Roanoke County Public Schools is one of only 24 school divisions nationwide selected for the Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High School Network. RoanokeFamily recently caught up with Dr. James Soltis, who became superintendent on July 1, 2026, to learn about what’s ahead this year, his advice for parents, and what makes RCPS stand out. Whether you’ve lived in the Roanoke Valley for years or are just settling in, here’s a good resource for getting to know Roanoke County Public Schools. 

Roanoke County Public Schools Goals

Dr. Soltis, what are your long-term goals for Roanoke County Public Schools?

My long-term goal for Roanoke County Public Schools is to build upon the exceptional foundation that has already been established while ensuring every student leaves our schools truly prepared for whatever path they choose in life.

Over the past eight years, Dr. Ken Nicely has led a remarkable transformation in teaching and learning by focusing on preparing students to be “Opportunity Ready.” That vision has positioned Roanoke County Public Schools as a statewide leader, and I am committed to continuing and expanding that work.

Our next step is to ensure that every student, not just some students, develops the knowledge, skills, and dispositions outlined in our Opportunity Ready framework by intentionally integrating those competencies with rigorous academic content across every classroom and every grade level.

Academically, Roanoke County Public Schools is already among the highest-performing divisions in Virginia, ranking sixth in reading and seventh in mathematics statewide. While I certainly want us to continue improving those rankings, success is about far more than test scores. My vision is that we Leave No Doubt that every student has been challenged, supported, and inspired to maximize his or her potential. Whether a graduate chooses college, military service, a skilled trade, or enters the workforce directly, every student should leave our schools with the confidence, character, knowledge, and real-world skills needed to thrive.

Ultimately, my vision is to ensure that Roanoke County Public Schools remains one of the premier school divisions in the Commonwealth, not simply because of our rankings, but because of the lives we change. I want every family to know their child will be known, challenged, supported, and prepared to succeed, and every graduate to leave our schools truly Opportunity Ready. That is how we will continue to honor our tradition of excellence while building an even brighter future for the next generation.

What Are You Most Excited About for the 2026–2027 School Year?

I have been given an opportunity that, quite honestly, I never imagined I would have. As a graduate of Glenvar High School and Roanoke County Public Schools, I never would have believed that one day I would have the privilege of serving as superintendent of one of the highest-performing school divisions in Virginia, and one that is recognized nationally for its innovation.

What excites me most is the chance to give back to the school division that gave so much to me. Roanoke County Public Schools helped shape who I am as a student, an educator, a leader, and a person. The teachers, coaches, and mentors who invested in me changed the trajectory of my life. Now I have the incredible honor of paying that investment forward by helping create the same life-changing opportunities for today’s students and for generations to come.

That is why this isn’t simply a job for me; it is a calling. It is a duty and a passion. Every decision I make will be guided by a deep sense of responsibility to the students, families, employees, and community that helped shape my own life. I want every child in Roanoke County to experience the same encouragement, high expectations, and opportunities that I was fortunate enough to receive.

I am also incredibly excited to lead a team of educators and staff members whom I would proudly put up against any school division in the country. Our teachers, principals, support staff, and administrators are among the very best in the profession. There is something special about working alongside talented people who share a common purpose, and I believe there is no limit to what we can accomplish together. There is no greater honor than leading the school division that helped shape my own life, and I am excited to serve the community that I have always been proud to call home.

Are there any new programs or initiatives launching in Roanoke County Public Schools this year?  

In early 2027, we will open the new Roanoke County Career and Technology Center.  This is a long-term project we’ve been working on for many years, and we can’t wait for our students to see it.  With the support of our School Board and the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, we’ve constructed one of the largest career and technical education (CTE) centers in the state and we’re going to provide our students some of the most advanced workforce-based instruction available.  Our students will be learning to use state-of-the-art equipment and industry standard practices – and they’ll be able to put this learning into practice through school-based enterprises, internships and student registered apprenticeships.  We’re proud to expand upon the legacy of outstanding CTE instruction at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology and with some all-new programs including HVAC, diesel engines, dental hygienist and more.  In the coming years, we hope to add even more programs in partnership with area businesses.

