Charlottesville City Schools

Dr. Royal A. Gurley, Jr. was appointed superintendent of Charlottesville City Schools (CCS) on October 4, 2021. Now in his 24th year in education, Dr. Gurley has served in a variety of roles across rural and suburban school divisions in Virginia, including teacher, instructional specialist, building administrator, and division-level administrator. He also proudly served for eight years in the Armed Reserves as a logistics specialist.

Since joining CCS, Dr. Gurley has led with a vision grounded in equity, innovation, and community connection. In January 2022, he expanded the division’s parental leave policy for employees, ensuring all parents have access to six weeks of leave to bond with their new child, increasing from just three days for fathers under the previous policy.

In 2023, Dr. Gurley introduced Knight School, providing a continuum of support for learners and creating spaces where students can thrive beyond the traditional school setting. That same year, CCS earned the National School Public Relations Association’s (NSPRA) Gold Medallion for communication surrounding the Walk to School initiative; received a Lab School planning grant from the Virginia Department of Education in partnership with the University of Virginia; began construction on the long-awaited Charlottesville Middle School; and ensured that every student received a backpack and essential school supplies directly at their school, removing a key barrier to learning and ensuring all students could start the year ready to succeed.

In 2024, CCS was named Community Partner of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club, and Dr. Gurley was recognized as an NSPRA “Superintendent to Watch” for 2024–25. Under his leadership, CCS rezoned schools for the first time in 50 years to address overcrowding and housing redevelopment, and the middle school achieved full accreditation for the first time since 2017. In 2025, he successfully negotiated and collaborated with the Charlottesville Education Association to establish a collective bargaining contract for licensed personnel.
Through these accomplishments and more, Dr. Gurley continues to guide Charlottesville City Schools with a steadfast commitment to academic excellence, student well-being, and strong community partnerships.

Follow Dr. Gurley on LinkedIn.