Swanson Middle School Principal Selection Timeline

Timeline for Selection of the Swanson Middle School Principal

July 30, 2026

Human Resources advertises the position.

July 31, 2026

A ParentSquare communication is sent to the school community with a survey to provide feedback regarding:

• The most important strengths of the school
• The biggest challenges of the school
• The most important qualities or attributes desired in a principal

July 31, 2026

A survey is sent to school staff to select representatives for the interview panel.The panel will or may be comprised of APS staff, administrators, parents and community members.

Week of Aug. 31, 2026

The chief of school support and the assistant superintendent of human resources will host informational meetings for staff and families to outline the principal selection process, including key steps and the anticipated timeline.

Week of Aug. 31, 2026

Information gathered in the survey regarding the most important strengths of the school, the biggest challenges of the school and the most important qualities or attributes desired in a principal will be shared on the school’s website.Note: Candidates who will be interviewed will receive the feedback information.

Week of Sept. 14, 2026

First-Round Interview

Screened candidates will participate in a panel interview comprised of APS staff, administrators and parents.The committee will interview candidates, and collected feedback will be forwarded to the committee conducting the final round of interviews.

Week of Sept. 21, 2026

Final-Round Interview

Executive-level staff, including the superintendent, chief of school support and/or assistant superintendent of human resources, will interview the selected finalist or finalists.

Week of Sept. 28, 2026

The superintendent will forward a recommendation to the School Board for action at a Board meeting.

Important Note

This timeline for selecting the principal may not be followed if an Arlington Public Schools sitting principal applies for a transfer and the superintendent decides to recommend that principal to the School Board for appointment or the superintendent decides to recommend that a sitting principal be appointed.