A school principal oversees everything that happens inside a school building. They lead teachers, manage the building and make sure every student has what they need. Strong principals shape a school’s culture and drive results for every student in the building. From the first bell to the last, the decisions made in the principal’s office ripple through every classroom.
The online Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Administration program from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) equips Texas teachers with the skills and credentials they need to advance to school leadership roles. The program’s robust coursework also covers exam preparation for the new Principal 268 and Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL) Certification Assessment.
A school principal’s level of responsibility explains why states like Texas have tightened certification standards, requiring rigorous, standardized proof that candidates can lead a campus before ever stepping into the role. Before pursuing that path, it helps to understand the full scope of what school principals do and how the position differs from other school leadership roles.
What Is a School Principal?
A school principal is the top administrator of an elementary, middle or high school. They are responsible for all school decisions, from staffing and instruction to safety and culture. They report to district leadership while managing the building’s daily operations.
Principals also serve as the face of the school to parents, teachers and the broader community. That visibility means the role carries weight well beyond what any organizational chart can show.
The gap between a strong principal and a weak one is measurable and significant. A 2021 report published by the Wallace Foundation found that the impact of an effective principal on student achievement is nearly as large as that of a similarly effective teacher.
What Are a School Principal’s Responsibilities?
A school principal’s responsibilities fall into three broad areas: instruction, people and operations. Whether a campus serves 300 or 3,000 students, principals divide their time among these same core functions.
The Wallace Foundation maps this framework in its ongoing research series on school leadership.
The school principal job description varies by district and school level, but these three areas capture most of what the job requires — competencies cultivated in TAMIU’s online M.S. in Educational Administration program.
Instructional Leadership
Principals set the direction for teaching and learning across the building. They observe classrooms, give teachers direct feedback and review student data to guide school-wide decisions.
They also work with department heads and curriculum teams to align instruction with state standards. Instructional principals help teachers reflect on their own practice and build skills over time. Strong instructional leaders know what good teaching looks like, and they help staff reach that standard.
People and Culture
School principal responsibilities include hiring staff, evaluating performance and building a positive school culture. Principals manage conflict, run staff meetings and support staff growth throughout the year.
According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), effective school leadership is linked to a lower likelihood of teachers leaving the profession, transferring schools or retiring early. Retaining great teachers is one of the highest-impact actions a principal can take for a school, since teacher turnover disrupts both instruction and culture.
Operations and Administration
Principals manage budgets, safety plans, schedules and facilities. They also ensure the school meets local, state and federal rules governing everything from attendance tracking to special education services.
The job description for school principals in most districts also includes data reporting, accreditation work and family contact. These administrative tasks demand the same focus and skill as the instructional and people work, even though they rarely make headlines.
What Does a High School Principal Do?
A high school principal manages a larger and more complex school than an elementary school principal does. They oversee more staff, a wider range of courses and a broader set of after-school programs.
High school leaders often manage college readiness, dual enrollment and athletics in addition to core duties. The National Principals Association (NPA) tracks these expanded responsibilities across the country.
Elementary principals, by contrast, focus more on early literacy, behavior support and family involvement. Middle school principals fall between these two extremes, balancing academic structure with the social needs of teens.
How Much Does a School Principal Make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ (BLS) most recent data, school principals in the U.S. earned a median annual salary of $104,070 in 2024. Pay varies by state, school level, district size and years of experience.
High school principals typically earn more than elementary school principals, and the larger scope of the role drives this difference. BLS projects 20,800 job openings for elementary, middle and high school principals each year between 2024 and 2034, mainly driven by retirements and career changes.
What Makes a Good School Principal?
Strong school principals master three areas: instructional leadership, solid people skills and sound organizational work. What separates the best from the rest? They earn teacher trust, communicate clearly and use data to make decisions.
They also know how to balance competing demands. The best administrators step in quickly when issues arise, give teachers space to grow and build routines that keep the school running well even when challenges arise.
In Texas, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) defines the standards every principal must meet before earning a certificate, including a master’s degree, a valid teaching certificate, two years of classroom experience, an approved preparation program and a passing exam score. TAMIU’s online M.S. in Educational Administration is designed to build all three skill sets.
Prepare for principal certification with TAMIU’s online M.S. in Educational Administration program.
About TAMIU’s Online M.S. in Educational Administration Program
TAMIU’s online M.S. in Educational Administration program prepares working educators for school leadership roles in Texas, and for the certification exams Principal 268 and Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL). Delivered in accelerated 7-week courses with six start dates a year, the program can be completed in as few as 10 months and includes a hands-on practicum across elementary, middle and high school settings.
TAMIU is a member of the Texas A&M University System and is located in Laredo, Texas. The university’s College of Education offers a range of online graduate programs designed for working teachers pursuing school leadership roles.
