校長(こうちょう)

校長(こうちょう) is the head of a school — used for elementary (小学校(しょうがっこう)), middle (中学校(ちゅうがっこう)), and high schools (高校(こうこう)). Not used for universities.

Common collocations

• 校長(こうちょう)先生(せんせい): principal (respectful form, used by students and parents)
• 校長(こうちょう)室(しつ): principal's office
• 副(ふく)校長(こうちょう): vice principal
• 校長(こうちょう)挨拶(あいさつ): principal's address (at ceremonies)

Related words

• 学長(がくちょう): university president
• 園長(えんちょう): kindergarten/preschool principal
• 教頭(きょうとう): vice principal (older term, still widely used)

Cultural note

The 校長(こうちょう)先生(せんせい) typically gives a speech at major school events like 入学式(にゅうがくしき) (entrance ceremony) and 卒業式(そつぎょうしき) (graduation ceremony).