300 Questions to Ask a Principal During Interview

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the school doors? Interviewing a school principal can offer a peek into the heart of a school, from classroom vibes to future plans.

Asking the right questions not only helps you understand the school better but it also shows that you’re seriously interested in the education and well-being of the students. 

About School Safety

1. How do you ensure the safety of students during school hours?
2. What security measures are in place on campus?
3. Do you have security personnel or school resource officers?
4. What’s your protocol for handling emergencies like fires or lockdowns?
5. How do you handle bullying to keep kids safe?
6. What is the procedure for visitor check-ins?
7. How do you monitor who comes in and out of the school?
8. Is there a crisis management plan, and how often is it reviewed?
9. How do you prepare students and staff for emergency situations?
10. Are there any security cameras, and where are they located?
11. What measures are in place to ensure online safety for students?
12. How do you handle anonymous tips or reports about safety concerns?
13. How often do you conduct safety drills?
14. Are first-aid kits easily accessible around the school?
15. Is there a plan for keeping students safe during after-school activities?
16. How are medications stored and administered to ensure safety?
17. How do you communicate with parents in case of an emergency?
18. How are classroom doors secured during an emergency?
19. Do you work with local law enforcement on school safety?
20. How are school buses monitored for safety?
21. How do you ensure the safety of students with special needs?
22. How are conflicts between students handled?
23. What steps are taken to prevent cyberbullying?
24. Are there plans for natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes?
25. How do you address concerns from parents about safety?
26. How is student data kept secure?
27. Are there safety measures for school events like sports games or concerts?
28. What is your policy on weapons in school?
29. How is the staff trained to handle different types of emergencies?
30. What improvements are you considering to make the school even safer?

About Student Achievement

1. How do you measure student success in your school?
2. What’s the average test score improvement you’ve seen over the past few years?
3. How do you support low-performing students?
4. What programs are in place for gifted or advanced students?
5. How do you handle students who are falling behind in their classes?
6. What kind of extra help is available for students who need it?
7. How do you work with teachers to improve student achievement?
8. What role do parents play in their children’s academic success here?
9. Do you have any partnerships with local businesses or colleges to help students succeed?
10. What’s your take on homework and its impact on student achievement?
11. How do you incorporate technology to help students achieve more?
12. What are the opportunities for real-world learning or internships?
13. How do you prepare students for standardized tests?
14. What courses or programs set your school apart in terms of student achievement?
15. How does your school help students who are struggling with literacy?
16. How do you ensure that students are well-prepared for the next grade level?
17. What extracurricular activities support academic success?
18. How do you track student progress throughout the year?
19. Do you have any special initiatives to improve math and science skills?
20. How do you address different learning styles in the classroom?
21. What life skills do you teach to help students succeed beyond academics?
22. How does the school support the mental health of students?
23. Do you have college prep or career counseling services?
24. What success stories can you share about students who have graduated?
25. How do you foster creativity and critical thinking skills?
26. What is the school doing to reduce dropout rates?
27. How do you celebrate and acknowledge student achievements?
28. How do you handle grade disputes or issues of academic integrity?
29. What are the most common challenges students face in achieving academic success?
30. What plans do you have to further improve student achievement in the future?

About Discipline Policies

1. What is your overall approach to discipline in the school?
2. How do you handle fights or physical conflicts between students?
3. What are the consequences of bullying or harassment?
4. What is your policy on classroom disruptions?
5. How do you deal with tardiness or absenteeism?
6. Is there a formal system for reporting behavioral issues?
7. How do you involve parents when disciplinary action is needed?
8. What kind of behavior warrants suspension or expulsion?
9. Do you have any alternative discipline methods like restorative justice?
10. What steps are taken before a student is suspended or expelled?
11. How do you ensure that discipline is fair and equal for all students?
12. How are students made aware of the rules and consequences?
13. What is your stance on corporal punishment?
14. Are there any programs to improve student behavior, like character education?
15. How does the school handle issues of discrimination or bias?
16. How are teachers supported in maintaining discipline in the classroom?
17. How are discipline records kept, and who has access to them?
18. Do you involve students in creating or reviewing the discipline policy?
19. What is your policy on cheating or plagiarism?
20. Are there any discipline-related challenges you’re currently trying to address?
21. How do you handle drug or alcohol-related incidents?
22. What’s the process for handling conflicts between students and teachers?
23. How are small offenses like dress code violations dealt with?
24. Do you use detention, and what are the rules around it?
25. How are serious offenses reported to local authorities?
26. Are there any mentoring programs to help troubled students?
27. How do you handle cyberbullying or other online misconduct?
28. What role does the school counselor play in discipline?
29. How do you handle off-campus incidents that involve students?
30. What are your future plans for updating or improving discipline policies?

