* Principal: In most US schools, the principal is the head administrator of a single school. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations, curriculum implementation, staff management, student discipline, and overall school climate.
* School Director: This title can have several meanings:
* Larger schools or complexes: In some large schools or school complexes (multiple schools under one umbrella), a "director" might oversee multiple principals. They would have a more strategic and less hands-on role, focusing on long-term planning, resource allocation, and overall school performance across the complex.
* Specific programs or departments: A "school director" might manage a specific program within a school, such as a special education program or a vocational program. They wouldn't have the overall authority of a principal but would manage that specific area.
* Private schools: Private schools may use "director" as a synonym for "principal" or head of school, especially in independent or charter schools.
In short, a principal typically manages a single school directly, while a school director might manage multiple schools, a specific program within a school, or even be a synonym for principal depending on the context. The key difference lies in the scope of responsibility and level of authority. The best way to understand the difference in a specific case is to look at the organizational chart of the school or school system in question.