Frequently Asked Questions

Canada’s Outstanding Principals is a nationally recognized award and an executive leadership training program that recognizes the unique and vital contribution of principals in publicly funded schools. It is the largest program that recognizes principals in schools across Canada.

Great principals make great schools and can have a profound impact on a school’s students, teachers and on the community as a whole. They are collaborative leaders who work actively to involve all appropriate communities in school policies and decisions.

The awards program honours principals across Canada who demonstrate innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and who have done something truly remarkable in public education.

Principals are nominated by their colleagues, educators and members of the community. The nomination process opens in late August and ends at the end of October. During that time, anyone can nominate a principal from the nomination package available online.

After the nominations close, a National Selection Committee, comprised of education leaders, business leaders, and community members across Canada, shortlists the nominations to 30 recipients.

Recipients of the Canada’s Outstanding Principals program receive an exclusive five-day executive leadership training program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, where they receive opportunities for professional development and networking to further enhance their impact within their schools and communities.

The executive leadership training and Canada’s Outstanding Principals gala are held in Toronto. The executive leadership training is held at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management during the last week of February, with the awards ceremony and reception taking place during that time.

Winners and alumni are members of the National Academy of Canada’s Outstanding Principals, a learning community of outstanding principals across Canada who share professionally, interact collegially and act as mentors to new colleagues.