<![CDATA[This study examines the role of principal leadership in improving the performance of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) teachers at SMA Negeri 1 Medan, one of the leading public senior high schools in North Sumatra. The study employed a qualitative field research approach with descriptive analysis. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and analyzed to identify patterns of leadership practices and their contribution to teacher performance. The findings indicate that the principal implements transformational leadership through transparent communication, continuous academic supervision, facilitation of professional development, and motivational support. These leadership practices contribute to improvements in teachers’ lesson planning, instructional strategies, classroom engagement, and student learning achievement in PAI. The study also highlights the contextual significance of examining PAI teacher performance in a high-achieving public school, an area that has received less attention than Islamic boarding schools and private madrasah settings. The study concludes that collaborative, visionary, and supportive principal leadership plays an important role in strengthening PAI teacher professionalism and performance. The findings imply that effective school leadership should integrate supervision, professional development, communication, and motivation as complementary strategies for improving the quality of PAI instruction.]]>
