The guide below will help you create a resume showing your skills in high-level school administration.
Key takeaways:
- Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or blank sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section – this helps you focus your resume on the role of assistant principal.
- Spell out the results of your past work as an assistant principal. Describe how your efforts helped each school achieve its goals.
- Use bullet points to display your achievements. Start each bullet point with a strong verb like “Created,” “Improved,” or “Encouraged.”
Most Popular Assistant Principal Resumes
First Time Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
First-time assistant principal candidates often list classroom accomplishments without showing those accomplishments were leadership accomplishments. When I’m reviewing these applications, I want to see formal team leadership, mentorship, and initiative design, not just great instruction.
What stands out here:
- SEL programming launched with counselors improved student engagement 20% and a PBIS committee contribution cut referrals 15%, two outcomes showing this candidate led at the schoolwide level before applying.
- Two new teachers mentored through structured coaching cycles while coordinating instruction across 5 classrooms, the combination of peer leadership and team management that first-time AP roles require.
Assistant Principal Resume No Experience
Why this resume example is strong:
Candidates with no formal admin experience who list only classroom teaching are common. When I evaluate these applications, I want structural leadership, department oversight, equity initiative design, or program coordination, rather than individual classroom success alone.
What this candidate gets right:
- Department lead for 7 teachers while designing a restorative discipline framework adopted schoolwide that cut office referrals 25%, non-administrative work showing administrative-level thinking and ownership.
- Equity initiative reduced achievement gaps for EL 18% and summer literacy program served 40+ students across 3 sites annually, a scope of impact that most classroom-only teachers never reach.
Entry Level Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Entry-level AP candidates with only classroom experience are common. When I’m hiring, I look for whether the candidate has actually sat in an admin chair handling referrals, testing logistics, and data meetings, not just observed them from a classroom.
The specifics that matter:
- Two-year AP internship in a 900-student middle school managing daily referrals and leading data meetings that drove 15% math proficiency growth, real administrative experience rather than a teaching background relabeled.
- Cross-grade tutoring initiative improved reading for 60+ students and a school leadership team chaired for 40+ staff, the combination of student outcome ownership and peer leadership that entry-level roles demand.
New Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Newly promoted assistant principals who list supervision duties without quantifying their instructional impact or safety management record are common. When I’m evaluating this profile, I want to see whether the first year in the role produced measurable outcomes rather than just familiarity with the job.
Why this one gets the interview:
- Ninth grade promotion rates improved 11% and 30 teachers supervised with 60+ formal observations per semester, early administrative outcomes most new APs take years to produce.
- Curriculum pacing guides adopted by 6 district high schools and Teacher of the Year earned at Mesa, a teaching track record explaining why the promotion happened.
Assistant Principal Title I Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Assistant principals who describe responsibilities without quantifying them are common. When I evaluate a job description section, I want to see whether the master schedule, evaluations, and attendance work actually moved the numbers, not just whether duties were performed.
What matters here:
- Master schedule built for 1,200 students across 80+ sections while reducing chronic absenteeism 22% over 3 years, two different AP responsibilities both executed with measurable impact rather than just maintained.
- Disproportionate discipline referral rates for Black and Hispanic students reduced 30% and family event attendance increased 35%, outcomes that go beyond operational management into equity and community leadership.
Assistant Principal Underserved Populations Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
AP candidates with an objective-style summary who lean on teaching years without connecting them to administrative readiness are common. When I’m evaluating this profile, I want the objective to state a specific value proposition, not just express aspiration.
What I’m actually looking for:
- Literacy coaching across 15 classrooms improved K–3 reading proficiency 16% and restorative practices reduced discipline referrals 35%, instructional coordination outcomes that map directly to AP responsibilities.
- IEP compliance monitored for 40+ students and district reading benchmarks exceeded 15% as a classroom teacher, the combination of compliance competency and instructional outcomes diverse schools need from an AP.
Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Skills-forward AP resumes often list MTSS and Title I without showing what those programs actually produced. When I’m hiring for a school with complex compliance and behavioral support needs, I want to see whether the skills were applied at scale and whether outcomes followed.
Where this candidate pulls ahead:
- Math proficiency raised 17% through MTSS-aligned school improvement planning and $180,000 in Title I funding managed with full compliance, skills applied to measurable academic and operational outcomes.
- IEP oversight for 100+ students and lesson effectiveness increased 28% as instructional coach, a compliance and instructional impact pairing that most AP candidates have one side of but rarely both.