Research-Based Learning and Testing 

What Makes Roanoke County Public Schools a Great Place to Learn and Grow?

What makes Roanoke County Public Schools truly special is our people. Outstanding schools are not built by buildings, programs, or technology alone, they are built by caring, talented, and dedicated people who believe in children. That is what makes RCPS such an incredible place for students to learn and grow.

At Roanoke County Public Schools, we are more than a school division; we are a family. From the moment a student steps onto a school bus in the morning until they head home at the end of the day, they are surrounded by adults who genuinely care about them and are committed to their success. Whether it’s a bus driver greeting students by name, a teacher inspiring curiosity in the classroom, a cafeteria team member sharing a smile at lunch, a custodian ensuring a safe learning environment, or a coach encouraging a student after school, every employee plays an important role in helping our children thrive.

Our teachers, administrators, instructional assistants, nurses, counselors, nutrition associates, bus drivers, custodial and maintenance staff, technology professionals, office staff, and countless others all share a common purpose: ensuring every student is known, valued, challenged, and prepared for the future. That culture of care, high expectations, and unwavering commitment to students is what sets RCPS apart. 

We also believe that excellence and belonging go hand in hand. Roanoke County Public Schools is a place where every student is welcomed, every student is expected to achieve at high levels, and every student has opportunities to discover their strengths and pursue their passions. We don’t believe excellence is reserved for a select few; we believe every child has tremendous potential, and it is our responsibility to help them realize it. 

That commitment is reflected in our results. Niche ranks Roanoke County Public Schools as the #11 school division in Virginia and the top-ranked school division in the Roanoke Valley. At the end of the day, however, rankings and recognition are not what make me most proud. What makes RCPS extraordinary is the people who show up every day with a servant’s heart and a relentless commitment to children. They are the reason families choose Roanoke County Public Schools, and they are the reason our students leave our schools prepared to succeed. Our people are, and always will be, our greatest strength.

How are Roanoke County Public Schools students performing on the Virginia Standards of Learning — and what trends are you seeing?   

Roanoke County Public Schools students continue to perform at an exceptionally high level, and I could not be more proud of their accomplishments or the dedicated educators who make that success possible.

While the official results for the 2025–2026 Virginia Standards of Learning assessments have not yet been released, our preliminary data indicate that our students once again performed extremely well. Roanoke County Public Schools is currently ranked sixth in Virginia in reading and seventh in mathematics, and every school in our division is fully accredited. Those results are a reflection of years of intentional work by our teachers, administrators, support staff, students, and families.

One of the most encouraging trends we’ve seen is our sustained academic growth following the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time when many school divisions experienced significant learning loss, Roanoke County made the deliberate decision to keep students learning in person as much as was safely possible, particularly our youngest learners. We knew then, and research continues to confirm, that students learn best when they are engaged with outstanding teachers in the classroom.

That commitment made a meaningful difference. While all students were affected in some way by the pandemic, our students experienced far less disruption than many across the country and have successfully recovered from any learning gaps. Today, they are not simply catching up, they are excelling.

Our success has also been recognized nationally. Education Scorecard (a collaborative initiative involving researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth) recognized Roanoke County Public Schools as a “District on the Rise.” That recognition reflects not only our strong academic performance, but also the intentional work of our educators through initiatives such as our C-Change Framework and our Opportunity Ready vision for students.

While I am proud of our rankings and our test scores, I believe they tell only part of the story. The Virginia Standards of Learning measure important academic knowledge, but our mission extends beyond standardized assessments. We are equally committed to ensuring our students graduate as critical thinkers, effective communicators, problem solvers, collaborators, and responsible citizens who are prepared for success in college, careers, military service, and life.

Ultimately, our goal isn’t simply to have some of the highest-performing students in Virginia. Our goal is to ensure that every student, in every school, and in every classroom reaches his or her full potential. Academic excellence will always remain a priority, but our greatest measure of success will be the lives our students are prepared to lead after they leave Roanoke County Public Schools.

