ABSTRACT
This chapter offers insights into the role of the principal in contemporary Catholic urban elementary schools in the United States. After a review of salient published literature, the author presents and discusses findings related to the principalship from a national sample of 398 such schools. Then, based on interviews with ten principals from across the nation, he discusses the following topics: contours of the principalship, desolations, and consolations. Finally, he offers reflections on the future of leadership in these institutions.
