Strong Leaders For Our Schools and Communities
CPS principals are key levers for change and are critical to the success of our schools. We are committed to ensuring every school has strong leaders that provide opportunities for all students to achieve their fullest potential. Strong leaders focus on equity to provide a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. We seek innovative, entrepreneurial, results-oriented school leaders with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the students in their schools and to the communities in which their schools reside.
How To Apply
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View Current Principal Opportunities (Vacancies)
Principal positions are generally posted for two weeks and may be posted again after the application deadline or upon request by the LSC. Candidates do not need to reapply for reposted positions.
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Submit Your Application
To apply, complete and submit the CPS Principal Candidate Application Form and attach your resume, cover letter, and other materials requested by the advertising LSC. Additional attachments will not be accepted. Submit a separate application form with material for each individual school to which you are applying. All materials must be in PDF format only. Please note we cannot provide updates to candidates on the status of their application.
CPS Principal Requirements
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Active Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Endorsements
To apply to principal positions, you must possess an Illinois Professional Educator’s License (PEL) and one of the following Administrative endorsements:
- Principal
- General Administrator
- Superintendent
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CPS Principal Eligibility
To be offered a Uniform Principal Contract, you must be a member of the CPS Principal Candidate Pool (Pool). This requirement 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.
Membership is obtained through the successful completion of the CPS Principal Eligibility Process, which is administered by the Department of Principal Quality, in alignment with the Principal Eligibility Policy.
If you are unsure if you are currently a member of the Pool, you can search for your name in the public list or email CPSLeaders@cps.edu.
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Residency Requirement
All CPS employees must adhere to the Residency Policy for All Employees of the Board of Education. All officers and employees hired on or after the date of the residency policy will be required to be residents of the City of Chicago within six months from the day their employment begins.
Principal Expectations
CPS’ principal expectations are outlined in the CPS School Leadership Framework. The Framework organizes the work of a principal into four domains (competencies) and their underlying components. The School Leaders Rubric with Critical Attributes creates a shared understanding and common interpretation of each component in the Framework and guides supervisors in assessing the professional practice of principals.
Principal Selection Process
Resources
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Find more information about individual CPS schools.
- Department of Principal Quality
- NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT