How to hire a k-12 school principal

How to hire a k-12 school principal, step by step

Here's a step-by-step k-12 school principal hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a k-12 school principal job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new k-12 school principal
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your k-12 school principal job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a k-12 school principal for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a k-12 school principal to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a k-12 school principal that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of k-12 school principals and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of K-12 School Principal	Description	Hourly rate
   K-12 School Principal	Elementary, middle, and high school principals manage all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curricula, oversee teachers and other school staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.	$16-62
   Superintendent	Superintendents oversee the administration of schools in a specific school district. They manage the educational programs of each school and create strategic decisions to ensure that the students are learning important subjects... Show more	$27-57
   Educational Administrator	An educational administrator oversees the daily operations of a learning institution, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. They have the responsibility to supervise the hiring and training of teaching and non-teaching staff, develop educational programs and projects, conduct research and analysis to enhance existing facilities, set budgets and goals, establish guidelines and timelines, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently... Show more	$19-51

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Curriculum Development
   • Professional Development
   • Mathematics
   • Instructional Leadership
   • Staff Development

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
   • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
   • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your k-12 school principal job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A k-12 school principal can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, k-12 school principals' average salary in alabama is 65% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level k-12 school principals 74% less than senior-level k-12 school principals.
   • Certifications. A k-12 school principal with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a k-12 school principal's salary.

   Average k-12 school principal salary

   $67,099yearly

   $32.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level k-12 school principal salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

4. Writing a k-12 school principal job description

   A good k-12 school principal job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a k-12 school principal job description:

   K-12 school principal job description example

   Delivery Drivers
   
   Team Sharma Job Requirements
   
   E-Biker
   
   1. 18 Years of age.
   
   2. Valid U.S Social Security Number that allows you to work in the United States of
   
   America.
   
   3. No Criminal Record.
   
   4. Own electrical bike required.
   
   5. Bike must pass Domino's safety inspection to prove it is a safe mode of transportation.
   
   6. Own helmet required.
   
   7. Basic Math skills.
   
   8. Able to work in a fast paced environment.
   
   9. Good customer service skills.
   
   10. Able to help out and make food while in the store.
   
   11. Must understand all phone calls must be answered after the first ring.
   
   12. Able to help keep the store clean and clean up at the end of the night.
   
   13. All driver/biker must use the Delivery Experience app made by Domino's Pizza LLC,
   
   during their shift. Free WIFI is provided in the store, however we understand the use of
   
   cellular data will need to be used while you are on the road making deliveries. We will
   
   reimburse you $0.1534 per hour you spend on the road, to make up for the data you will
   
   be using during your shift.
   
   Team member ___________________, ____________________ Date ____________________
   
   Name Printed Signature
   
   Head of HR ___________________, ____________________ Date _____________________
   
   Our delivery experts are paid cash daily from earned tips and mileage reimbursement. That is money in your pocket every night! In addition, they earn an hourly wage.
   
   Great Hours!
   
   Looking for a second job? A part-time job? A chance to learn about the pizza business? A job with flexible hours? We deliver all of that! Whether you want to work only a few hours, just the weekend, or only evenings - we can usually make it work for you.
   
   Opportunities!
   
   Our driver position is an excellent start to learn about the delivery business, customer service and the creation of great products. Domino's Pizza is committed to promoting from within - most of our Managers started as drivers. It is a stepping stone to advancement into our Management Development Program.
   
   To drive for Domino's Pizza, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license and a good driving record. In addition, our qualified applicants must have an outstanding attitude toward customer service, have basic math skills, enjoy working in a fast-paced team surrounding and an insured vehicle that passes regular safety inspections.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Additional Information

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find k-12 school principals for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any k-12 school principals they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level k-12 school principals with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your k-12 school principal job on Zippia to find and attract quality k-12 school principal candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as k12jobspot, learn4good, serious teachers, teachingjobs.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with k-12 school principal candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new k-12 school principal

   Once you've decided on a perfect k-12 school principal candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new k-12 school principal. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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