Vertical Team Very Influential Principal (V.I.P.) is an annual award honoring campus leaders who foster a strong culture of belonging and growth at their schools. Each year, School Leadership Executive Directors select one principal from their respective Vertical Teams, and work with the Employee Experience team to celebrate their culture champion.

School Leadership Executive Directors incorporate these following guidelines in the selection of the Vertical Team V.I.P. whose campus exemplifies the vertical team culture:

• Influences positive culture on campus and within vertical team
• Cultivates leaders at all levels
• Retains employees across all campus roles
• Implements unique, strategic actions or activities focused on students’ personal growth and wellbeing
• Collaborates with, cheers for, and/or counsels colleagues

Each year, approximately 20 Dallas ISD principals are awarded Master Principal designation. These designations are awarded annually to top Dallas ISD principals in three categories: elementary schools, secondary schools, and choice schools.

The official criteria are based on years of service as a Dallas ISD principal, individual performance, campus performance, and school accountability. In addition to a stipend award, Master Principals are recognized at an annual Master Principal Recognition event.

In 2023-2024, the Master Principal selection criteria was adjusted to place additional emphasis on student growth and account for differences in school demographics.