Rome Schools Train Leaders to Boost Student Success

School administrators in Rome, Georgia are starting the new academic year with fresh strategies to help students succeed. The district brought together principals, directors, and instructional coaches for a full-day Exemplary Leaders Institute focused entirely on teaching excellence.

The Friday training session centered on practical skills that directly impact classrooms. Leaders explored how to use student performance data to guide decisions, strengthen literacy and math instruction, and support teachers through coaching and collaborative planning.

Rome City Schools has adopted a simple but powerful mantra for the initiative: Move the Needle. The phrase captures the district's commitment to measurable progress in every school and every classroom.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Holland emphasized that strong schools start with strong leadership. By bringing administrators together to study effective teaching methods and share what works, the district creates a ripple effect that reaches students.

The institute tackled key areas including how to conduct meaningful assessments, implement continuous improvement processes, and expand leadership capacity throughout the organization. Rather than one-time training, these sessions happen throughout the year as part of an ongoing commitment to professional growth.

The Ripple Effect

When school leaders sharpen their skills, the benefits spread far beyond administrative offices. Better trained principals and instructional coaches can provide more effective support to teachers. Those teachers then deliver higher quality lessons that help students grasp difficult concepts and achieve at higher levels.

The approach recognizes that educational improvement happens through people, not programs. By investing in the adults who guide schools, Rome City Schools is building sustainable excellence that will serve students for years to come.

The district's Teaching, Leading and Learning Division coordinates these efforts, ensuring that leadership development connects directly to classroom results. Each strategy discussed during the institute ties back to creating better learning experiences for students.

The timing matters too. Holding the institute before the 2026-27 school year begins means leaders can implement new approaches from day one, giving students the full benefit of improved instructional practices.

Rome City Schools is proving that investing in leaders is investing in students.