2025 Outstanding New Principal Award Process

Nominating a candidate for the Outstanding New Principal Award begins with each school's awards liaison, who has information about the nomination process and deadlines. 

Who Is Eligibile

Any FCPS employee or community member can nominate a new principal for this award, but employees may not nominate themselves. Eligible candidates must be within the first 3 years of their assignment as principal in FCPS (assistant, associate, or subschool principals are not eligible for this award – consider nominating them for the FCPS Outstanding School-Based Leader award). Eligible candidates must be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.  

Award Criteria 

Nominees are new principals who:

• Gather, analyze, and use data for student achievement.
• Communicate a clear vision for school improvement and stakeholder engagement.
• Maintain effective discipline and foster a safe environment for students and staff.
• Exhibit effective communication skills when working with staff and community members.
• Model professionalism and promote the professional growth of others.
• Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.

The Selection Process

Schools nominating their new principal for this award will submit nomination packets directly to the Region level, where finalists for Outstanding New Principal are selected. Finalists move on to the Leadership Team level, where the annual FCPS Outstanding New Principal is selected. 

Awards and Recognition

All honorees will be recognized. The annual FCPS Outstanding New Principal will be announced at the FCPS Honors event and will receive $4000. In recognition of collaborative teamwork, the FCPS award winners and their colleagues will also receive a celebration at their worksite.

Questions and More Information

Please contact the school's awards liaison.