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Vice principal vs middle school principal

The differences between vice principals and middle 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 vice principal and a middle school principal. Additionally, a middle school principal has an average salary of $92,607, which is higher than the $88,764 average annual salary of a vice principal.

The top three skills for a vice principal include curriculum development, vice-principal and classroom management. The most important skills for a middle school principal are professional growth, instructional program, and student achievement.

Vice principal vs middle school principal overview

Vice PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Yearly salary$88,764$92,607
Hourly rate$42.67$44.52
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs67,97459,247
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a vice principal do?

A vice-principal works as an assistant educational administrator whose primary responsibility is to assist the school's principal with daily school administrative tasks, such as certifying and hiring teachers and school staff. In addition to these tasks, a vice-principal conducts parent interviews and serves as mentors and counselors to students. The qualifications to become a vice principal include possessing strong leadership, decision-making, and organizational skills and obtaining a master's or doctoral degree in education.

What does a middle school principal do?

A middle school principal is an individual who is responsible for managing the operations of a school that caters to children from the fifth to the eighth grades. This principal must supervise the responsibilities of all employees of the school, such as teachers, maintenance workers, and administrative staff members. The principal is required to conduct regular staff and parents' meetings to create a cooperative relationship that supports student learning. This principle must also lead and direct the development of educational programs that can optimize learning among middle school students.

Vice principal vs middle school principal salary

Vice principals and middle school principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vice PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Average salary$88,764$92,607
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $121,000Between $62,000 And $137,000
Highest paying CityPaterson, NJOakland, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyPrinceton Public SchoolsPaulding County High School
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between vice principal and middle school principal education

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

Vice PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorEducational LeadershipEducational Leadership
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Vice principal vs middle school principal demographics

Here are the differences between vice principals' and middle school principals' demographics:

Vice PrincipalMiddle School Principal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 50.3% Female, 49.7%Male, 56.4% Female, 43.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between vice principal and middle school principal duties and responsibilities

Vice principal example responsibilities.

  • Lead the NCA steering committee to assist with the school improvement process.
  • Educate students in economics, mathematics and social studies.
  • Design and facilitate dynamic and effective staff development programs for language arts, mathematics, discipline, and character education.
  • Serve as facilitator for IEP meetings and provide training and direction for ESE students.
  • Conduct IEP when necessary both with and without parents when age of student are appropriate.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with colleges, community organizations, and other schools to coordinate educational services.
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Middle school principal example 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.
  • Collaborate with special education teachers and direct all IEP conferences.
  • Support CTSO participation and advocate for the increase of more organizations on campus by building partnerships within the community.

Vice principal vs middle school principal skills

Common vice principal skills
  • Curriculum Development, 12%
  • Vice-Principal, 11%
  • Classroom Management, 10%
  • Professional Development, 10%
  • Mathematics, 4%
  • Staff Development, 3%
Common middle school principal skills
  • Professional Growth, 6%
  • Instructional Program, 6%
  • Student Achievement, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 5%
  • Staff Development, 5%
  • School Administration, 5%

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