Middle School Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Middle school AP candidates who mention restorative practices and teacher evaluation without quantifying either are common. When I’m hiring for a middle school setting, I want to see the suspension reduction data and whether the evaluation process actually changed teaching practice.
What separates this application:
- Suspensions reduced 42% through a restorative behavior system and 15 teachers coached through TIGER evaluation cycles with 80+ annual observations, both outcomes with numbers not just process descriptions.
- 6th-to-7th transition programs reduced transition-year behavior incidents 25% and a schoolwide SEL curriculum improved student belonging scores 20%, middle-school-specific leadership that translates directly to this role.
High School Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
High school AP candidates who cite graduation rate improvements without explaining the mechanisms behind them are common. When I’m evaluating secondary leadership, I want to see the credit recovery system details, the staffing process, and whether postsecondary readiness work produced college application outcomes.
What the evidence shows:
- Graduation rates up 12% over 3 years through credit recovery and early warning systems and new staff first-year retention reached 95% through structured mentor pairings, the mechanisms behind both outcomes.
- AP enrollment and testing coordinated for 400+ students and 4-year college application rates increased 15% through Naviance advising, postsecondary readiness work connected to actual student application behavior.
Elementary Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Elementary AP candidates who list early literacy and teacher support without quantifying either are common. When I’m hiring for a K–5 setting, I want to see the literacy proficiency numbers and the retention data, because those two metrics tell me whether the interventions actually worked.
What moves this to the top:
- Early literacy proficiency up 19% through K–2 reading interventions and first-year teacher retention improved from 74% to 88% through a structured onboarding program, two K–5-specific outcomes with clear before-and-after data.
- Kindergarten transition programming served 80+ students annually and RTI coaching for 25 teachers drove a 22% K–3 reading benchmark improvement at Round Rock ISD, early childhood leadership with measurable reach.
Assistant Principal Intern Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
AP intern candidates who describe their internship duties without showing outcome data are common. When I’m evaluating an intern’s readiness for a full AP role, I want to see whether the internship involved real administrative responsibility rather than observation and task support.
What most candidates miss:
- Reading proficiency improved 12% through data analysis and improvement plan co-leadership during the internship year and 20+ parent cases resolved monthly with 90%+ satisfaction, real AP outcomes during an internship.
- Coaching cycles for 30+ teachers improved average observation ratings 1.2 points on a 4-point scale, a coaching track record translating directly into the instructional supervision side of an AP role.
Bilingual Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Bilingual AP candidates who mention ELL proficiency gains without explaining how they achieved them are common. When I’m hiring for a bilingual school environment, I want to see the instructional mechanisms behind the data and whether the family communication reach was actual and documented.
Why this clears the bar:
- ELL proficiency rates increased 22% through expanded dual-language instructional time and targeted teacher PD, and 400+ families received school communications in their home language through direct translation services.
- Bilingual family literacy nights served 150+ attendees increasing at-home reading practices 40% and dual-language classroom benchmarks exceeded 90% annually as a classroom teacher, program and classroom outcomes connected.
Assistant Principal With Coaching Experience Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
APs with coaching backgrounds who list coaching accomplishments without connecting them to administrative outcomes are common. When I’m hiring for this profile, I want to see whether the coaching work built toward school-level leadership or simply stayed in individual teacher development.
The data that matters:
- Lesson effectiveness increased 28% through coaching cycles and a coaching toolkit adopted across 3 schools, impact extending beyond individual teacher development into systemic reach across Baltimore City Schools.
- Schoolwide MAP assessment growth improved 15% in the AP role and repeat referrals cut 30% through a behavior intervention team, connecting coaching-developed instructional skills to administrative-level school outcomes.
Assistant Principal With Special Education Focus Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
APs with special education backgrounds who list IEP compliance without showing inclusion rate improvements or due process outcomes are common. When I’m hiring for a building with a significant special education population, I want the compliance record and whether inclusion work moved students into general education.
What pulls this application forward:
- IEP goal mastery up 26% through monthly progress monitoring and inclusion rates improved from 62% to 78% through redesigned co-teaching models, outcomes on both sides of the compliance equation.
- Zero due process complaints over 3 years and 45 staff trained on inclusive practices with 35% implementation improvement, a legal and instructional track record protecting schools and serving students.
K–8 Assistant Principal Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
K–8 AP candidates who mention curriculum alignment and transition programming without showing outcome data are common. When I’m evaluating this profile, I want to see whether the vertical alignment work reduced the skills gaps students arrive with and whether the transition programming improved early-year outcomes.
