Principal vs. Administrator: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 20, 2023
Principal vs. Administrator: A "Principal" specifically leads a school, while an "Administrator" manages or oversees operations across various fields.
Key Differences
A "Principal" typically refers to the head of a school or educational institution. In this context, the role emphasizes academic leadership and student welfare. An "Administrator," on the other hand, is a general term for someone who manages or oversees certain operations, which can be in education, business, or other fields.
While every "Principal" can be an "Administrator" given their managerial responsibilities in schools, not every "Administrator" is a "Principal." This is because the term "Administrator" spans a broader range of roles and sectors beyond just education.
A school "Principal" often interacts directly with students, parents, and teachers, guiding educational policies and ensuring a conducive learning environment. An "Administrator," depending on the context, may not have such direct interactions and might focus more on system, procedure, or resource management.
In a school setting, a "Principal" holds a more specific role with clearly defined duties revolving around education. "Administrators" in schools, such as superintendents or district officials, might have a wider remit, overseeing multiple schools or particular departments.
Outside the educational sector, the word "Administrator" takes on broader meanings. For instance, in business, an "Administrator" might manage IT systems, human resources, or finances. In contrast, the term "Principal" outside of education often refers to a person of importance or a primary participant in a particular context.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Sector
Education
Various (education, business, healthcare, etc.)
Role Specificity
Specific to head of school or institution
Broad term for overseeing operations
Interaction
Often with students, parents, teachers
Varies; can be system or resource-focused
Scope
School-centric
Can oversee departments, multiple institutions, or systems
Usage outside Education
Refers to primary participants or people of importance in other sectors
General management in various fields
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Principal and Administrator Definitions
Principal
The head or leader of a school.
Mrs. Johnson is the new Principal of our high school.
Administrator
An official in a government or organizational hierarchy.
She worked as an Administrator in the local council.
Principal
A sum of money lent or invested.
The principal amount does not include the interest.
Administrator
A person appointed to manage an estate or property.
An Administrator was assigned to handle the deceased's assets.
Principal
A person who plays a leading role in an organization or activity.
She was the principal performer at the event.
Administrator
A person overseeing specific programs or departments.
He's the Administrator of the arts and culture program.
Principal
Representing originality or primary importance.
The principal concern is the safety of the residents.
Administrator
A person in charge of a business's computer systems.
The IT Administrator resolved the technical glitch.
Principal
First or highest in rank or importance.
Administrator
One who administers, especially one who works as a manager in a business, government agency, or school.
Principal
Of, relating to, or being financial principal, or a principal in a financial transaction.
Administrator
(Law) One appointed to administer an estate.
Principal
One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school, middle school, or high school.
Administrator
One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager
Principal
A main participant in a situation, especially a financial transaction.
Administrator
(legal) A person who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority
Principal
A person having a leading or starring role in a performance, such as the first player in a section of an orchestra.
Administrator
(computing) One who is responsible for software installation, management, information and maintenance of a computer or network
Principal
An amount of capital originally borrowed or invested, as opposed to the interest paid or accruing on it.
Administrator
One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager.
Principal
The most significant part of an estate, as opposed to minor or incidental components.
Administrator
A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority.
Principal
The person on behalf of whom an agent acts.
Administrator
Someone who administers a business
Principal
The person having prime responsibility for an obligation as distinguished from one who acts as surety or as an endorser.
Administrator
The party appointed by a probate court to distribute the estate of someone who dies without a will or without naming an executor
Principal
The main actor in the perpetration of a crime.
Administrator
Someone who manages a government agency or department
Principal
(Architecture) Either of a pair of inclined timbers forming the sides of a triangular truss for a pitched roof.
Administrator
A person responsible for managing or overseeing operations.
He was hired as the new Administrator of the healthcare facility.
Principal
Primary; most important; first level in importance.
Smith is the principal architect of this design.
The principal cause of the failure was poor planning.
Principal
Of or relating to a prince; princely.
Principal
(mathematics) Chosen or assumed among a branch of possible values of a multi-valued function so that the function is single-valued.
Two is the principal square root of 4. Both −2 and +2 are square roots of 4.
Principal
The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.
A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.
Principal
The chief administrator of a school.
Principal
The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.
Principal
(legal) A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.
When an attorney represents a client, the client is the principal who permits the attorney, the client′s agent, to act on the client′s behalf.
My principal sells metal shims.
Principal
(legal) The primary participant in a crime.
Principal
(North America) A partner or owner of a business.
Principal
(music) A diapason, a type of organ stop on a pipe organ.
Principal
The construction that gives shape and strength to a roof, generally a truss of timber or iron; or, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.
Principal
The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.
Principal
One of the turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and centre of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned
Principal
(obsolete) An essential point or rule; a principle.
Principal
A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.
Principal
(computing) A security principal.
Principal
Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case.
Wisdom is the principal thing.
Principal
Of or pertaining to a prince; princely.
Principal
A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; - distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.
Principal
The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, - as distinguished from an accessory.
Principal
A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous.
Principal
The original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
Principal
The educator who has executive authority for a school;
She sent unruly pupils to see the principal
Principal
An actor who plays a principal role
Principal
Capital as contrasted with the income derived from it
Principal
The major party to a financial transaction at a stock exchange; buys and sells for his own account
Principal
Most important element;
The chief aim of living
The main doors were of solid glass
The principal rivers of America
The principal example
Policemen were primary targets
Principal
A chief or main participant in a situation.
He was the principal reason we won the game.
FAQs
Are "Principal" and "Administrator" interchangeable terms?
While a Principal is an Administrator in the educational context, not every Administrator is a Principal. Their usage depends on context.
Is an IT Administrator the same as a school Principal?
No, an IT Administrator manages computer systems, while a school Principal leads an educational institution.
Can a Principal be considered an Administrator?
Yes, in the context of schools, a Principal manages and oversees operations, making them an Administrator.
How does a Principal differ from a school superintendent?
While both are Administrators, a Principal leads a specific school, whereas a superintendent oversees multiple schools in a district.
Are the roles of Principal and Administrator in schools hierarchical?
It can be. In larger educational systems, Principals might report to higher-level Administrators like district officials.
Can "Principal" refer to primary participants in non-educational contexts?
Yes, for instance, in a business deal, the main parties involved can be called "Principals."
Do Administrators only work in schools?
No, Administrators work across various sectors, managing and overseeing operations, systems, or resources.
Can "Principal" denote priority or importance?
Yes, it can refer to someone or something of primary importance or relevance.
Can "Principal" refer to financial terms?
Yes, "Principal" can denote the main amount of money lent or invested, excluding interest.
Do all educational institutions have Principals?
Most have a leading figure, but the title may vary, such as "Dean" for colleges or "Headmaster" for some schools.
How are Principals and Administrators appointed?
Procedures vary, but often involve interviews, assessments, and evaluations of qualifications and experience.
Can "Administrator" refer to someone managing an estate?
Yes, in legal terms, an Administrator can manage a deceased person's estate if there's no will.
Does a Principal directly interact with students?
Typically, yes. Principals interact with students, parents, and staff to ensure a conducive learning environment.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
