At the conclusion of each program year, a National Principals Association National Elementary Principal of the Year, National Middle Level Principal of the Year and National Principals Association 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 select one or two state winners to represent their state. The state winner may be a high school and/or a middle level principal.
The state association executive director in each state must identify the state winners and “send” the finalized online applications to National Principals Association for consideration. All state winners must use the official online National Principals Association National 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 email us at [email protected].
Important Dates
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September 1, 2026 |
National Principals Association 2027 National Principals of the Year application is available online |
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Varies by state |
State affiliate application deadline |
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December 15, 2026 |
Completed online application due to National Principals Association from each affiliate's designated 2027 State Principals of the Year |
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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 |
National Principals Association announces finalists for National Principals of the Year |
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Late March-April 2027 |
National winners publicly announced (National Elementary Principal of the Year, National Middle Level Principal of the Year, and National High School Principal of the Year) |
National Selection
Three finalists for the National Principals Association National Principal of the Year award will be selected for elementary, middle school and high school levels from among eligible state principals of the year by judging panels composed of previous state Principals of the Year, national leaders in education, and National Principals Association leaders. From this distinguished group of finalists one elementary National Principal of the Year, one middle school National Principal of the Year and one High School Principal of the Year will be selected.
The selection of the National 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.