Where the evidence lands:
- Advisory program launched improved student connectedness 30% and curriculum alignment work between elementary and middle teams reduced incoming 6th grade skill gaps 20%, K–8-specific outcomes with data behind them.
- Tier 2 behavior plans coordinated for 80+ students across K–8 and transition programming improved family confidence scores 25%, the cross-grade operational scope that K–8 leadership requires and specialists rarely deliver.
Assistant Principal for Charter School Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Charter school AP candidates who mention data cycles and curriculum fidelity without showing proficiency outcomes or family engagement numbers are common. When I’m evaluating for a charter setting, I want to see whether the high-expectations model produced academic movement and whether the family onboarding held.
What I need to see:
- Math proficiency increased 18% through curriculum execution and weekly data meetings and 92% family participation achieved in orientation events for 100+ new students annually, instructional and community outcomes together.
- Student attendance improved 15% and minor behavioral incidents reduced 25% over 2 years alongside 50+ formal observations per semester, the school culture and instructional oversight combination charter networks look for.
Assistant Principal With School Discipline Focus Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Discipline-focused AP candidates who list restorative practices without showing suspension reduction data or racial equity outcomes are common. When I’m evaluating this profile, I want to see actual suspension percentages and whether the data reveals reduced disproportionality, not just a lower overall number.
What this one shows:
- Out-of-school suspensions reduced 40% through restorative conferencing and racial referral disparities reduced 25% through revised schoolwide policies, both the aggregate and the equity dimension of the discipline data.
- On-site mental health services established cutting crisis escalations 50% and de-escalation training delivered to 40 staff with 85% reporting improved confidence, prevention infrastructure built rather than just reactive management.
Assistant Principal With Student Affairs Background Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
APs with student affairs backgrounds who describe extracurricular programming without connecting it to academic outcomes are common. When I’m evaluating this transition, I want to see whether the student engagement work translated into attendance, course success, or retention metrics rather than just event counts.
What makes this worth a closer look:
- 15-plus student organizations launched increasing participation 40% and 9th grade course failure reduced 20% through early intervention, engagement work connected to the academic metric student affairs leaders often miss.
- 200-plus students served annually through nonprofit mentoring partnerships and first-month attendance improved 15% through new student orientation programming, community and academic transition outcomes built from a student affairs foundation.
Assistant Principal Resume With Tech Integration Experience Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Tech-integration AP candidates who list EdTech platforms without showing teacher adoption rates or student outcome data are common. When I’m evaluating this background, I want to see whether the technology work reduced the support burden on teachers and whether student engagement actually moved.
Where this candidate stands out:
- EdTech support tickets reduced 35% through proactive teacher training and student tech participation in enrichment activities increased 45%, technology leadership that improved both teacher workload and student engagement simultaneously.
- EdTech onboarding platform built cutting new teacher orientation from 3 days to 4 hours and 1:1 Chromebook rollout coordinated for 600+ students, infrastructure built rather than just technology used.
Assistant Principal for Title I Schools Resume Example
Why this resume example is strong:
Title I AP candidates who list compliance and wraparound services without quantifying either are common. When I’m evaluating this profile, I want to see the attendance improvement data, the audit outcomes, and whether the community partnerships actually reached students in documented numbers.
Why this one stands apart:
- Attendance improved 13% through home visits and transportation coordination and Title I audits produced zero findings over 4 years, the operational compliance and human-centered outreach combination high-poverty schools require.
- Six social service partners brought to campus serving 150+ students and families annually and racial referral disparities reduced 28% through equity committee policy revision, systemic and community-level leadership with numbers.
Assistant Principal Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates
How To Write an Assistant Principal Resume
Your assistant principal resume should usually include these sections:
- Contact information
- Profile
- Key skills
- Professional experience
- Education and certifications
Below are tips and samples to help you organize each resume section.
1. Share your contact information
Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Ensure your contact information is current so employers can reach you for an interview.
Example
Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, ST 09876 | LinkedIn
2. Write a compelling profile summarizing your assistant principal qualifications
At the top of your resume, give the three to five primary reasons you excel as an assistant principal. These key selling points may include your:
- Years of experience in school administration
- Main strengths as a leader and educator
- Advanced degree or certification(s) in your field
(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)
Example:
Assistant principal with 10 years of experience in instructional leadership, restorative practices, and school culture transformation. Expert in leading professional development and implementing strategic interventions to boost academic outcomes and reduce suspensions.
3. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your work and success in roles similar to the one you’re pursuing. For each job in your recent work history, brainstorm your duties and achievements on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, choose the most relevant details to feature as bullet points in this section.
