Principal Preparation: What Aspiring Leaders Need to Succeed

Our nation’s schools need well-prepared leaders. The impact of a strong school principal cannot be underestimated. Research shows that students excel and schools thrive when they are led by diverse, committed, effective, and resilient principals. 

In 2000 when New Leaders launched, we set out to redefine what it takes for a school principal to be effective. We examined more than 100 of the highest performing schools and then zeroed in on the common practices across the schools, regardless of size, location, or student demographic. That’s how we pinpointed how the best leaders contribute to student success—and that's the foundation of how we develop transformational K-12 leaders, including our National Aspiring Principals Fellowship. To date, we have trained more than 8,000 leaders who impact more than 2 million students annually.

Every day, we hear from aspiring leaders who are thinking about becoming a principal. They get how demanding—and transformational—the job can be. They have conviction. They have drive. But they want to know if they are ready and what they will need for the journey.

Our research—combined with two decades of experience providing best-in-class principal preparation—suggests many factors contribute to success. If you’re thinking about taking that next step, here are 10 key mindsets and professional learning insights to carry you forward and sustain you on your leadership path. 

1. Access to effective principal preparation

Training to become a principal is a big step in your leadership journey. But not all principal preparation programs are created equal. Here are the most important components to look for in principal certification programs. Read: Principal Preparation: What We Know Works Best

2. Cohort-based learning and professional networks

Becoming a school leader does not have to be lonely. Here’s how one New Leaders alum and principal—featured in District Administration—relies on her New Leaders cohort for support and guidance. And how you could too. Check out her story: Principal Preparation: The Power of Cohort-Based Learning

3. Openness to continuous growth 

The best leaders are those who prioritize continuous learning. Here’s a list of everyday strategies to keep you learning, especially when you’re short on time. For more on how to cultivate a growth mindset, consider: Growth Mindset: How Great K-12 Leaders Cultivate Continuous Improvement

4. High expectations 

One quality of a great principal is having the belief that your school, students, and teachers can perform at exceedingly high levels—and creating the conditions to make it happen. Here’s how to balance belief and action. Read more: How Great Principals Drive High Expectations

5. Individualized leadership coaching 

Job-embedded leadership coaching can deepen your impact as you develop the leadership skills to become a highly effective principal. Discover how it works and why leaders at every level find it beneficial to achieving ambitious goals. Dive into: Starting Strong: What K-12 Leadership Coaching Can Do For You

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6. Commitment to instructional excellence 

Strong instructional leaders can add up to three additional months of learning for students every year. This is an essential quality for strong principals. What does instructional leadership entail, you ask? Dive in: Strong Instructional Leadership: What Does It Look Like?

7. An eye for equitable outcomes

Aspiring leaders who are serious about educational equity are continuously learning and pushing themselves to grow into better, more effective change agents. Here are five equity-driven leadership actions to consider: Equity-Focused Leadership: What Does It Look Like in Action? 

8. Self-reflection as a mindset 

Self-reflection is the key to personal leadership and as a school leader it can help fuel a healthy school culture, advance more equitable outcomes, build effective teams, and more. Read more: What K-12 Leaders Need to Know About the Power of Self-Reflection

9. Inspiration to keep you going 

In honor of National Principals Month, we put together an amazing lineup of motivational quotes from principals and New Leaders alumni. Read on and feel the inspiration! For more inspirational quotes, visit our collection for Black History Month and Women’s History Month. 

10. Resilience

Resilience—the ability to move through and grow from difficult times—is a key characteristic of great educational leadership. Here are qualities that resilient leaders exemplify. And, real stories from other former aspiring leaders. Dive into: My Journey to School Leadership and Stories of Impact: From Aspiring Principals to Transformational Leaders

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