December 10, 2025
ATLANTA – Dec. 10, 2025 – KIPP Atlanta Schools, a network of 10 tuition-free public charter schools and one partner school serving scholars in kindergarten through 12th grade across Atlanta and East Point, has named Dr. Michael Cormack Jr. as its next chief executive officer (CEO), pending board approval. The selection follows an extensive nationwide search to find a leader to build upon the organization’s academic success and community partnerships. Dr. Cormack currently serves as deputy superintendent of the Jackson, Miss. public school system.
The search committee unanimously recommended Dr. Cormack, citing his demonstrated system-level turnaround leadership and deep academic expertise, including a proven track record of significant, measurable gains across classroom, school, district, and nonprofit settings. On December 9, the KIPP Atlanta Schools Board of Directors voted to approve his appointment as CEO, and Dr. Cormack is expected to begin his transition in March 2026.
“Dr. Cormack stood out for his deep experience leading successful educational transformation at every level,” said Joe Arnold, chair of the KIPP Atlanta Schools Board of Directors. “His proven system-level leadership, expertise in advancing literacy across communities, and commitment to cultivating high-performing teams make him exceptionally well-suited to lead KIPP Atlanta Schools into its next phase of academic growth and impact.”
Dr. Cormack’s selection was based on several strengths that align with KIPP Atlanta’s current needs, including leading Mississippi’s breakthrough early literacy gains and driving sustained math and language arts improvement in Jackson Public Schools. He is recognized for his thoughtful talent leadership, emphasis on rigorous assessment, and development of high-performing teams, as well as his policy acumen.
Dr. Cormack has 23 years of experience in education and currently serves as deputy superintendent of Jackson Public Schools in Mississippi, where he is responsible for leading all academic programming across the district, which serves nearly 18,000 students. In this role, he has overseen key departments, including Teaching & Learning, Exceptional Education, School Support, and Athletics, and played a pivotal part in the district’s recent turnaround. Under his leadership, Jackson Public Schools has achieved significant improvements in both student outcomes and district accountability, driven by reforms in literacy, strategic talent development, and the implementation of a new districtwide strategic plan.
Prior to his role in Jackson, Dr. Cormack was CEO of the Barksdale Reading Institute, where he helped advance statewide early literacy results in Mississippi. He also led Quitman County Elementary School in the Mississippi Delta as principal. Additionally, he has worked as a classroom teacher, including two years as a KIPP teacher in the Mississippi Delta, and held a variety of staff roles with Teach For America–Mississippi. He holds a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and policy from Vanderbilt
University, a master’s degree in education from Delta State University and Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from Boston College.
The announcement follows a milestone year for KIPP Atlanta Schools, marked by the graduation of its inaugural Full Promise Scholars class and continued academic progress across the network. The 2024–2025 school year saw strong year-over-year gains in core subjects, highlighted by rising proficiency levels and improvements on key assessments, further demonstrating KIPP Atlanta’s commitment to academic excellence and student achievement.
Ra’Chel Ford, who has held various leadership positions since joining KIPP Atlanta Schools in 2014, most recently as deputy CEO, will continue to serve as interim CEO until Dr. Cormack assumes his role in March 2026.
About KIPP Atlanta Schools
KIPP Atlanta Schools is an open-enrollment network of 10 charter schools and one partner school serving more than 5,500 scholars in kindergarten through 12th grade. Since its founding in 2003, KIPP Atlanta Schools has been dedicated to believing that every student deserves a joyful and excellent education and opportunities that will lead them toward a fulfilling life. The organization has educated thousands of students and supports over 2,000 alumni in college and career. For more information, visit www.kippatl.org.
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