The Key to Outstanding Schools is Outstanding Leaders.

Today’s real life challenges require instructional leaders prepared to transform schools and ensure the success of every child. Chicago Public Schools has embraced high‐quality school leadership as a priority for improving pre-K - 12 learning and outcomes for all students.

Why become a principal at the Chicago Public Schools?

Outside of classroom teachers, the CPS principal is arguably the most critical role in the district.  We rely on principals to hire and develop an outstanding instructional team, ensure that the needs of every student are met, and create a climate that supports the success of every child. Talk to any CPS principal and they will tell you stories of competing priorities, long hours, and time spent dealing with challenging situations.  But our principals will also tell you why being a CPS principal is one of the most fulfilling roles they’ve ever had. 

How do I become a principal at CPS?

Build the CPS Principal Competencies & Success Factors

The most important step to becoming a principal is understanding the knowledge, skills and abilities required for success. Individuals aspiring to become principals should seek out opportunities to build their instructional leadership skills, and to get exposed to the multitude of responsibilities a principal takes on every day.

There are multiple career paths that will help an aspiring principal build the CPS Principal Competencies & Success Factors. In fact, the actual roles are not as important as the quality of the experiences, and the exposure to fundamentals, such as assessing the quality of instruction in the classroom, helping teachers to improve their professional practice, nurturing the right climate for success, using data to inform your school improvement strategies, and engaging others to help your team reach your goals.  Click here to see an illustration of the multiple career paths to the principal role.

Acquire a Type 75 Administrative Certificate. 

An Illinois Type 75 administrative certificate is required to be hired as a principal in the state of Illinois.  If you have an administrative certificate from another state, please visit ISBE to find out more about obtaining a provisional Illinois administrative certificate. Click here for more information about acquiring Illinois Type 75 Certification.

Become part of the CPS Principal Candidate Pool. 

At the Chicago Public Schools, in many cases, the Local School Council selects the principal from the CPS Principal Candidate Pool.  Aspiring principals must pass the CPS Principal Eligibility Process in order to become part of the candidate pool.  This policy applies to all candidates, both internal and external, and ensures that schools have the most qualified principal candidates prepared to succeed from the first day on the job. 

Click here for more information about the CPS Principal Eligibility Process.