The Connecticut Association of Schools and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) annually sponsor the Elementary Principal of the Year Award (also known as the National Distinguished Principal Award). This award is designed to recognize outstanding elementary school principals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a passion for educational excellence, a selfless commitment to their students and staff and ongoing service to their communities.

Nominations are submitted to CAS and reviewed by a selection committee consisting of active and retired school administrators. Two to three finalists are identified and asked to complete an award application and submit a portfolio. The selection committee will then choose the state winner after evaluating the finalists’ applications/portfolios and visiting their respective schools. The winner will be recognized locally by CAS and nationally by NAESP.

All nominees must:

• be a member of CAS and NAESP at the time of the nomination and maintain those memberships through the end of the state and national award ceremonies (Fall 2025). NOTE: In order to be eligible for national recognition, the nominee must have been a member of NAESP for at least one year as of May 2025.
• have been an active principal for at least five years (NOTE: Only those years served as a building principal may count toward the necessary five).
• remain in active service in a position of school leadership during the year in which he or she serves as the Elementary Principal of the Year and/or National Distinguished Principal (the 2025-2026 school year).
• show a strong commitment to the principalship through active membership in professional associations.

The selected principal must:

• be an active principal of a school in which a commitment to excellence is clearly evident through programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, and through firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
• be respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large.
• assume an active role in the community and be a recognized leader in civic, religious, or humanitarian activities.
• show strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students.
• maintain an orderly, purposeful learning environment.
• have positively impacted curriculum, staff morale, community support, student interest, and the learning environment.
• show strong educational leadership leading to increased or consistently high levels of student achievement as demonstrated on the state-wide assessment instrument.
• provide creative leadership to inspire and motivate others to achieve and contribute positively to the school environment.
• demonstrate service and/or achievements above and beyond what is expected in the usual school program.
• be a force for positive change.