The role of an elementary school principal is diverse, challenging, and highly specialized in both technical and interpersonal skills. The principal either makes the school an exciting, vibrant learning center, or a stagnant, regimented building; he or she is the measure of achievement or the cause of failure. The selection of this leader should be done with care. To examine the job requirements and selection processes of elementary school principals and assistant principals in selected public and private schools in the Acadiana region of southwest Louisiana, interviews were conducted with the personnel directors, board presidents, and school heads of six public school systems, three parochial schools, and one independent school. The results indicated that the requirements and selection processes for elementary administrators in the area were generally similar. Strikingly, the information gathered revealed that most elementary principals were chosen on the very subjective criteria of the personal interview conducted by the selection committee. Once the basic requirements were met, the applicant simply had to perform well in the interview; little attention was the paid to differences in applicants' educational background or experience. Appendices contain the job requirement and selection process survey, administrator job decriptions, administrator application forms, and interviews forms. (13 references) (KM)