Background

The NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal ® (NDP) program was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students, families, and staffs in their learning communities. The program was based on three fundamental ideas:

1. Children’s attitudes towards learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in the beginning school years.
2. The scope and quality of children’s educational experiences are determined primarily by the school principal, who establishes, through the important work of teachers and the support of caring parents, the character of a particular school’s program.
3. The dedication and enthusiasm of the outstanding principals who guide children’s early education experiences should be acknowledged to both show appreciation for their work as well as to allow them to serve as models for others in the field.

Each year, NDPs represent Pre-K through grade 8 public schools from all across the country as well as principals in U.S. private schools and those from the United States Departments of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. Public school elementary and middle-level principals are nominated by peers in their state, and final selections are made by committees appointed by each of NAESP’s state affiliate offices. Honorees from private schools and overseas schools are selected by special committees.

Criteria established by NAESP require that the individual is a practicing principal with at least five years of experience in the principalship, who plans to continue as a practicing principal. The principal must demonstrate evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and to the education profession and should lead a school that:

• Must be a member of NAESP for three consecutive years at the time of  nomination and maintain membership through the conclusion of the NAESP Award Ceremony;
• Is clearly committed to excellence;
• Has programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; and
• Has firm ties to parents and the community.

To contact an NDP’s state affiliate, click here.

Questions about the NDP program should be directed to Nikki Sparks.

NDPs By Year

NDP News Recap

The NDP program features an awe-inspiring gala, where recipients are officially recognized as a nationally distinguished principal. View the highlights from each year's event below by clicking on the photos.

Fundraising

Each year, the NDP class raises funds as part of the NDP Fundraising Challenge. The goal of the challenge is to beat the previous class.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the National Distinguished Principals Challenge!