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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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Washington State Principal of the Year

AWSP is a K-12 organization, and we recognize two winners, one elementary and one secondary principal, as our Washington State Principals of the Year. The elementary winner will represent Washington as our National Association of Elementary...

National Principals Month

This is not an easy time to be a principal. We've always said the job was incredibly challenging, but the most rewarding job in the world. Your leadership matters now more than ever, and every...single...day....

AWSP Mentor Program

Thank you for your interest in AWSP’s mentoring program. At AWSP, we believe strong leadership support is essential for both success and sustainability in the principalship. One of the many benefits of your AWSP membership...

Torch of Leadership Award

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...

United States Senate Youth Program 

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...

Washington Schools on the Rise

Introducing the "Washington Schools on the Rise" award by AWSL/AWSP! This award celebrates schools where students and adults collaborate to improve culture and amplify student voice. AWSP and its Foundation support these schools with resources...

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