About School Culture

1. How would you describe the overall culture of the school?
2. What values or principles guide the school community?
3. How do you encourage a sense of belonging among students?
4. What steps are taken to make the school inclusive for everyone?
5. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements among staff or students?
6. How do you promote respect and kindness in the school?
7. Are there traditions or events that bring the school community together?
8. How do you encourage students to take pride in their school?
9. How is student voice included in decision-making?
10. What role do parents play in shaping the school culture?
11. How do you address the diverse cultural backgrounds of students and staff?
12. Do you have clubs or groups that focus on social issues or cultural awareness?
13. How do you make new students and staff feel welcome?
14. What initiatives are there to improve student well-being and happiness?
15. How do you handle issues of equity and social justice within the school?
16. What programs are in place for student leadership and development?
17. How does the school promote academic integrity?
18. How are achievements, both big and small, celebrated?
19. What kind of relationship do teachers have with students and parents?
20. Are there any mentorship programs for students?
21. How is creativity encouraged among students?
22. What kind of community service or outreach programs are in place?
23. How do you handle student stress and mental health?
24. What is the school’s approach to handling rumors or gossip?
25. How are teachers encouraged to collaborate and share ideas?
26. How do you keep morale high among staff and students?
27. How do you encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement?
28. Are there opportunities for students to give back to the community?
29. How do you promote a balanced lifestyle, including physical activity?
30. What are your future goals for improving or maintaining the school culture?

About Teacher Support

1. What kind of professional development opportunities do you offer for teachers?
2. How do you help new teachers adjust to the school environment?
3. What resources are available for lesson planning and curriculum development?
4. Do teachers have a say in school policies and decisions?
5. How do you handle teacher evaluations and feedback?
6. What’s the procedure for addressing classroom challenges like disruptive behavior?
7. Are there mentorship programs where experienced teachers guide newer ones?
8. How do you ensure a healthy work-life balance for teachers?
9. What kind of classroom supplies and resources are available?
10. How do you support teachers who want to pursue further education or certifications?
11. Are there opportunities for teachers to lead extracurricular activities or clubs?
12. How does the administration handle parent-teacher conflicts?
13. What tech tools are provided to help teachers manage their work?
14. How often do teachers meet with the administration for updates or discussions?
15. Is there a support system for teachers who deal with particularly challenging students?
16. How are teachers involved in shaping the school’s academic goals?
17. Do you have team-building activities or events for teachers?
18. How do you recognize and reward outstanding teaching performance?
19. What steps are taken to ensure a diverse and inclusive teaching staff?
20. Are teachers encouraged to collaborate across different subjects or grades?
21. How is classroom performance measured and improved upon?
22. What is the process for requesting classroom aids or additional support?
23. Are there channels for teachers to share concerns or suggestions anonymously?
24. How does the school support teachers in improving student engagement?
25. How are teachers prepared for emergency situations in the classroom?
26. Are teachers allowed to customize their teaching methods to suit different learning styles?
27. How do you handle teacher burnout or stress?
28. What’s the policy for teachers taking personal or sick days?
29. Are there any unique challenges that teachers at this school face?
30. What future plans do you have for improving teacher support?

