About | Dates and Deadlines | National Principal of the Year Award

In 2025 NASSP will expand its program by recognizing both Middle Level and High School Awardees.

NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year

NASSP National High School Principal of the Year

The NASSP National Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. These principals are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession.

Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools may select one middle level principal and one high school principal to represent their state. For a principal of a school that covers both levels, they must submit for either the middle level or high school award.

Then, the applications of these state winners are reviewed by past state principals of the year, industry leaders and experts, and NASSP staff. After these reviews, three finalists are named as contenders for both middle level and high school level National Principal of the Year awards. The NASSP Middle Level National Principal of the Year and High School National Principal of the Year are selected from among the finalists.

For more information on the NASSP National Principal of the Year program, contact [email protected].

Dates and deadlines for the National Principal of the Year program

  • 2025 NPOY Selection
    • Early October 2024 – 2025 National Principal of the Year finalists are announced
    • Mid-October 2024 (date TBD) – 2025 National Principal of the Year announced at State Principal of the Year Celebration in Washington, D.C.

  • 2025-26 NPOY Selection – Middle Level and High School
    • September 1, 2024 – 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year application available online
      • Deadline date varies by state; Check with your state affiliate for their application date
    • March 2025 – All state affiliate winners’ online applications due to NASSP
    • March – May 2025 – All state winners’ applications reviewed
    • May 2025 – Three finalists for NASSP Middle Level National Principal of the Year and three finalists for NASSP High School National Principal of the Year announced
    • July 2025 – National Middle Level Principal of the Year and National High School Level Principal of the Year announced

  • 2026 NPOY Selection – Middle Level and High School
    • September 1, 2025 – 2025 NASSP National Principal of the Year application available online
      • Deadline date varies by state; Check with your state affiliate for their application date
    • December 15, 2025 – All state affiliate winners’ online applications due to NASSP
    • January 2026 – March 2026 – All state winners’ applications reviewed
    • March 2026 – Three finalists for NASSP Middle Level National Principal of the Year and three finalists for NASSP High School National Principal of the Year announced
    • April 2026 – National Middle Level Principal of the Year and National High School Level Principal of the Year announced
Learn about National Principals Month
Find State Pages and Applications for the National Principal of the Year Award