Volume 5, Number 3 (July-September, 2010)

This study used the qualitative research approach to explore the essential factors which defined the high performing principals in the Jamaican school system. One hundred and twenty five (125) of 999 principals from three types of public schools and six regions were identified by regional directors in consultation with education officers and chief education officers as high performing. Twenty of the principals identified and the six regional directors were interviewed for this phase of study. The analysis of data was focused on placing the factors associated with high performing principals into categories based on the consistent patterns of behaviours, characteristics and abilities which emerged during the interviews conducted. The findings were classified into nine categories: personal philosophy, personal qualities, leadership skills and behaviours, support for student growth and performance, staff development and relationship, community development and relationship, relationship with the formal structure, and the enhancement of the physical environment. FULL MANUSCRIPT AVAILABLE AT: http://cnx.org/content/m34881/latest/