Advice for Roanoke County Families

What advice do you have for families whose children are starting school for the first time?

My first piece of advice is simple: enjoy this season. Allow your children to be children. The first years of school are filled with discovery, curiosity, creativity, and joy. Some of the most important learning that takes place in the early grades happens through hands-on experiences, exploration, play, conversation, and relationships, not through screens.

We continue to encourage families to be thoughtful about when and how children are introduced to smartphones, tablets, and social media. A growing body of research points to the impact excessive screen time can have on young children’s development, attention, sleep, and social-emotional well-being. That’s one of the reasons Roanoke County Public Schools is intentionally limiting technology use in our youngest grades and emphasizing rich, engaging, face-to-face learning experiences.

If I could emphasize one priority above all others, it would be this: get involved in your child’s education. Your child’s teacher and school administrators will become some of the most influential adults in his or her life. Take the time to get to know them. Introduce yourself, attend open houses, participate in conferences, ask questions, and build strong relationships with the people who will be partnering with you every day. Education is most successful when schools and families work together as one team with a shared commitment to helping every child succeed.

There are many ways for parents and families to be involved. Read with your child every day, or even better, let your child read to you. Join your school’s PTA or PTO. Attend student-led conferences, concerts, athletic events, family nights, and school celebrations. Those moments send a powerful message to your child that education matters and that you value what they are learning.

I also encourage parents to embrace the learning process, even when it includes setbacks. Every child will encounter challenges, make mistakes, and struggle with something at some point, and that’s not only okay, but it’s also an essential part of learning and a critical life skill. Growth happens when students are willing to persevere, reflect, and try again. Our teachers are exceptionally skilled at creating environments where students can take risks, learn from mistakes, build resilience, and develop confidence in their abilities.

Finally, remember that your child is joining more than a school, they are joining the Roanoke County Public Schools family. We are committed to knowing every student, supporting every family, and helping every child discover his or her unique strengths. Together, as parents, educators, and community members, we can provide an educational experience that prepares every student to become truly Opportunity Ready.

Getting to Know Dr. Soltis

What early memories from your own school days have shaped your approach to education?

School was always a place where I wanted to be. It wasn’t just because of the academics, it was because of the people. I was fortunate to have teachers throughout my elementary and secondary years who believed in me, encouraged me, and challenged me to become the best version of myself. But one person, in particular, had a profound impact on my life: my high school wrestling coach, Coach Richard Myers.

Coach Myers took me under his wing and became a father figure, a role he continues to play in my life today. From him, I learned lessons that have shaped not only my career in education but also my approach to leadership and life. He taught me the value of hard work, personal accountability, discipline, and holding both myself and others to high expectations. Just as importantly, he taught me the difference between empathy and sympathy—that we should care deeply for others, support them through challenges, and believe in their potential, but never lower expectations in ways that unintentionally limit their growth. He often reminded us that truly caring for someone means helping them succeed, not loving them into failure.

Those experiences fundamentally shaped my philosophy of education. I believe schools should be places where every student is known, valued, challenged, and supported by adults who genuinely care about their success. The relationships educators build with students can change the trajectory of a child’s life, just as they did mine.

The dedication of Coach Myers and so many remarkable teachers throughout my school years is the foundation of my unwavering belief in public education. Every day, educators have the opportunity to inspire confidence, ignite potential, and open doors that students may not even realize exist. Having experienced that firsthand, I view it as both a tremendous honor and a profound responsibility to pay that investment forward by ensuring every student has caring adults, high expectations, and opportunities to succeed. That commitment continues to guide every decision I make as an educational leader.

The 2026-2027 Roanoke Country School Schedule

Learn more about Roanoke County Public Schools at rcps.us. Read more education stories in the Education section of our site, and check out our guide to Roanoke’s best private schools.

AMANDA DANAHER is a busy mom of five and publisher and editor of RoanokeFamily Magazine. She is also a contributor to VirginiaSummerCamp.com and CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine. Amanda is passionate about encouraging and supporting other parents through honest, relatable storytelling grounded in real family life.