Paths to the Top Job

State of the Superintendency

The most common steppingstone to the superintendency is a central-office administrative post, slightly exceeding a middle school/high school principalship.

The career paths do not differ based on the experience levels among current superintendents, according to a recent survey of 471 conducted in New York state. Size of the school district had a significant impact, with superintendents in rural districts much more likely to bypass a central-office post.