NAESP to Honor Top Principals During 2024 National Principals Month

Alexandria, VA—September 23, 2024—The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) recognizes 37 exemplary elementary and middle-level principals from across the nation and abroad as the 2024 class of NAESP National Distinguished Principals (NDPs). This year, we’re recognizing:

• 1 pre-K-K principal;
• 29 elementary school principals;
• 3 middle-level principals;
• 2 K-8 principals;
• 1 administrator representing the Department of Overseas Schools, and
• 1 administrator representing the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity.

The pre-K-8 principals will travel to the nation’s capital from Oct. 10-11, to participate in two days of events that culminate in an awards banquet to honor their accomplishments. The program will be held at The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

“In the face of unforeseen challenges, school principals have demonstrated remarkable adaptability and creativity, finding successful solutions to meet the evolving needs of students and staff,” said NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “The 2024 NAESP NDPs are no exception. They have proven to be resilient, innovative leaders who have distinguished themselves as problem-solvers who put students and staff first. Congratulations to the 2024 class of NAESP NDPs.” 

Since 1984, the NDP program has recognized public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities and has given them the opportunity to share best practices with each other. NAESP state affiliates, as well as the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, selected these 37 principal honorees, who join 2,327 principals before them who also call themselves NAESP NDPs.

It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because it is National Principals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of school principals toward the success of the nation’s students and encourage awareness of their significance.

Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations. NOTE: Access a list of the 2024 NDPs and their biographical information at naesp.org/ndp. To request an interview with the honored principals, contact Kaylen Tucker at [email protected] or 703-518-6257.