Illuminate: Principal of the Year Celebration

When: July 8-10, 2025 – Before UNITED conference
Where: Seattle, WA

The NASSP National Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. Majority of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select one middle level and/or high school principal to represent their state. From these state winners, three finalists are named for each level as contenders for the National Principal of the Year award. NASSP honors all State Principals of the Year at this invitation-only event held each year in Washington, D.C. This special event not only salutes the principalship but also provides a forum for honorees to advocate for education and share best practices and expertise. Show your support to the leaders who represent public education across the nation as they mobilize to increase visibility and elevate the principalship, using their voices to make an impact. Highlight of the week is the Principal of the Year Gala. The Principal of the Year Gala will celebrate each principal and culminate in the announcement of two National Principal of the Years – a Middle Level National Principal of the Year and High School National Principal of the Year.