Academic Office

Dr. Jennifer Blackwell, Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Jennifer Blackwell has spent her career advocating for educational equity and language justice, ensuring all students receive culturally affirming, rigorous, and relevant educational experiences. Her previous leadership as Director of Multilingual Learner Success in Richmond Public Schools yielded landmark achievements, including increasing multilingual graduation rates by 30 percent, raising language progress by 13 percent, launching innovative pathways like the Newcomers Academy and Con Ganas, and founding Richmond’s Response to Immigration Plan and Resource Hub. Her extensive experience in RPS also includes serving as Assistant Principal at the then-George Wythe High School — where she created the foundation for the district-wide RPS Mentorship Program — and as a division-level English Learner Success Specialist. She also served as Huguenot High School’s first bilingual school counselor.

A recognized national and local coalition-builder, Dr. Blackwell was named a Persona de Poder 2025, a 2025 Cambiar Catalyst National Fellow, and a recipient of VCU's Outstanding Community Partner Award for the Multilingual Learner Success Department’s internship pathway program. She excels at translating complex data into clear action, uniting diverse stakeholders, and creating sustainable, student-centered change. Now serving as Chief Academic Officer, she is excited to continue working with the Richmond Public Schools' community to lead this transformational work for all children in the city that she loves. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (with a minor in Spanish) from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Education in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.

The following departments live in the Academic Office: 

• The Academic Program and Supports Department wraps around classroom time with supportive, equity-focused programming, like RPS’ summer school programming, tutoring, and division-wide professional learning. 
• The Curriculum and Instruction Department designs and implements rigorous, standards-aligned curriculum across all grades. 
• The Data Analytics Department provides school leaders with strategic data analysis to drive quality instruction. 
• The Exceptional Education Department provides the full range of special education and related services for our students with disabilities. 
• The Multilingual Learner Success Department designs pathways and supports for multilingual learners to be successful. 
• The Postsecondary Pathways and Success Department helps students navigate the transition from high school to a thriving adulthood, whether that’s through career education or college preparatory opportunities.
• Finally, the school team supports school leaders at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels.