Turning around a low-performing school is one of the most challenging but rewarding tasks in education. I have spent over 20 years leading schools and districts, and one thing I have learned is that transformation is possible when leaders focus on clear priorities, support their staff, and put students at the center of every decision. The work is not easy, but when done thoughtfully, it can change the trajectory of a school and the lives of the students it serves.
Understanding the Challenges
Low-performing schools often face multiple challenges at once. These may include gaps in academic achievement, limited resources, high staff turnover, and low student engagement. Leaders stepping into these environments must first understand the context and the root causes of underperformance. This requires honest conversations with staff, families, and students to gather insights and build trust. Without a clear understanding of the challenges, any effort to improve will be unfocused and temporary.
Setting a Clear Vision
One of the first steps in turning a school around is setting a clear vision. Staff, students, and families need to know what success looks like and how it will be achieved. A clear vision provides direction and motivates everyone to work toward common goals. In my experience, a strong vision must be both ambitious and practical. It should set high expectations for student learning while providing the support and resources needed to achieve them. When a school community shares a vision for excellence, it creates energy and commitment that drives change.
Building a Culture of High Expectations
Culture is at the heart of school turnaround. Without a culture that values learning, accountability, and collaboration, even the best plans can fail. Creating a culture of high expectations means setting standards for students and staff and holding everyone accountable for results. It also means celebrating successes along the way and recognizing growth. During my time leading turnaround schools, I emphasized building relationships with teachers, staff, and students. When people feel supported and trusted, they are more willing to embrace change and push themselves to improve.
Providing Targeted Support
Turning around a school requires targeted support for both teachers and students. Professional development should focus on the areas that will have the greatest impact on student outcomes. For teachers, this may include coaching, modeling effective instruction, and providing resources that align with curriculum goals. For students, targeted interventions, tutoring, and enrichment programs can help close achievement gaps. In New Hanover County Schools, we implemented a literacy program that placed facilitators in every elementary school, providing resources and coaching to improve reading proficiency. By focusing on teacher support and student needs, we were able to move proficiency rates significantly higher.
Using Data to Drive Decisions
Data is a critical tool in school turnaround efforts. Leaders must collect and analyze data to understand where students are struggling and what strategies are most effective. Data helps guide decisions about instruction, interventions, and resource allocation. However, data alone is not enough. It must be combined with professional judgment, teacher input, and an understanding of the school context. When used correctly, data empowers leaders to make informed decisions that improve student outcomes and keep improvement efforts on track.
Developing Leadership Capacity
Sustainable turnaround requires more than just a strong principal or superintendent. It requires developing leadership capacity throughout the school. Assistant principals, teacher leaders, and department heads must be equipped to lead improvement initiatives in their areas. Mentoring and coaching emerging leaders ensures that effective practices continue even as staff change. In my experience, investing in leadership development is one of the most important steps in creating lasting improvement.
Engaging Families and Communities
Families and communities are essential partners in school turnaround. Engaging them in the process helps build trust and support for changes that are being implemented. Open communication, regular updates on progress, and opportunities for families to be involved create a sense of shared responsibility for student success. In districts I have led, partnerships with community organizations, local businesses, and parents have amplified the impact of turnaround efforts and provided additional resources for students and teachers.
Celebrating Success and Sustaining Momentum
Turning around a low-performing school is a long journey, and it is important to celebrate successes along the way. Recognizing progress motivates staff and students and reinforces the behaviors that lead to improvement. At the same time, leaders must plan for sustainability. Systems, practices, and expectations must be embedded into the culture so that improvements are maintained over time. When these foundations are in place, schools can move from struggling to thriving and continue to grow year after year.
The Reward of Transformation
The most rewarding part of turning a school around is seeing students succeed. Watching a student who struggled to read become proficient, seeing teachers embrace new instructional practices, and witnessing the pride of a school community as they achieve their goals reminds me why this work matters. Transformation is possible, and it begins with leaders who are committed to doing the hard work, supporting their staff, and putting students first.
Low-performing schools can thrive when leaders have a roadmap for success, a clear vision, and the courage to make difficult decisions. With focus, persistence, and collaboration, any school has the potential to achieve excellence and provide every student with the opportunities they deserve.