• Overview
• Eligibility
• How to Apply
• Rubric
• More Information

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 state winner to represent their state. The state winner may be either a high school or a middle level 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 2024 NASSP 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].

NASSP is expanding its program by recognizing both Middle School and High School Awardees in 2025

• NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year
• NASSP National High School Principal of the Year

Important Dates

National Selection

Three finalists for the NASSP National Principal of the Year award will be selected for both middle school and high school levels from among eligible state 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 finalists one middle school National Principal of the Year and one High School Principal of the Year will be selected.

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

National Principal of the Year and the National Assistant Principal of the Year is the highest honor NASSP 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 NASSP and the principalship in general.  Any conduct that does not comport with these standards, or that otherwise harms the reputation of NASSP or the profession, in NASSP’s sole judgment, may result in the immediate disqualification from the application process and/or the revocation of the award.

Please note that NASSP Board of Directors and staff, and their immediate family members, are ineligible to receive NASSP scholarships, grants, and/or recognition awards.​

Looking Ahead

2026 NPOY Selection Timeline – Middle Level and High School

• September 1, 2025 – 2026 NASSP National Principal of the Year application available online

• Deadline date varies by state; Check with your state affiliate for their application date

• December 15, 2025 – All state affiliate winners’ online applications due to NASSP

• January 2026 – March 2026 – All state winners’ applications reviewed

• March 2026 – Three finalists for NASSP Middle Level National Principal of the Year and three finalists for NASSP High School National Principal of the Year announced

• April 2026 – National Middle Level Principal of the Year and National High School Level Principal of the Year announced