Example:
Assistant Principal, Skyline Middle School, Cincinnati, OH | July 2017 to present
- Raised students’ math proficiency by 28% over three years by implementing targeted intervention programs
- Led professional learning communities for 45+ teachers to improve instructional consistency and collaboration
- Oversaw daily operations and discipline, reducing suspension rates by 40% through a restorative justice model
- Supported parent outreach events and improved family engagement survey ratings by 30%
Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience
When possible, use relevant performance data to measure the results you’ve achieved as an assistant principal. Hard numbers like percentages and dollar amounts put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your impact.
Do
- “Boosted student attendance by 12% in two years through personalized family outreach and school incentives”
Don’t
- “Helped improve student attendance”
Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application
For each job posting you respond to, note any details given about the hiring school’s size, mission, or student population. How do these areas compare to your recent experience? By citing these similarities in your profile, you can make a stronger first impression.
What if you have no experience as an assistant principal?
As long as the job posting doesn’t strictly require it, you don’t need direct work experience to write an effective resume. The trick is focusing on your transferable skills, which can come from various areas such as your other past jobs, volunteer positions, or academic projects. By detailing these areas in full on your resume, you can ensure it helps you get interviews for your target job.
4. Include your education and relevant certifications
With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Each degree or credential also serves as a formal endorsement of your skills and professionalism. Following are templates to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).
Education
Template:
[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, ST] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant honors, coursework, or activities]
Example:
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership, University of Ohio, Columbus, OH
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
[Description if the credential is lesser-known but relevant]
Example:
School Leadership License, Ohio Department of Education | 2022
5. List pertinent key skills
A separate skills section lets you quickly display the (possibly various) ways you can add value to an organization. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Academic intervention planning | Behavior management systems |
| Budget and resource management | Curriculum design |
| Data-driven instruction | Educational equity |
| Family and community engagement | Instructional coaching |
| Professional development | Program implementation |
| School improvement planning | Staff evaluation |
| Student safety protocols | Teacher mentoring |
| Team leadership | Trauma-informed practices |
| Work scheduling | |
Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs
Start each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the reader’s attention and tell a compelling story about your experience.
The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your assistant principal resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Advised | Assisted |
| Coached | Created |
| Decreased | Designed |
| Directed | Doubled |
| Earned | Encouraged |
| Enhanced | Established |
| Evaluated | Facilitated |
| Fostered | Generated |
| Grew | Improved |
| Increased | Introduced |
| Launched | Led |
| Lowered | Managed |
| Monitored | Oversaw |
| Prevented | Ranked |
| Reduced | Reinforced |
| Resolved | Reversed |
| Revitalized | Spearheaded |
| Streamlined | Strengthened |
| Supported | Updated |
| Won | |
How To Pick the Best Assistant Principal Resume Template
A resume is a simple tool for professional communication and should be formatted that way. Choose a template that’s clear and straightforward, and avoid any template with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and update your work history going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions: Assistant Principal Resume Examples and Advice
How do you align your resume with an assistant principal job posting?
Focus on editing your skills section. With just a few quick changes to this section, you can further hone your resume and help it get past screenings by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
First, take a close look at the job posting and highlight any skills required. Then, compare those highlighted terms against your resume's existing skills section. Delete any skills from your list that don't appear in the job posting, and add any missing skills of yours that do.
What is the best assistant principal resume format?
The combination (or hybrid) format, because it lets you present yourself both clearly and strategically. According to job search experts Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, this format "gives you many opportunities to share your specific successes.... It offers immense flexibility in an easy-to-follow structure."
A combination resume has these two features:
- An introduction to your strengths. Typically, the resume intro consists of a profile paragraph and skills list, as in the examples on this page. But there are many variations. Depending on your job search, you may choose to omit one or both of these sections in favor of a brief professional headline. You may also add a chart or other visual element. Whatever approach you choose, make sure your introduction tells why you're great for the job.
- One or more experience sections. Hiring managers want to know your latest career activities. The combination format lets you provide that information with sections for your recent years' work, internship, education, or other experience. For most job seekers, the bulk of their combination resume will be a "Professional Experience" section with detailed job descriptions in reverse-chronological order.
Include a cover letter with your resume
A good cover letter sharpens your job application by answering the question, Why are you interested in this particular job? As with starting your resume, brainstorm your thoughts on a separate document or paper and then choose the most compelling ones as your foundation. When possible, quote or paraphrase text from the job posting and explain why it caught your attention.
Check Out Related Examples
Resume Templates offers HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.
