Characteristics and activities of public and private K–12 school principals

The National Center for Education Statistics has released a new report, Characteristics of Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals in the United States: Results From the 2017–18 National Teacher and Principal Survey First Look. The report introduces new information about public and private K–12 school principals.

• During the 2017–18 school year, public school principals were predominantly White (78 percent), with 11 percent identifying as non-Hispanic Black or African American and 9 percent identifying as Hispanic. Among private school principals, 86 percent were non-Hispanic White, 5 percent were non-Hispanic Black or African American, and 5 percent were Hispanic. Approximately 54 percent of public school principals and 58 percent of private school principals were female.
• Principals most commonly reported their highest level of educational attainment as a master’s degree (62 percent among public school principals, 51 percent among private school principals). Around 2 percent of public school principals and 31 percent of private school principals reported their highest degree as a bachelor’s degree or less.
• Public school principals reported an average annual salary of $98,300, with high school principals earning higher salaries than principals in middle schools, primary schools, and combined schools. Private school principals reported an average annual salary of $72,600, with higher salaries also going to principals in secondary schools.

The report also provides information on years of experience, professional development, influence over various school operations, and principal evaluations in public and private schools.