At the conclusion of each program year, a National Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, National Middle Level Principal of the Year and National High School Principal of the Year will be announced.
Procedures
Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools may select one elementary assistant principal, one middle school level assistant principal and one high school level assistant principal to represent their state.
The state association executive director in each state must identify the state winner(s) and “send” the finalized online application to National Principals Association for consideration. All state winners must use the official online National Principals Association National Assistant Principal of the Year application form; no other forms will be accepted.
Each state affiliate determines its own application deadline, selection process and announcement date. Each applicant must contact his or her state affiliate to inquire about application procedures and requirements.
If you have questions regarding the application form or process, email [email protected].
Important Dates
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September 1, 2026 |
2025 National Principals Association National Assistant Principal of the Year application available | 8 am ET |
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Varies by state |
State affiliate application deadline |
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December 15, 2026 |
All state affiliate winners' applications are due to National Principals Association | 8 pm ET |
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February 2027 |
All state winners celebrated: February 6–9, 2027, at National Principals Conference (NPC) in Tampa, FL
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March 2027 |
Finalists for National Assistant Principal of the Year announced |
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April 2027 |
Winners for National Assistant Principals of the Year announced |
National Selection
Judging for the National Assistant Principal of the Year is conducted virtually by reviewing applications online. Three finalists for elementary, middle level and high school level National Principals Association National Assistant Principal of the Year award will be selected from among eligible state assistant principals of the year by a judging panel composed of previous national honorees, national leaders in education, state affiliate executive directors and staff members of National Principals Association. From this distinguished group of finalists, one National Assistant Principal of the Year will be selected for elementary, one National Assistant Principal of the Year will be selected for middle level and one National Assistant Principal of the Year will be selected for high school.
The selection of the National Assistant Principals of the Year is final.
National Principal of the Year and the National Assistant Principal of the Year is the highest honor National Principals Association awards to our school leaders. As such, finalists and winners of these prestigious awards are expected to always conduct themselves in manner that reflect positively upon National Principals Association and the principalship in general. Any conduct that does not comport with these standards, or that otherwise harms the reputation of National Principals Association or the profession, in National Principals Association’s sole judgment, may result in the immediate disqualification from the application process and/or the revocation of the award.
Please note that National Principals Association Board of Directors and staff, and their immediate family members, are ineligible to receive National Principals Association scholarships, grants, and/or recognition awards.