• Overview
• Eligibility
• Register
• Rubric
• Application

Overview

Welcome to the Assistant Principal of the Year Award website. The Assistant Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle-level and high-school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. Each year, the State Assistant Principal of the Year winners are submitted for consideration to be the National Assistant Principal of the Year.

If you are not yet registered, click “Register” on the left-side navigation to get started with your application. The eligibility and rubric are available to assist you in meeting the criteria that the reviewers will use to score your application. Once registered, you may enter the application page to begin the application process.

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 assistant principal to represent their state. Each state may select one state winner to represent their state. The state winner may be either a high school or a middle-level assistant principal.  

The state association executive director in each state must identify the state winner and “send” the finalized online application to NASSP for consideration. All state winners must use the official online 2025 NASSP 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, please call 850-224-3626 or email Amy Coleman.

Important Dates

National Selection

Judging for the National Assistant Principal of the Year is conducted virtually by reviewing applications online. Three finalists for the NASSP 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 national leaders in education, state affiliate executive directors, and staff members of NASSP and other national educational associations. From this distinguished group of three finalists, one National Assistant Principal of the Year will be selected.

The selection of the National Assistant Principal of the Year is final.