Principals, assistant principals and those who support their efforts are making a difference in the quality of education offered in Washington state. There are several prestigious awards that celebrate individuals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement and community involvement as well as individuals who advocate for education and the principalship.
Each year, AWSP recognizes an outstanding elementary and secondary principal as our Washington State Elementary Principal of the Year and Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year. We also recognize a Washington State Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year and a Washington State Secondary Principal of the Year. The awards provide significant recognition on the state and national level.
Principals and assistant principals are nominated each year. Nominations can come from anyone, including district staff, school staff, students, parents, or community members. Nominees then fill out an application to be scored by a review panel. In addition to the state award, the four winners chosen represent our state at the national level. Those awards are:
- National Association of Secondary School Principals | Principal of the Year
- National Association of Secondary School Principals | Assistant Principal of the Year
- National Association of Elementary School Principals | National Distinguished Principal
- National Association of Elementary School Principals | National Outstanding Assistant Principal
NASSP will select one principal and one Assistant Principal to be their respective national winner. In September 2012, Trevor Greene became our state's first National Principal of the Year. NAESP does not select a national winner.
The Torch of Leadership Award honors individuals serving in the Washington state government who have demonstrated outstanding support of principals and the principalship. The award was established in 2009.
Nominations are submitted by members of the AWSP Advocacy Advisory Council, and the final selection is made by committee and AWSP staff members. Recipients are named in the spring after the legislative session and honored in October at the AWSP’s fall meeting of the Legislation Committee.
The AWSP President’s Award is given to a person outside the association who has advocated on behalf of principals and the principalship in Washington state. Recipients are chosen by the AWSP Board in consultation with the AWSP executive director. The award is presented at the association's annual conference in June.
Each year, the William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors two high school juniors or seniors from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to attend the United States Senate Youth Program - an all-expense paid, weeklong tour of Washington, DC and to receive a $10,000 scholarship.
In Washington state, the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) administers the program. Through the AWSL, AWSP sponsors the seven week-long High School Summer Leadership Camps for student body officers, class officers and other student leaders. A selection process is identified and implemented at each camp session, with two students being selected as finalists for the Senate Youth Program scholarships from each camp.
This is a recognition award is given to the top 5% of the senior class of each high school. Principals can download the Award for Academic Excellence certificate below.