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:
Upload unofficial copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
Upload any state teaching and administrator certificates
Upload your State Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) Test Code 6990 (151 or higher qualifying score)
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.
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
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.