Former HCS superintendent Dr. Jeffery O. Smith is named Virginia Secretary of Education

Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, former superintendent of Hampton City Schools, has been named Virginia Secretary of Education by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger. He brings more than 32 years of experience in public education to the role, along with a proven record of leadership in K–12 education, workforce development, and community engagement.

 

Dr. Smith served as superintendent of Hampton City Schools from 2015 to 2023, leading the division to its highest levels of academic achievement in decades. For the first time in division history, all 32 schools and centers achieved full accreditation. During his tenure, the on-time graduation rate increased from 88 percent for the Class of 2015 to 97.64 percent for the Class of 2022, while the dropout rate decreased from 5.1 percent to 0.62 percent. The division also expanded dual enrollment opportunities through a strengthened partnership with Virginia Peninsula Community College, with students earning more than 25,000 college credits since 2015.

 

Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, Hampton City Schools transformed its four high schools through the Academies of Hampton, expanding career pathways from 18 to 44 and moving from a “school within a school” academy model to one in which all high school students now participate in an academy that is aligned with high-demand, high-wage careers. This work earned Hampton the distinction of being the first and only Ford Next Generation Learning Community in the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with state and national recognition as a model for innovative, future-focused learning.

Since 2023, Dr. Smith has served as chief executive officer of the Virginia Air and Space Science Center in Hampton, where he has continued to advance educational access, STEM engagement, and community partnerships.

 

Dr. Smith’s contributions to public education have been widely recognized. He was named the 2020 Virginia Superintendent of the Year and was a finalist for the AASA, The School Superintendents Association, National Superintendent of the Year Award. His additional honors include the Mary Peake Award for Excellence in Education Equity and the Peninsula Humanitarian Award.

 

Hampton City Schools Superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes praised the appointment, stating, “Dr. Smith has been, and continues to be, a trusted mentor to me, and his leadership, dedication to students, and commitment to equity and excellence have left a lasting impact on Hampton City Schools. His depth of experience and student-centered approach will serve the Commonwealth well as Virginia’s Secretary of Education.”

 

As Secretary of Education, Dr. Smith will continue his lifelong commitment to ensuring academic excellence and opportunity for every child, every day, across the Commonwealth of Virginia.