Overview Of Position
Seattle Public Schools offers the Principal Intern Leadership Academy to provide specific leadership training opportunities for qualified employees working toward a Washington State Principal's credential or Program Administrator certification.
Acceptance into this Program is contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of the application. Applicants who are admitted to the Principal Intern Leadership Academy may then attend the Academy training sessions throughout the school year and will receive assistance with assignment to a principal supervisor for their internship.
Essential Functions
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRINCIPAL/ADMINISTRATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
• Has enrolled in a Washington State college or university program that qualifies for application into our state-awarded release time program.
• Has successfully completed significant leadership roles in current assignment at the school and/or District level.
• If you are a Non-SPS employee, interested in interning in SPS, you must have your University program complete the SPS Standard Affiliation Agreement and submit along with the application for consideration. Submit a request for this agreement form to
• The Information Packet contents must be completed and submitted to May 31, 2026.
Note: District signatures are required for completion. It is essential to plan accordingly. (Due to limited resources and intent of the Leadership Grant, academic deans, house administrators, etc., will not be approved by Seattle Public Schools for such a grant.)
CONDITIONS/DISCLAIMERS:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. District employees are not authorized to make promises of employment for a particular period of time, or promises of a particular level of compensation or benefits to job applicants for certified or classified positions, and that any such agreement must be in writing and signed by the Superintendent. Any verbal or written statements to that effect by District employees other than the Superintendent are null and void.
Additionally, nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign.
EDUCATION:
Typical Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Education or related
PREFERRED:
Masters degree in Education
YEARS OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Three (3) years teaching experience
PREFERRED:
Five (5) years teaching experience
CERTIFICATES & LICENSES:
Valid Washington teacher's certificate
PREFERRED:
Completion of at least 15 graduate hours in an administrative certification program.
CLEARANCES:
Fingerprint and background check
Supplemental Information
Supervising Principal Qualifications:
To ensure that a Supervising Principal is equipped to provide a high-quality experience for their intern, we require that they have a minimum level of experience and expertise in their roles. For a principal to be eligible to supervise an Intern they must meet the following conditions.
• Have a minimum of three years of experience as a principal.
• Received a score of “proficient” or higher in all evaluative criteria in their most recent evaluation.
• Received approval from Seattle Public Schools to have an intern.
Please note that principals are limited to taking one Principal Intern per year (unless explicitly approved by their Reginal Executive Director of Schools) because of the attention and demands of mentoring an Intern.
Process And Timeline Requirements For Internship:
• The Information Packet contents must be completed and submitted to
• If you are a Non-SPS employee, interested in interning in SPS, you must have your University program complete the SPS Standard Affiliation Agreement and submit along with this application for consideration. Submit a request for this agreement form to
• Principal Intern Candidate must agree to meet all intern expectations. (See page 5)
• Signature from the Supervising Principal and Regional Executive Director acknowledging his/her commitment to supervise Principal Intern Candidate’s internship.
PRINCIPAL INTERN PROGRAM
Program Process Due Dates - May 31, 2026 - It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all information submitted electronically to the district.
Application Packet submitted to School Leadership Coaches will be screened for:
• Completion of pages 3 and 4 in this application (applicant may use additional
pages/space as needed)
• Your signatures on pages 3 and 5.
• Signed sponsorship agreement from building principal on page 6.
• Minimum of two years' experience in Seattle Public Schools; exceptions to this
condition must be approved by the district HR department.
• For Non-SPS employees, University signed Standard Affiliation agreement.
This position is not eligible for benefits
Salary Schedule
Please find the salary schedule associated with this role and others like it
01
Briefly list the leadership roles you have assumed in the last two years (school and District). Please include the length and associated tangible outcomes for the role (e.g. led English department for three years: developed common assessments, saw increase in passing rates on state exams from 68% to 83%).
02
List the leadership skills you want to prioritize developing during your internship.
03
Briefly share your interest and motivation for becoming a principal.
04
ACKNOLWEDGEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS * Maintain strict confidentiality. * Complete 540 hours of internship required by Seattle Public Schools under the direction of a supervising administrator. * Intern with a supervising principal who has at least 3 years' experience as a principal. * Attend the required District meetings to confirm the expectations and roles of a district Principal Intern. * Attend directed portions of District Leadership Team meetings and other designated staff development opportunities. * Attend all the required classes/workshops/meetings as a part of the Principal Intern Leadership Academy--dates TBD (we recognize interns may miss some of these because of work/personal commitments). * Fulfill all the duties and assignments designated by your supervising principal and the directors of the Seattle Public Schools Principal Intern Program. * Work cooperatively and supportively as a member of administrative teams. All Interns are expected to apply for the State internship grant for release time. If the State grant is not available or not awarded to the intern, release time for the internship is the responsibility of the intern and his/her sponsoring principal and school. Participation in the Seattle Public Schools Principal Intern Program may be terminated if criteria or expectations are not fulfilled. Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the expectations and requirements of the Principal Intern Program. Please note completed applications do not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by June 26, 2026. A copy of these expectations and requirements should be kept for the Intern's records.
• Yes
• No
Required Question
