4 Principal Resume Examples & Writing Tips
Written By Cort DaltonContent Writer
Reviewed By Geoffrey ScottProfessional Resume Writer, Career Coach, & Senior Hiring Manager
Cort Dalton
Content Writer
Cort is a writer on the Resume Genius team. With a focus on helping job seekers showcase their strengths with clarity and confidence, he specializes in creating practical resources, from...
Our examples include ones for different experience levels and school types, with writing strategies underneath that help you stand out to school boards.
Principal resume examples by experience level
Looking for more template options? Check out our full selection of free resume templates.
Principal resume template (text format)
Format your resume using this template to make a polished, professional application.
[Your Address] [City, State]
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number]
[LinkedIn Profile] (optional)
Principal with 6+ years of experience in handling the overall administration and management of schools. Adept at managing academic programs, staffing, and developing culture. Seeking a position at [School Name] to inspire staff and students to engage in rigorous and purposeful learning.
- Educational leadership
- Operational management
- Technological fluency
- Interpersonal skills
- Analyze and utilize student achievement data to create new short-term and long-term strategies by ensuring the entire school meets students’ academic goals for each school year
- Spearhead the recruitment, selection, and retainment of a team of 10 teachers and 7 support staff in 2021
- Develop professional internal and external relations with the board and local community, demonstrating the school is well managed and in legal compliance with the charter contract
- Manage the professional development calendar and on-going improvement of teaching practices, overseeing a 15% increase in overall student averages
- Collaborated with the school leadership team to continually analyze 600 students’ data and evaluate teacher performance to ensure ambitious gains in student achievement
- Liaised regularly with parents to successfully implement an after-school study program 3 times a week and achieve maximum support for student performance
- Created professional development plans for teachers to address individual weaknesses, build on strengths, and become more effective team members
- Partnered with the student services coordinator to ensure that all students, including those with disabilities, had the access and support needed to achieve their educational and social goals
Resume Genius University
Master of Education
Graduation Date: May 20XX
Elementary school principal resume
If you’re applying for an elementary school principal position, you’ll need to craft a compelling narrative on your resume like the following candidate does:
Elementary school principal resume highlights
- Career progression: School boards want to see that you’re capable of developing over your career. Highlighting your changing job titles is a great way to do this: This candidate started as a teacher, was promoted to department head, became an assistant principal, and is now seeking a principal role.
- Budgeting skills: As an assistant principal, this candidate managed a sizable budget. Since this responsibility is vital for principals, this information shows the candidate has the experience needed to lead a school.
How to write a principal resume
You’re an experienced educator, but let us show you how to make that clear on your resume. Scroll down for four tips (with examples) on writing your principal resume.
1. Highlight your principal licenses and certifications
Although you may assume schools will know you’re a licensed principal based on the fact you have prior principal roles on your resume, it’s best to include your principal licenses and certifications on your resume so that your resume isn’t passed over.
Here’s how to list your principal licenses and certifications for the four biggest states:
California Administrative Services Credential
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential or Clear Administrative Services Credential
New York School Building Leader (SBL) Certificate
Initial Certificate or Professional Certificate
Florida Educational Leadership Certification
Level I Educational Leadership Certification or Level II Certification (Professional School Principal Certification)
Texas Principal Certification
Standard Principal Certificate (or Probationary Principal Certificate if you’re still in the process of obtaining the Standard Principal Certificate)
Check with your state’s education department to determine what licenses or certifications you require to be appointed as a principal.
2. Quantify your successes as a principal
Numbers draw the eye and let schools see what you’re capable of achieving if they appoint you as principal, so quantifying your resume is a key way of selling yourself.
Here are seven things you can quantify on a principal resume:
- Budget managed
- Staff/student numbers
- Improvement in graduation rate
- Increases in enrollment rates
- PTA meetings hosted
- Conferences attended
- Increases in parent/student satisfaction
Here are some examples of resume bullet points with added numbers to give you an idea of how it’s done:
Strong bullet points for a principal resume
- Increased student proficiency in standardized math scores by 15% within two years through targeted curriculum development and teacher professional development initiatives
- Implemented a comprehensive school safety plan that resulted in a 20% decrease in disciplinary incidents and a 10% increase in student attendance
- Secured $250,000 in grant funding to support innovative STEM programs and extracurricular activities for underserved students
- Led a school-wide cultural transformation initiative, increasing teacher retention by 10% and parent satisfaction ratings by 15% within one year
- Developed and implemented a data-driven intervention program that improved graduation rates for at-risk students by 8%
- Expanded dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, resulting in a 25% increase in college enrollment upon graduation
- Fostered a collaborative school culture through regular professional learning communities, resulting in a 95% teacher participation rate and improved student engagement
Use numerals instead of spelled-out numbers to make your quantified achievements stand out more.
3. Show that you meet the educational requirements of your state
Many states require you to study specific approved programs to serve as a principal.
For example, in North Carolina, you should generally hold a bachelor’s degree in the subject you teach as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership or school administration from an approved institution.
Here’s how you might present that information in your education section:
Master of School Administration
University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, NC
Completed a state-approved principal preparation program
20XX
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
20XX
4. Write a compelling resume summary
Writing a compelling resume summary ensures employers will want to continue reading your resume, so summarize your most salient qualifications, experience, and achievements.
Here are three resume summary examples to give you an idea of what to write:
Dynamic and collaborative vice principal with 4 years of experience supporting school leadership in achieving academic excellence and fostering a positive school culture. Proven success in curriculum development, teacher mentorship, and student support programs. Expertise in data analysis, instructional leadership, and building strong community partnerships.
Visionary and results-oriented high school principal with 5 years of experience leading diverse educational environments. Demonstrated success in improving student achievement, closing achievement gaps, and promoting college and career readiness. Skilled in strategic planning, resource management, and building high-performing teams.
Dedicated and student-centered assistant principal with 3 years’ experience in instructional leadership and school operations. Proven ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, and parents. Expertise in discipline management, curriculum implementation, and data-driven decision-making. Committed to fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Resume examples for different industries
Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.
Average principal salaries in the US
After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.
The following table includes information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report for 2025. Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for school principals, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.
Top 10 states by average principal salary
| State | Salary / Year |
|---|---|
| Washington | $154,210 |
| California | $147,610 |
| Connecticut | $144,930 |
| New Jersey | $144,260 |
| New York | $142,390 |
| District of Columbia | $139,480 |
| Delaware | $127,120 |
| Massachusetts | $126,630 |
| Maryland | $126,520 |
| Oregon | $124,740 |
| National Average | $113,360 |
Click to rate this article
4.9 Average rating
Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
Pinterest
Reddit
Copy link