About Parent Involvement

1. How do you keep parents informed about what’s happening at school?
2. What kind of volunteer opportunities are available for parents?
3. How are parents involved in decision-making at the school?
4. Do you have parent-teacher conferences, and how often?
5. How do you handle feedback or suggestions from parents?
6. Is there a parent-teacher association, and what is their role?
7. What’s the best way for parents to communicate with teachers and staff?
8. How can parents support their kids’ learning at home?
9. Do you have workshops or seminars that educate parents on helping their children?
10. How are parents notified about their child’s behavior or academic issues?
11. Are there social events where parents can get involved and meet each other?
12. How do you involve parents in school fundraisers or community events?
13. Are there resources or newsletters aimed specifically at parents?
14. How can parents contribute to the classroom or subject matter?
15. How do you accommodate working parents who have limited time?
16. Are there opportunities for parents to share their skills or careers with students?
17. How do you ensure that all parents, regardless of background, feel included?
18. How are parents involved in extracurricular activities or sports?
19. What channels are available for parents who have concerns or complaints?
20. How do you keep parents updated on changes to school policies or procedures?
21. Do you have meetings specifically for parents to attend and discuss school issues?
22. How do you engage parents in their child’s long-term educational planning?
23. Are parents involved in setting or reviewing school goals?
24. What role do parents play in school improvement initiatives?
25. How do parents participate in celebrating student achievements?
26. Do you solicit parent feedback through surveys or questionnaires?
27. How are parents prepared to help their kids with standardized testing?
28. How do you involve parents in summer programs or outside-of-school learning?
29. Are there language support services for non-English-speaking parents?
30. What are your future plans for increasing or improving parent involvement?

About Extracurricular Activities

1. What kinds of extracurricular activities are offered at the school?
2. How do students sign up for these activities?
3. Are there opportunities for students to start their own clubs or groups?
4. How do you make sure there’s a good balance between academics and extracurriculars?
5. Do these activities have any costs, and is financial aid available?
6. How are parents informed about extracurricular opportunities?
7. What role do teachers play in these activities?
8. Are there activities aimed at building specific skills, like leadership or teamwork?
9. How do extracurriculars tie into the overall education experience?
10. Do you have partnerships with local organizations for more opportunities?
11. How are activities made accessible to students with disabilities?
12. Are there travel opportunities, like field trips or competitions?
13. How do you measure the success or impact of an extracurricular program?
14. What options are there for students interested in arts or music?
15. Are there sports programs, and how are they managed?
16. How do you handle conflicts or issues within extracurricular groups?
17. Do students have a say in what new activities are introduced?
18. How do you make sure all students are aware of the activities available to them?
19. Are there academic prerequisites for joining certain activities?
20. What’s the time commitment expected from students in these activities?
21. How do these activities reflect the diversity of the student body?
22. Are there summer or holiday programs that extend these activities?
23. How do you celebrate or acknowledge successes in extracurriculars?
24. What safety measures are in place for these activities?
25. Do you have programs that involve the community, like volunteer work?
26. How do you ensure the quality of coaching or adult supervision?
27. Are there any online or virtual extracurricular options?
28. How are activities coordinated to avoid schedule clashes?
29. Do extracurricular achievements get recognized in school awards or ceremonies?
30. What are your future plans for expanding or improving extracurricular offerings?

About Communication

1. How do you keep parents updated on school news and events?
2. What’s the best way for parents and teachers to communicate with each other?
3. How are emergency situations communicated to parents and staff?
4. Are there regular newsletters or bulletins?
5. How do you make sure important messages reach everyone?
6. What tools or platforms do you use for communication, like apps or websites?
7. Is there a clear line of communication between the administration and teachers?
8. How do students find out about important deadlines, like for tests or applications?
9. How do you gather feedback from students, parents, and staff?
10. Are there scheduled meetings between teachers and the administration?
11. How are language barriers addressed in school communications?
12. What’s the process for parents to bring concerns to the administration?
13. How do you communicate changes in school policies?
14. Are there opportunities for open forums or town-hall-style meetings?
15. How do teachers communicate academic progress to parents?
16. What’s the approach for handling rumors or misinformation?
17. How do you keep the school community informed about achievements or good news?
18. How are staff trained to communicate effectively with students and parents?
19. What’s the procedure for communicating about sensitive issues like bullying or harassment?
20. How do you communicate expectations at the beginning of the school year?
21. Do you have a system for anonymous feedback or reporting?
22. How are updates about extracurricular activities communicated?
23. Are there any regular surveys to assess communication effectiveness?
24. How is the student body informed about school-wide decisions or changes?
25. What role do students play in school communications, like through a student council?
26. How do you ensure confidentiality in communications when needed?
27. Are there guidelines for teacher-student communication outside of school hours?
28. How is important information shared during remote learning periods?
29. What steps are taken to make sure communications are accessible to all, such as using simple language or providing translations?
30. What are your plans for improving communication in the future?

