento, CA · (916) 555-0166 · david.alvarez@example.com
Summary
- Elementary school principal with four years leading a school of 520 students and 38 staff. Raised daily attendance from 91% to 95% and grew family event attendance from 60 to 220 families.
Work experience
- Principal, Oak Grove Elementary School (520 students), Sacramento, CA · 2022 – present · Lead 38 staff; observe and evaluate 24 teachers each year; attendance up from 91% to 95%; family event attendance up from 60 to 220 families.
- Assistant Principal, a district elementary school, Sacramento, CA · 2019 – 2022 · Ran the schedule and student support team for 450 students.
Education
- Master of Arts in Educational Administration, California State University · 2018
Skills
- Teacher observation and coaching, scheduling, curriculum alignment, student support, parent communication, budget oversight
Senior sample
Angela Washington
High School Principal · 12 years leading schools · 1,600 students · 95 staff
Charlotte, NC · (704) 555-0128 · angela.washington@example.com
Summary
- High school principal with twelve years of school leadership, now leading 1,600 students and 95 staff. Raised the four-year graduation rate from 84% to 93% and led a staff of 95 through a schedule redesign with no loss of instructional days.
Work experience
- Principal, Queen City High School (1,600 students), Charlotte, NC · 2018 – present · Lead 95 staff; graduation rate up from 84% to 93%; led a master schedule redesign for 1,600 students; evaluate 8 assistant principals and department heads.
- Assistant Principal, a district high school, Charlotte, NC · 2014 – 2018 · Ran attendance, discipline and examination schedules for 1,200 students.
Education
- Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Appalachian State University · 2017
- Master of School Administration, University of North Carolina · 2013
Related resume examples
- Teacher resume
- Professor resume
- Assistant Professor resume
- Primary Teacher resume
- Kindergarten Teacher resume
- Math Teacher resume
- English Teacher resume
- Assistant Principal resume
What does a principal do?
That means managing school activities and staff, setting and overseeing class schedules, developing and maintaining curriculum standards, counseling and disciplining students, and observing teachers and evaluating their performance. In the US principals work in public and private schools, usually full time and often more than 40 hours a week, and they may work evenings or weekends for parent meetings and school events. A principal resume should show each school's size and level and the results you led.
Principal duties to put on a resume
- Manage school activities and staff, including teachers and support personnel.
- Establish and oversee class schedules.
- Develop, implement and maintain curriculum standards.
- Counsel and discipline students.
- Observe teachers and evaluate their performance.
- Meet with parents and community members, including evenings or weekends for school functions.
Best resume format for a principal
- Lead with a leadership summary, then each school's level, enrollment and staff size.
- Show results with numbers: attendance, proficiency, graduation, staff retention and budget.
- Two pages, with your leadership results on the first. BLS says principals work full time and often more than 40 hours a week. Lead each role with results: attendance, test scores, staff retention.
The section order and what goes in each are on the how to write a resume guide; the resume format guide covers every format by type and country.
Summary examples by level
- Early-career: Assistant principal with twelve years in schools, leading a middle school of 800 to a 9-point rise in reading proficiency and 28% fewer discipline referrals.
- Mid-level: Elementary school principal with four years leading 520 students and 38 staff, raising attendance from 91% to 95%.
- Senior: High school principal with twelve years of leadership, leading 1,600 students and 95 staff and raising the graduation rate from 84% to 93%.
Work experience bullet points
- Led a school of 520 students and 38 staff, raising daily attendance from 91% to 95%.
- Observed and evaluated 24 teachers a year and coached 6 to a higher rating.
- Raised reading proficiency by 9 points in 3 years with a schoolwide intervention block.
- Cut discipline referrals by 28% in one year through a restorative practice program.
- Redesigned the master schedule for 1,600 students with no loss of instructional days.
- Raised the four-year graduation rate from 84% to 93% over 6 years.
- Grew family event attendance from 60 to 220 families in 2 years.
- Managed a school budget of $2.4 million and finished each year within 1% of plan.
Key skills to list
Hard skills: Teacher observation and evaluation, Master schedule and timetabling, Curriculum and standards alignment, Student data and assessment analysis, Budget oversight, Hiring and staff development, Student discipline and support systems, School improvement planning, Parent and community communication, Compliance and reporting.
Soft skills: Leadership, Decision-making, Communication with families, Coaching teachers, Calm under pressure.
Education and certifications
- Most schools require principals to have a master's degree in education administration or leadership, and principals need several years of teaching experience (BLS).
- Most states require public school principals to be licensed as school administrators; requirements vary by state, but most require a master's degree, and applicants typically pass an exam and a background check (BLS). Private school principals are not required to hold a state license; list yours only if you hold it, with the state.
- List each degree with the school and year, and any leadership program you completed.
Sources
Checked on 5 October 2026.
What should a school principal resume include?
Include a leadership summary, each school's level, enrollment and staff size, results with numbers (attendance, proficiency, graduation, referrals), your degrees and your administrator license if you hold one. Put leadership results on the first page.
How do I write a principal resume for my first principalship?
Lead with your assistant principal or department lead work: staff you coached, programs you ran and results with numbers. BLS says principals need several years of teaching experience, so show your classroom years briefly. Add your leadership degree and any license you hold.
What qualifications does a principal need?
BLS says most schools require a master's degree in education administration or leadership, plus several years of teaching experience. Most states require public school principals to be licensed administrators, with requirements that vary by state. Check your state and list only what you hold.
How do I write a resume for principal jobs in another school type?
State each school's level, enrollment and funding type, then match your results to the job: attendance and family engagement for elementary, graduation and schedule for high school. A resume for principal posts should mirror the vocabulary of the job posting.
Should a principal resume list teaching subjects?
Briefly, in your early career lines. Leadership results matter more, so give the subjects and grades you taught in one line and spend the space on schedules, staff coaching, attendance and student results.
What is different in a vice principal resume?
A vice principal resume shows ownership of parts of the school: discipline, scheduling, evaluations or curriculum. Give the number of staff and students under you and the result of each area, and show readiness for the whole-school role.
What should a principal resume show?
A principal's resume shows enrollment and staff size, budget managed, and measurable school results such as attendance, graduation or assessment gains. It lists licensure, leadership programs and prior teaching and administrative roles. Put the largest result and the community or program you built first.