Walking in Their Shoes: A Day in the Life of a School Principal

Most school principals use two words to describe their days: “unpredictable” and “nonstop.” As leaders, they have to be nimble and adaptive in response to challenges—and they have to be strategic and focused to advance their top priorities and zero in on what matters most: student learning. This kind of resiliency is one of the many qualities of a good principal. 

School leaders from across the country tell us that even though no two days are ever alike, the work is rewarding—full of purpose and passion—and demanding. Ever wonder what it might be like to be a school principal? How you would spend your days? Here’s what a day in the life of a principal could look like.

7:15 AM

Arrive for the day. Check schedule, answer emails, address business or administrative needs. Take a few minutes to personally get centered.

7:30 AM

Lead an instructional leadership team (ILT) meeting before students arrive, engaging teacher leaders and school-based leaders in discussions around school improvement plans, data analysis, progress monitoring updates, and course corrections to better scale instructional practice and move toward the school’s shared vision of excellence and equity. For more on instructional leadership teams, read Distributed Leadership: Why the Right Time is Now. 

8:15 AM

Say hello and greet each student by name. Monitor the opening of the school, ensuring teachers and staff are ready for the day and students feel welcomed, affirmed, and eager to learn. Check in with select students and visit classrooms to address concerns or celebrate accomplishments. Perhaps today is the day the sixth graders go on a field trip or the kindergarteners are learning to make applesauce. Or the civics teacher marks a 10-year anniversary in the classroom. Nurturing meaningful relationships is central to forging a positive school climate. Learn more: Innovative Ways to Create a Positive School (and District) Culture.

8:45 AM

Conduct a meeting with key team leaders including, for example, the counselor and special education coordinator to review a new program to support students with individualized education plans (IEPs). Identify next steps for implementation. 

9:30 AM

Observe instruction in multiple classrooms, interacting with students, assessing the learning task, and observing teacher practice. Capture observational notes and relevant data to provide meaningful feedback. Leave a quick Post-It note for each teacher that identifies an area of strength. Take a moment to review notes and make an initial plan for the post-observation coaching conversations with each teacher that focus on strategies to continuously improve student achievement. For more insights on how instructional leaders accelerate student learning, read Strong Instructional Leadership: What Does It Look Like?

11:30 AM

Take a few moments to catch up on emails and connect with students, staff, and families. Many principals tell us they like to set up a second desk in the hallway to be present and accessible to their school community. Those impromptu conversations with students, staff, and families are often the most surprising and meaningful. Learn more from New Leaders alum Beulah McLoyd on how doing so contributed to a stronger, and safer, school climate. 

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12:00 PM

Check in on lunch (and/or recess) to ensure everything is running smoothly. Have a few “shoulder-to-shoulder” conversations with assistant principal(s) and support staff. Problem-solve any immediate issues from the morning. Remember to eat lunch! 

12:30 PM

Meet with students and their families who need additional support due to student behavior, a  discipline-related incident, or social-emotional need. These kinds of conversations happen throughout the day, as most principals will tell you, but dedicating time for student and family outreach is essential.

1:00 PM

Meet with one grade-level teacher team to discuss interim assessment data and identify root causes. Support the team in collaboratively planning and making data-driven decisions to adapt their instruction to better meet the needs of students. For more on making data-driven decisions, read 3 Ways to Create a Team that Drives Schoolwide Change.

1:45 PM

Meet with another grade-level teacher team to discuss interim assessment data and identify root causes. Support the team in collaboratively planning and making data-driven decisions to adapt their instruction to better meet the needs of students.

2:30 PM

Take time for administrative tasks and respond to management-related requests including, for example, the district asking for an updated report on the status of maintenance requests. Or the business manager needing to review the status of current accounts and begin planning the school budget for next school year. 

3:00 PM

Monitor school dismissal, taking time to engage individually with students and families. 

3:15 PM

Meet with the professional development sub-committee that is revisiting the PD calendar. Make sure they are on track in their preparation for the upcoming in-service day in two weeks. For more on supporting teachers’ professional growth, read: PD for Teachers: How Principals Can Play a Meaningful Role. 

4:00 PM

Sit down with a teacher who requested career guidance. Share your leadership journey and identify possible next steps and ways to support. For tips on starting those conversations, read Tapping the Next Generation of School Leaders.

4:30 PM

Attend a mandatory district meeting/professional learning community meeting for principals. Receive updates on new hiring and onboarding practices at the district level.

5:30 PM

Answer urgent email requests, return phone calls, sign documents. Remember to run to the grocery store on the way home. Reflect on the day and priorities for tomorrow. 

Above all, at the end of the day, as New Leaders alum and principal Clariza Dominicci reminds school leaders, “We need to make happiness an integral part of our school culture. We need to find and celebrate the joy in our work. It’s what makes us human. And even more resilient.”