Learn About Roanoke City Public Schools

An Exclusive Interview with Roanoke City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Verletta White

Roanoke City Public Schools has grown its Community Builders program from 55 students to more than 130 in just two years, and it's now becoming a statewide demonstration site. RoanokeFamily recently caught up with Superintendent Dr. Verletta White to learn about what's ahead this year, her advice for parents, and what makes Roanoke City schools stand out. Whether you've lived in Roanoke for years or are just getting settled, here's a good resource for getting to know the district.

Roanoke City Public Schools Goals

Dr. White, what are your long-term goals for Roanoke City Schools?

Our goal is to ensure that every student graduates from Roanoke City Public Schools with both a diploma and a resume of rich skills and experiences that will benefit them for a lifetime. 

We’re building toward that by knowing all of our students by name, need, and strength. That means focusing on literacy in every grade level and content area and securing a strong math foundation in our early and middle grades; maintaining career pathways through our workforce development and Career & Technical Education programs; and building a supportive community around every school that shows up for our students. We’re moving forward, staying focused, and working together to get there.

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

This is a big year for us. I’m excited to see our Community Builders program move from a pilot into a state-funded demonstration site. That is proof that what we build here in Roanoke can be a model for the rest of Virginia. We are opening the new Preston Park Elementary School, which allows us to now host preschool programs at all of our elementary schools. I’m also excited about the momentum in our schools, as all of our schools are fully accredited. We are seeing real, measurable growth, and that growth is a direct result of the work our students, teachers, and staff have accomplished together.

New Programs and Initiatives

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

Our Community Builders program, which supports 8th and 9th grade students, is transitioning into a state-funded demonstration site, which means the model we've proven here will now help shape work statewide. We're also continuing to expand programming at our Community Empowerment Center, which opened one year ago, because we know that when families succeed, students succeed. The Community Empowerment Center, which had 2,000 visitors its first year, provides enrollment support, a family resource room, health services like immunizations and screenings, workshops and classes for adult education and parenting support, and resources related to employment and housing.

What Makes Roanoke City Schools a great place to learn and grow?

Our teachers, principals, and staff show up every day with a commitment to meeting our students where they are and helping them grow from there. We’ve built strong partnerships with community partners, business leaders, and higher education institutions because we believe a child’s success depends on more than what happens inside a classroom. Our community consistently asks, “How can we help?” and shows up every day to support our students, families, and staff, and that is what sets Roanoke apart.

To that end, we’ve invested in our students by supporting programs like Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a college preparatory program that teaches our students the organizational, study, and critical-thinking skills they need to succeed; Community Builders, which connects students with trusted adults so they stay engaged, stay safe, and stay on track — a two-year pilot that grew from 55 students to more than 130 and is now becoming a statewide demonstration site; increased access to Advanced Placement and dual enrollment classes; and increased our focus on workforce development programs, including grow-your-own teacher pipelines.

Student Performance and Standards of Learning Trends

How are Roanoke City Schools students performing on the Virginia SOLs, and what trends are you seeing?

We are seeing real growth that comes from sustained and intentional effort. We are proud of so many of our schools for their great work. Wasena, Crystal Spring, and Grandin Court Elementary Schools are considered “Distinguished” in the state’s new School Performance and Support Framework; several of our schools, including our middle schools, exited federal identification status because of their growth. All of our schools are fully accredited. 

None of that happens by accident. It happens because our teachers used the right tools, our students put in the work, and our families stayed engaged every step of the way. Since the 2020-2021 school year, chronic absenteeism has dropped nearly 20% division-wide, and out-of-school suspension days are down 25% over the past two years. Therefore, while we still have work to do to close achievement gaps, we are trending in the right direction. 

Advice for Roanoke Families of New Students

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

Give your child the time, space, and a place to learn, and to trust your teachers as partners here to support your family. Talk to your child about school every day and read together to build a love of reading. When you need support, please reach out because we are here to support your family. We have great students, loving teachers and staff, and a supportive school community. 

Getting to Know Dr. White

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

I have many stories of my teachers who saw something in me before I saw it in myself, who believed in me, pushed me, and never let me settle for less than my best. Thirty-five years into this work, that memory is still what grounds everything I do. My leadership is about service, and service starts with remembering what it felt like to be seen, heard, and valued. That’s what I want for every student, every day. 

The 2026-2027 Roanoke City School Schedule

Where to Go Next

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