Role of a high school associate principal?

For anyone familiar with high school administration, what exactly does an associate principal do? I'm considering a career in education and want to understand more about different roles in a high school setting. How is it different from a principal?

An Associate Principal is typically involved in assisting with several critical areas in a high school environment. They often play a role in a variety of administrative tasks and operate under the supervision of the Principal.

One of their key responsibilities is often discipline and behavior management. They might handle student discipline issues and strategize on new ways to promote a positive school environment. They could be closest to the students when it comes to behavior or conflict resolution and hence play a crucial role in shaping the school's discipline policies and codes of conduct.

Additionally, they may often oversee academic affairs, such as course scheduling and curriculum development. Depending on the school, the associate principal might also be involved in evaluating and coaching teachers, developing professional development opportunities, and other instructional leadership roles.

A key difference between a principal and an associate principal is the level of authority and decision-making power. As the Principal is typically the highest-ranking official at a school, they usually have more responsibilities and ultimately have final authority in school-wide decisions. They are also commonly the school's spokesperson and may have a more public-facing role with parents and the local community.

Conversely, an Associate Principal functions to support and execute the policies and vision set forth by the Principal. They are a crucial player in the administrative team, but typically do not possess the same level of autonomous decision-making.

It's also worth mentioning that the role of an Associate Principal can serve as an excellent stepping stone towards a Principal position as it provides relevant administrative experience and exposure to school leadership. It can serve as a great platform to test your aptitude and passion in a high-level school administrative role.