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Supporting School Leaders From Aspiring to Retiring With Advocacy, Access, and Assistance.

At AWSP, we know that strong, inspired school leadership lays the foundation for every student’s success. We exist to support principals (this means APs, too) and the principalship in the education of each and every student, and we’ve been doing that since 1972. We help grow, support, sustain, and protect our leaders.

We partner with you through every phase — building your professional network, equipping you with leading-edge tools and frameworks, and offering real-time support when you need it most. Whether you’re designing a culture of continual improvement, leading a data-informed strategic plan, or mentoring the next generation of leaders — our goal is to remove the obstacles so you can focus on what matters: strong schools and thriving students.

Together, we’re not just managing schools; we’re shaping the future of education in Washington.

Strong leaders. Strong schools. Strong students.

Newly Launched: AWSP Leadership Networks!

Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. These networks are designed to bring school leaders together in collaborative, supportive, and action-focused communities.  Find yours now.

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Supporting School Leaders

From the aspiring principals just thinking about taking their first step, to the new assistant principal who’s just navigating their first school, to the veteran principal planning toward retirement, we’re here for the full journey. Whether through the AWSP Leadership Framework, the School Leader Paradigm, or any of our resources, professional learning, and membership benefits, we speak the language of school leadership. And we're more than just principal leadership – make sure you learn about all the ways our foundation supports you, your staff, and your students. 

The AWSP Leadership Framework is the only leadership framework in the state on which principals and assistant principals are evaluated. Designed to promote the growth of the school leader in areas most likely to result in increased student achievement, it directly aligns with Washington state evaluation criteria, rules, and regulations.  

The Paradigm is a guide for ongoing self-reflection and is a non-evaluative companion resource. It addresses the intelligence of the leader (personal, social, and systems) with specific attention to leadership attributes such as empathy, patience, creativity, etc. The Paradigm then moves leaders into reflecting on their ability to navigate the various contexts in which they lead (individual, school, community, and political). All of this learning, self-assessment, and personal reflection is continuous in a cycle of inquiry. It’s all about a leader’s ability to reflect on their own growth and learning as a leader and the impact of that growth on the school as a whole through a lens of culture, systems, and learning. Learn more about the Paradigm, or get training for your whole team.

We often say that the smartest person in the room is the room itself. That’s why our Leadership Networks are designed to bring school leaders together in collaborative, supportive, and action-focused communities. Our new leadership networks are a free member benefit

The Learning Lab is your one-stop shop for your professional learning needs. We offer webinars, three virtual forums per year, on-demand courses, and virtual workshops, along with all the necessary tools and resources to support them. Need Leadership or Equity Clock Hours? We’ve got you covered – visit the Learning Lab today to start learning and earning. 

We don’t just serve our leaders through AWSP, but also through our philanthropic foundation, the Washington State Principals’ Education Foundation. Each organization exists to support schools and students. The Association of Washington Student Leaders works with young people and adults to empower students to lead and make positive change within their schools, communities, and themselves. Our Cispus Learning Center offers place-based, hands-on learning to support outdoor education and foster leadership development. Outdoor Schools Washington (OSWA) makes possible overnight outdoor education experiences for every child in Washington, so they may create relationships with others and connections with the natural world through curiosity, exploration, and science.

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Member Benefits & Resources

AWSP membership is packed full of resources, tools, advocacy, communications, and direct member support. Whether you need tools and templates to help you with your evaluation, want to stay up to date on the latest news and developments in education policy, or just need some professional or legal advice, our team is here for you.

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Criterion Three: Planning with Data

Criterion three focuses on leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of a data-driven plan for increasing student achievement, including the use of multiple student data elements. Data includes both quantitative and qualitative information. Effective leaders...

Criterion Two: Ensuring School Safety

An effective leader supports the community (both in and out of school) to develop a more nuanced understanding of what it means to be safe. Physical, emotional, and intellectual safety are critical and necessary conditions...

Communications Resources

Explore AWSP’s collection of communications tools Offering key resources and links to support school leaders in strengthening engagement, enhancing communication, and sharing information effectively. These tools are designed to help you stay connected and lead...

Supporting Immigrant and Undocumented Students

AWSP is committed to fostering inclusive, equitable, and supportive environments for all students, including immigrant and undocumented learners. Schools are a vital source of stability and opportunity for these students, and we must ensure they...

Supporting Inclusionary Practices

AWSP is proud to be one of many organizations involved with the IPPDP cadre as an external partner navigating the implementation of better inclusionary practices for Washington state educators; our focus being, of course, YOU,...

Legal Support

All AWSP member types are eligible for free professional advice from AWSP executive staff on employment-related issues. Our seasoned staff can help you navigate a thorny issue or offer a helpful second opinion. Our services...

Powered by Principals

Many of our staff were experienced principals themselves, and most of us have experience in the PK-12 system. Collectively, our staff has over 250 years of experience working in schools.Â