School district superintendents are the top executives in a school district, setting goals and making big decisions to help schools run well and support students’ success. They work with the school board and school leaders to guide and improve the district.
Median income:
$103,840 annually or $49.92 per hour.
Lifestyle:
Often includes long hours, with a mix of office work, meetings, and visits to schools. They might have a demanding schedule, balancing work with community events and often dealing with issues that arise outside regular office hours.
Exciting Parts of the Job:
Solving problems and overcoming challenges
Making a direct impact on student’s lives
Improving the overall environment and success of the school district
Challenging Parts of the Job:
Managing a wide range of issues and crises
Balancing budgets and resources effectively
Navigating complex relationships with the school board, staff, and community
Education Requirements:
A master’s or doctoral degree in education along with specific certification for superintendency.
Job Outlook
The future for school district superintendents is bright, with the profession expected to grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032.
This is perfect for you if:
You love problem-solving
You like building relationships with other people
You love making a direct impact on other people’s lives
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Wade Stanford to learn more about being a school district superintendent here!
Day in the Life
Schedule:
Typically exceeds a 40-hour work week, involving long hours, evening meetings, and weekend events.
Setting:
Mostly in-office, but may travel to visit schools and attend community events and meetings with staff, parents, and school boards. They often move between district schools and administrative offices.
Tasks:
Oversees district operations, manages budgets, sets educational standards, implements policies, and collaborates with the school board, principals, and staff to improve student outcomes. They also handle community relations and address any issues that arise within the district.
Topics:
Educational trends, policy changes, leadership strategies, best practices in school management, new teaching methods, and technological advancements.
Skills:
Proficient in budget management, data analysis, strategic planning, and policy implementation. They have strong administrative skills and expertise in curriculum development and school operations.
Tools:
A laptop, computer, and phone with a strong internet connection for communication between students, parents, staff, and other board members.
Common Characteristics:
Natural Talents (strengths):
Naturally good at building relationships, problem-solving, leadership, and communication. They are usually skilled in strategic thinking and maintaining a vision for improving educational outcomes.
Interests:
Helping others, building relationships, guiding and influencing teams, analyzing data, strategic planning, and staying updated on educational trends.
Personality:
Have social, enterprising, and investigative personality types. They are highly empathetic and communicative, natural leaders, and analytical.
Values:
Student success, educational equity, effective leadership, community involvement, strong relationships, transparency, and continuous improvement within the school district.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
How to Become a School District Superintendent
Education Requirements:
A master’s or doctoral degree in education is typically required, along with about two to three years of teaching experience and specialized certification for superintendency. However, these requirements can vary by state.
Preferred Majors
Pursuing majors in educational leadership, educational administration, curriculum and instruction, school administration, and education policy can be helpful in becoming a school district superintendent.
Specialties and Similar Career Paths
Assistant Superintendent
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Principal
Educational Consultant
School Business Administrator
Director of Special Education
Chief Academic Officer
Educational Policy Analyst
Instructional Coordinator
Educational Program Manager
Advice from Wade
Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:
Gain a diverse background of experience in education, learn from successful superintendents, and seek out mentors who can offer guidance and insights. This can be done through Zoom, visiting them, and learning what they did to become a school district superintendent.
What Wade would tell his younger self if he was just getting started:
“Take chances. Don’t wait. Be bold. Be courageous. Make somebody tell you no. Move faster than you think you need to move.”
Watch the full interview with Wade:
Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 07 August 2024.
