What the principal checks
A principal's guide published in 2026 describes lists passing from teachers to the principal and then the counselor, with the principal checking how learning plans, English learners, gender and academic levels are spread, plus past conflicts and separations. District policies say the same in fewer words: teachers recommend, specialists review, and the principal gathers the input and makes the final decision. The sources are listed below with the date they were read. A good summary answers those checks before they are asked:
- Is every class within its cap, and are the sizes even?
- Does each class have a fair share of girls and boys, and of each level?
- Are behaviour and support needs spread, so no teacher has most of them?
- Is every agreed separation honoured, and every sibling rule kept?
- How many students have a friend, and why do the others not?
- Does each new class mix students from every current class?
Example summary for the sample grade
This is the balance table the class builder prints for its sample grade of 60 invented students in three classes. Bands are counts of students in band 1, 2, 3 and 4.
| Class | Students | Girls, boys | Reading 1 to 4 | Math 1 to 4 | Behaviour | EL | Support | Friend met |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A, Ms Lindqvist | 20 of 21 | 10, 9 | 3 / 6 / 7 / 4 | 4 / 7 / 3 / 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 19 of 19 |
| 4B, Mr Osei | 20 of 21 | 10, 9 | 2 / 6 / 8 / 4 | 3 / 6 / 4 / 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 16 of 16 |
| 4C, Ms Varga | 20 of 21 | 10, 10 | 3 / 6 / 9 / 2 | 4 / 6 / 4 / 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 19 of 19 |
Under the table, the rules and the mix:
- Keep-apart pairs kept apart: 8 of 8. Twins kept together: 1 of 1.
- Friend request met for 54 of 54 students who asked, first choice for 33. Requests not met: 0.
- 4A: 7 from 3A, 6 from 3B, 7 from 3C.
- 4B: 8 from 3A, 6 from 3B, 6 from 3C.
- 4C: 5 from 3A, 8 from 3B, 7 from 3C.
Read it the way the principal will. Every class is within one of 20 and within one of an even split of girls and boys. Each has two behaviour flags. No class draws fewer than five students from any current class. Nothing needs explaining, which is the point: a summary that needs no questions is a list that is ready for review by the teachers.
Common mistakes
- Sending the lists without the numbers. A principal reading names alone has to count by hand.
- Reporting averages only. An average reading band hides a class with all the band 1 and band 4 readers. Show the counts per band.
- Leaving out what was not met. The exceptions are what a principal is asked about by families. Attach the requests not met sheet.
- Printing the summary before the last hand change. Print it from the final lists, on the day they are signed.