Application Process 

Application window for the Pre-Qualified Principal Pool (internal and external candidates)

November 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 

Application window for the School Year (SY) 25-26 Internship Pool (internal candidates)

November 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026 

Applications received after 1/30/26 will be considered for the SY 27-28 Internship Pool

Pre-Qualified Principal (PQP) & Principal Intern Process

• CLICK HERE to view the process

Please attach to your MCPS Careers (CLICK HERE) profile the following in PDF format: 

Certification Requirements 

• Admin II Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Administrator II Certificate  EVEN IF THE MCPS CERTIFICATION OFFICE HAS A COPY

• If you do not have Maryland State Administrator II Certificate, please upload the following to your MyCareers Profile:

  1. 1. 1. 1. Upload unofficial copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts 

           2. Upload any state teaching and administrator certificates 

           3. Upload your State Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) Test Code 6990 (151 or higher qualifying score)

           4. If you have principal experience from another state, please have your previous school district(s) complete verification of at least 27 months of effective performance as a principal by completing the Maryland State Department of Education Verification of Experience form (CLICK HERE). Please also upload your end of year performance evolutions from the last 3 years demonstrating satisfactory performance. 

           5. CLICK HERE to review MSDE Admin II Eligibility 

Letter of Interest 

• Addressed to Addressed to Ms. Kaylan Connally Chief, Talent Management Officer (do NOT email Ms. Connally directly. Instead, upload all to your MyCareers Profile)

• Specify if applying for Pre-Qualified Principal Pool and/or Principal Internship Program

Current Resume 

• Evidence of 2 years of assistant principal experience

• Include a list of 3 references in your resume. 

• The resume should not exceed two pages, and there is no required format.

Recommendation Letter 

• Must be from current principal/supervisor 

• Current principal/supervisor adminstaffing@mcpsmd.org

• If you have only been in your current position for less than six months, you may ask your former principal/supervisor to write your recommendation letter

• MCPS applicants are encouraged to have a discussion with their area director or associate superintendent that directly supervises their school. 

• The above 3 items should consist of the following information:

  • details pertaining to the impact of your leadership as outlined in the competencies 

  • information regarding the impact of your leadership  on student achievement and building staff capacity 

  • qualitative and quantitative data and concrete examples demonstrating your leadership and impact of your work

Leadership Artifact

• Upload one current artifact (as a PDF) demonstrating an authentic work product of your current leadership.

• Topics may include, but not limited to the following (improvement of teaching and learning; school culture and climate; social emotional well-being; systemic initiatives; equity and antiracism; school and office operations; student services)

• Guiding Questions- Is this work authentic, current and demonstrates your leadership? What was your goal in initiating the work and why? What was your role in the work? What qualitative or quantitative data shows that you made an impact? What did you learn and what would you do differently?

• Considerations- Keep in mind your audience and be concise with providing context and relevance of your chosen artifact. Please note that artifacts are NOT awards, emails, letters of recommendation, course completion, or an email.

Performance Task & Interview

Submitted applications will be reviewed for screening requirements. Selected applicants will continue in the hiring process and be invited to participate in a performance task and 30 minute structured interview. 

Outcomes

Possible outcomes include:

• Recommended

  • Pre-Qualified Principal Pool (PQP) only

  • Principal Internship* only

  • Pre-Qualified Principal Pool (PQP) & Principal Internship*

*Only internal Candidates are eligible to apply for principal internship

• Not Recommended

Application Checklist

Have you reviewed your certification eligibility?

• See above certification requirement section

• Only applicants who meet the above eligibility criteria will be considered 

Have you submitted the following documents?

• An updated resume that includes:

  • your current position

  • specific months and years for each position

  • name and contact information that matches your profile

  • degree(s) and certification required for the position

  • years experience as an assistant principal

• Letter of interest addresses leadership clearly aligned to the competencies

• Cover letter addressed to the Chief of Human Resources and Development, Office of Human Resources and Development, Ms. April L. Key

• 1 current artifact that showcase your educational leadership and the impact of that work (PDF files only)

• scanned copy of MSDE Certificate of Administrator I and II, or comparable out-of-state certification

Have your references been submitted?

• References must be emailed directly to AdminStaffing@mcpsmd.org by the person completing the reference letter

• At least two weeks prior to the deadline, contact your references if you have not yet received confirmation from the Office of Human Resources and Development that we have received both.