Description
Lead and manage a K-12 school, overseeing instruction, operations, staff, budgets, student services, and school culture to ensure a safe, compliant, high-performing learning environment.
- • Review and approve school programs; recommend modifications and submit proposals to the district or board.
- • Oversee attendance, discipline, activity, personnel, and required state reports.
- • Meet with parents/guardians and staff about policies, activities, and student behavior or learning issues.
- • Develop, manage, and monitor the school budget; submit funding and grant requests.
- • Coordinate facility maintenance and scheduling of school spaces.
- • Counsel and guide students on academic, behavioral, and personal concerns.
- • Lead school committees of staff, specialists, and volunteers.
- • Teach or co-teach classes as needed.
- • Advocate for facility repairs, upgrades, and safety improvements.
- • Guide development of instructional methods, curricula, and student programs.
- • Build partnerships with businesses, community groups, and postsecondary organizations.
- • Direct and coordinate teachers, assistant principals, and support staff.
- • Evaluate curricula, instruction, and programs for effectiveness and regulatory compliance.
- • Set school goals and standards; establish policies and procedures to achieve them.
- • Recruit, hire, onboard, and evaluate staff and substitutes.
- • Enforce discipline, attendance, and conduct policies.
- • Observe classrooms and review materials to improve and align instruction.
- • Oversee schoolwide assessment, data systems, and progress monitoring.
- • Ensure compliance with laws and codes; lead safety, security, and emergency procedures.
- • Allocate funds for staffing, supplies, and equipment; authorize purchases.
- • Produce school handbooks, newsletters, and communications about programs and events.
- • Recommend personnel actions related to performance and program needs.
- • Collaborate with teachers on curriculum standards, mission, and performance objectives.
- • Analyze survey, performance, and enrollment data to inform planning.
- • Develop the master schedule, course offerings, and staffing plans.
- • Plan and deliver professional development for teachers and staff.
- • Attend and lead IEP and 504 meetings; support special education services.
- • Coordinate with district and local agencies on policy updates and program improvements.
- • Oversee transportation, nutrition, and other school logistics.
- • Direct extracurricular, after-school, and athletic activities and events.
- • Mentor assistant principals, deans, and teacher leaders.
- • Create and monitor the school improvement plan using student performance data.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
