Top Tier:
* School Board/Superintendent (District Level): These individuals are ultimately responsible for the policies and overall direction of the entire school district, including the high school. They are above the school's internal hierarchy.
* Principal: The highest-ranking administrator within the high school itself. They are responsible for the overall administration, budget, curriculum, and staff.
Middle Tier:
* Assistant Principals/Vice Principals: Report to the principal and handle specific areas of responsibility, such as discipline, student support services, curriculum, or athletics. They often have designated grade levels or subject areas they oversee.
* Department Heads/Chairs: Lead teachers within a specific academic department (e.g., Math, Science, English). They oversee curriculum, teacher evaluations, and departmental resources. Their level of authority varies depending on the school.
* Guidance Counselors: Support students with academic planning, college applications, and personal/social issues. While not directly in a management hierarchy, they hold significant influence over student success.
Lower Tier:
* Teachers: Responsible for instructing students in their assigned subjects.
* Support Staff: This includes a wide range of roles vital to the school's function, such as librarians, secretaries, custodians, nurses, and technology staff. They are essential but generally not in a management or supervisory role.
Students: While not part of the administrative hierarchy, students have a structured organization within the school, often involving student government, clubs, and sports teams, with varying levels of leadership and responsibility within those structures.
It's important to remember this is a general framework. Some smaller high schools may have a flatter structure with fewer administrative layers. Larger schools might have additional layers of administration and specialized roles.