Principal Selection Process

Planning to become a school principal? Review the process.

Steps to becoming a principal: Application Screening, Screening Interview, On-Site Central Office Screening, Principal Pool, School-Specific Panel Interview, Region Interview, Superintendent Interview

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) utilizes a principal pool to fill principal vacancies. Current FCPS principals are automatically considered candidates in the pool. The process for candidates to be admitted into the FCPS principal pool includes three screening steps: application assessment, online assessment, and in-person assessment. Once candidates are admitted into the principal pool, they have an opportunity to engage in professional development led by experienced FCPS principals.

Principal vacancies are announced to FCPS principals and candidates in the FCPS principal pool. The interview process for a specific principal vacancy includes a school-community panel interview, region leadership interview, and superintendent interview.

Implementing a principal pool has helped increase and diversify FCPS' candidate pool and ensure greater transparency around how FCPS selects its schools' leaders. The pool model aligns with FCPS’ Strategic Plan, Ignite.

Annual Principal Pool Application Windows

Window 1 (Fall) Application

April through Early September: FCPS Principal Pool Advertises
Mid-September through Mid-October: Screening of Qualified Applicants
End of October: Principal Candidate Pool Determined

Window 2 (Spring) Application

November through Mid-February: FCPS Principal Pool Advertises
February through March: Screening of Qualified Applicants
April: Principal Candidate Pool Determined

Information Sessions

Those interested in learning more about the principal selection pool process are encouraged to attend an information session. Please e-mail [email protected] to register for one of the sessions listed below. All sessions will be held virtually.