1.
vice-principal; deputy head teacher
A school administrator who assists the 校長 (principal) and carries out duties delegated by the principal. The position was formally established in Japanese public schools by a 2007 revision of the School Education Act, sitting between the principal and the older 教頭 rank.
副校長に就任する。
To take up the post of vice-principal.
副校長が全校集会であいさつをした。
The vice-principal gave an address at the all-school assembly.
校長不在のときは副校長が学校を代表する。
When the principal is absent, the vice-principal represents the school.
Formed with the prefix 副- ('vice-; deputy') attached to 校長 ('school principal'). The position was added to the standard hierarchy of Japanese public schools by the 2007 revision of the 学校教育法, creating a formal deputy layer above the longstanding 教頭 rank.
USAGE:
- Used in elementary, middle, and high schools, including both public and private institutions.
- In everyday school contexts, students and parents usually encounter the 副校長 when the 校長 is unavailable for ceremonies, meetings, or announcements.
- Some schools have a 副校長 but no 教頭; others have both; the exact staffing varies by school size and board policy.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 副校長に任命する: to appoint as vice-principal
- 副校長先生: (addressing) the vice-principal teacher
- 副校長室: vice-principal's office
- 副校長を務める: to serve as vice-principal
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 校長: school principal — the head of the school, whom the 副校長 supports.
- 教頭: head teacher — the older deputy-rank title, still widely used; typically ranks below 副校長 when both positions exist.
- 学長: university president — equivalent head position at a university; does not use the 校 element.
- 園長: head of a kindergarten or nursery — equivalent for preschool institutions.