<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Principal leadership in integrated Islamic schools faces the challenge of improving academic quality while integrating Islamic values into the school culture, particularly in rural schools with limited resources. This study aims to analyze the principal’s role, educational improvement strategies, leadership challenges, and integration of Islamic values at SMP IT Syaikhuna Zainuddin At Sani NW Lingkuk Dane, Semoyang Village. This study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design. Informants were purposively selected and consisted of the principal, teachers, students, and parents. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and documentation, and analyzed thematically. Data validity was examined through source and technique triangulation and member checking. The findings indicate that the principal applied participatory leadership through planning, academic supervision, teacher competency development, resource management, and strengthened community partnerships. Limited facilities, funding, technology, and human resources were addressed through collaboration, communication, resource optimization, and program prioritization. Islamic values were integrated through exemplary conduct, religious habituation, discipline, trustworthiness, responsibility, and deliberation. The novelty of this study lies in describing contextual leadership that integrates managerial, academic, and spiritual functions in addressing resource limitations in a rural integrated Islamic junior secondary school. ABSTRAK Kepemimpinan kepala sekolah di sekolah Islam terpadu menghadapi tuntutan untuk meningkatkan mutu akademik sekaligus mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai Islam dalam budaya sekolah, terutama pada sekolah pedesaan dengan keterbatasan sumber daya. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis peran kepala sekolah, strategi peningkatan pendidikan, hambatan kepemimpinan, dan integrasi nilai Islam di SMP IT Syaikhuna Zainuddin At Sani NW Lingkuk Dane Desa Semoyang. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus. Informan dipilih secara purposive dan terdiri atas kepala sekolah, guru, siswa, dan orang tua. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur, observasi, dan dokumentasi, kemudian dianalisis secara tematik. Keabsahan data diperiksa melalui triangulasi sumber dan teknik serta member checking. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kepala sekolah menerapkan kepemimpinan partisipatif melalui perencanaan, supervisi akademik, pengembangan kompetensi guru, pengelolaan sumber daya, dan penguatan kemitraan dengan masyarakat. Keterbatasan sarana, anggaran, teknologi, dan sumber daya manusia diatasi melalui kolaborasi, komunikasi, optimalisasi sumber daya, dan penetapan prioritas program. Nilai Islam diintegrasikan melalui keteladanan, pembiasaan keagamaan, kedisiplinan, amanah, tanggung jawab, dan musyawarah. Kebaruan penelitian terletak pada penggambaran kepemimpinan kontekstual yang memadukan fungsi manajerial, akademik, dan spiritual dalam menghadapi keterbatasan sumber daya di SMP IT pedesaan.]]>