About Future Plans for the School

1. What’s your vision for the school in the next five years?
2. Are there any major changes coming up, like construction or reorganization?
3. How do you plan to improve academic performance?
4. What new extracurricular activities are you thinking of adding?
5. Are there plans to update technology and resources?
6. How will you address the needs of a growing or shrinking student population?
7. What new courses or subjects are being considered?
8. How do you plan to make the school more eco-friendly?
9. Are there any collaborations or partnerships in the pipeline?
10. How will you improve support for teachers?
11. What steps are being taken to improve school safety?
12. How do you plan to enhance parent involvement?
13. Are there any plans to tackle issues like bullying or mental health?
14. Will there be any changes to admission or enrollment policies?
15. How do you plan to make the school more inclusive and diverse?
16. Are you considering any changes to the school schedule or calendar?
17. How will you measure the success of these future plans?
18. What opportunities will there be for students to participate in decision-making?
19. How do you plan to improve school facilities?
20. What’s the strategy for maintaining strong community relationships?
21. Are there plans to update or change the curriculum?
22. How will you keep pace with educational trends and research?
23. Are you thinking of hosting any large events, like conferences or competitions?
24. What are your goals for student achievement?
25. Are you considering changes to testing and evaluation methods?
26. How will these future plans be funded?
27. What’s your approach to handling potential challenges or setbacks?
28. How will you communicate these plans to parents, students, and staff?
29. Are there opportunities for external community involvement in your plans?
30. What are the next immediate steps for executing these future plans?

About Community Partnerships

1. What local businesses or organizations are you currently partnered with?
2. How do these partnerships benefit the students?
3. Are there any partnerships focused on improving academic programs?
4. How do you choose which organizations to partner with?
5. What kinds of events or activities come out of these partnerships?
6. Do any partnerships offer internships or work experiences for students?
7. How are parents and teachers involved in these community partnerships?
8. Are there any partnerships aimed at enhancing extracurricular activities?
9. How do these partnerships support school improvement goals?
10. Do any partnerships help with resources, like technology or books?
11. Are there partnerships that offer services like tutoring or mentorship?
12. How do you make sure these partnerships are aligned with the school’s values?
13. What steps are taken to maintain a good relationship with community partners?
14. Are students involved in the decision-making process for partnerships?
15. Do you have any partnerships that are focused on arts and culture?
16. How are these partnerships communicated to the school community?
17. Are there any volunteer opportunities for students through these partnerships?
18. How do partnerships factor into long-term plans for the school?
19. Are there any collaborations that involve parents or families?
20. How do you measure the success or impact of a partnership?
21. Are there partnerships aimed at career readiness and guidance?
22. Do any partnerships focus on social issues, like health or environment?
23. How do you handle conflicts or challenges that arise in partnerships?
24. Are there partnerships that provide additional funding or grants?
25. What’s the process for initiating a new community partnership?
26. Are there any partnerships that focus on specific student groups, like special education?
27. How are community partners involved in school events or celebrations?
28. Do these partnerships offer any benefits or support for teachers?
29. Are there any future partnerships you are currently exploring?
30. How can the school community suggest potential new partnerships?

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I assess the success of the interview afterward?

Reflect on the answers given and your overall comfort level with the principal’s responses. Did you get the information you needed? Do you have a better understanding of the school’s culture, policies, and plans? Your post-interview assessment can be as telling as the interview itself.

Is it appropriate to ask about staff and teacher qualifications?

Yes, knowing about the qualifications of the people who will be interacting with students daily is important. You can ask questions about how teachers are hired, their average level of experience, and what types of qualifications they hold.