Step 1 – Online Application

During the online application you will be asked to provide the following:

• Resume
• Overview of your educational background and work experience

We suggest that you are prepared to complete the application in one sitting because you will not be able to make any edits or changes to your application after you have submitted. The entirety of the application should take no more than 30 to 45 minutes. After submitting the application, candidates that meet all pre-qualifications will be sent an email to complete the Instructional Video Activity.

Step 2 –  Instructional Video Activity

Once you have completed the initial application you will receive an email with the Instructional Video Activity. You will watch a video of classroom instruction and answer a series of questions regarding the video. Candidates cannot continue to the next stage of the selection process if they have not submitted the Instructional Video Activity.

The School Leader Recruitment and Selection Team will review your Instructional Video Activity within 10-15 business days and you will be notified via e-mail of your application status. If you do not receive a status update within 15 business days, please email [email protected].

Step 3 - Performance Task

The next stage in the Assistant Principal selection process is focuses on instructional leadership and coaching skills. Applicants are also asked to submit 3 professional references at this stage.

Step 4 – Interview Process

Assistant Principal Candidates - Phone Interview & School Based Selection: Qualified candidates are scheduled for a 45-minute phone interview with a current DCPS Assistant Principal. The interview process will measure candidate’s strengths through the lens of the Leadership Framework and alignment to the Capital Commitment.

After the phone interview, candidates are placed in the General AP approved pool. At this time, they will be invited to take the LEAP Content Assessment(s) that they identified on their application. Demonstrating proficiency on LEAP Content Assessments will result in candidates being placed in content-specific AP approved pools. Being placed into a hiring pool confirms one is eligible for hire but does not guarantee hire.

School campuses initiate communication with candidates to schedule school-based interview activities. School leaders confirm final candidate selections with Instructional Superintendents before moving forward; Instructional Superintendents and other senior academic leaders within DCPS may ask for the opportunity to meet with final candidate(s) and hiring Principals before a final selection is made.

For more information on the Assistant Principal Process please see: Assistant Principal Position Overview and Application Process.

Principal Candidates - In-Person Interview, Chancellor Interview & Community Panel: Candidates who pass the Performance Task stage will be invited to an in-person interview day with various DCPS executive leaders. The in-person interview will be approximately four hours long. At this point in the process, the School Leader Recruitment & Selection team will also check candidates’ professional references.

Based on recommendations from the in-person interviews, qualified candidates will have an interview with the Chancellor. After the Chancellor interview, approved applicants are placed in the applicant pool and become eligible to participate in Community Panel interviews at schools with Principal vacancies.

As Principal vacancies are announced, candidates in the approved pool are invited to participate in Community Panels. The purpose of the panel is for the school community to make a feedback to the Chancellor about candidate fit within a school community. Community Panels include school community members, parents, faculty, staff, and students of schools with vacancies.

Based on the results of the community panel, the Chancellor will make all final principal hiring determinations. Official employment offers will be given by the Office of Human Resources.

For more information on the Assistant Principal Process please see: Principal Position Overview and Application Process.