"To The National Distinguished Principals: Thank you for the wonderful work you do every day for our nation's students, teachers, and families. School leadership is so important in education. We must have great principals who lead talented organizational teams that drive improvement in student performance." 

-Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

The National Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level administrators who ensure that America's children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. The program was established in 1984 to recognize and celebrate elementary and middle-level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for the students, families, and staffs in their learning communities.

Each year, NAESP congratulates principals from across the nation in both public and private schools and schools from the United States Departments of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools for their exemplary achievements.

Starting in 2011, all National Distinguished Principals must be members of NAESP. For more information about the National Distinguished Principals program, contact your state affiliate. State Executives, click here to access application materials (you will need to login).

2012 Class of National Distinguished Principals

• Meet the 2012 class of NDPs
• The 2012 National Distinguished Principals program will be held in Washington, D.C., October 18 and 19.

2011 Class of National Distiguished Principals 

• Meet the 2011 class of NDPs.
• The 2011 National Distinguished Principals program was held in Washington, D.C., October 20 to 21. Watch this video of the program's highlights.  

2010 Class of National Distinguished Principals

• Meet the 2010 class of NDPs. 
• Read about NDPs in the news

Contact us at 800-386-2377 or by e-mail at foundation@naesp.org  to learn more about NDP collectibles available for yourself or for NDPs you know. Items include collectibles such as business card holders, paper weights, and a rocking chair.

The National Distinguished Principals program is made possible with the generous support of