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School principal vs high school principal

The differences between school principals and high school principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a school principal and a high school principal. Additionally, a school principal has an average salary of $97,138, which is higher than the $96,329 average annual salary of a high school principal.

The top three skills for a school principal include professional development, curriculum development and student achievement. The most important skills for a high school principal are student achievement, curriculum development, and staff development.

School principal vs high school principal overview

School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Yearly salary$97,138$96,329
Hourly rate$46.70$46.31
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs60,09361,948
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a school principal do?

A School Principal supervises and directs education and teaching programs within a school. They develop and implement policies, programs, curriculum activities, budgets, and more.

What does a high school principal do?

A High School Principal oversees and supervises the daily operations of a high school. They are typically in charge of setting goals and objectives, establishing budgets and guidelines, creating schedules, spearheading academic programs, developing strategies to accomplish objectives, and conducting regular workforce assessments, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is also their responsibility to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a High School Principal implements policies and regulations to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for everyone.

School principal vs high school principal salary

School principals and high school principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Average salary$97,138$96,329
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $131,000Between $70,000 And $131,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJEast Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyLexington School and Center for the DeafJo-Ann Stores
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between school principal and high school principal education

There are a few differences between a school principal and a high school principal in terms of educational background:

School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

School principal vs high school principal demographics

Here are the differences between school principals' and high school principals' demographics:

School PrincipalHigh School Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 44.6% Female, 55.4%Male, 64.1% Female, 35.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between school principal and high school principal duties and responsibilities

School principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead school in partnership with local high school to promote higher math, science and technology achievement.
  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Train volunteers to reach kids for Christ.
  • Experience with the Scott Foresman mathematics series for second grade.
  • Interview and hire summer school teaching staff in grades Pre-K through 5thgrade.
  • Design and implement the district's transition to``all-day kindergarten".
  • Show more

High school principal example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate teacher lead PBIS committee to implement effective school wide discipline campaigns and activities for students.
  • Create a PBIS system for teachers on how to manage behavior on a daily basis and reward positive outcomes.
  • Lead counselor meetings, IEP's, conduct parent/teacher meetings.
  • Assist in coordinating, developing, monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the IEP.
  • Co-Design kindergarten readiness program that will bring in-home and wrap around services to academically at-risk kindergarten students.
  • Result in international interest in available ESL programs.

School principal vs high school principal skills

Common school principal skills
  • Professional Development, 12%
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Student Achievement, 6%
  • Professional Growth, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • School Administration, 4%
Common high school principal skills
  • Student Achievement, 8%
  • Curriculum Development, 7%
  • Staff Development, 6%
  • Instructional Program, 6%
  • Professional Growth, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%

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