Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt’s educational and professional background spans across a wide spectrum of experiences in the teaching and learning field and in a variety of roles and settings throughout the Commonwealth. As the Superintendent of Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), she is dedicated to fostering innovative learning environments that prioritize student achievement, educator excellence, and community engagement.

Recognizing her visionary leadership, student-centered approach and commitment to excellence, in 2025 Dr. Kay-Wyatt was named the Region IV Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS). Her peers highlighted Dr. Kay-Wyatt’s impact on staff development, community engagement and innovative programs such as the Academies at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) and the Middle School Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, both celebrated by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

In 2025, she earned the Superintendent Power Partner of the Year award by the Virginia PTA for going above and beyond to build relationships between parents and schools, engagement in school activities and events as well as demonstrating her commitment to creating a safe, caring and inclusive environment where all students and families can feel supported and valued. In 2024, she was selected as one of her alma mater’s Virginia Commonwealth University Ten Under Ten awardees. The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) selected Dr. Kay-Wyatt as a 2023 Superintendent to Watch, recognizing her effective use of technology to engage and inform the school community while also expanding two-way communication and outreach efforts.

Dr. Kay-Wyatt holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University, where her capstone research focused on evaluating early literacy programs. She also earned a Master of Education in educational leadership from the University of Mary Washington, a Master of Science in education from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Mary Washington College.

Her leadership within ACPS has encompassed multiple roles, including Chief of Human Resources and Executive Director of Human Resources, where she implemented strategic workforce planning, talent recruitment and staff development initiatives. Before transitioning to

Central Office leadership, she served as a middle school principal, where she led transformational change that resulted in improved student outcomes.

Under her tenure as superintendent, in 2024, improved on-time graduation rates to 87%, the second-highest in 10 years, while dropout rates declined by four percentage points, with significant reductions among English Learners (-9 percentage points) and economically disadvantaged students (-10 percentage points). Every ACPS school received the highest performance designation from the VDOE Accreditation System in English, with significant improvements in math and chronic absenteeism.

During Dr. Kay-Wyatt’s tenure as superintendent, the school division has also launched cutting-edge career pathways at the middle and high school levels to expand college and workforce readiness opportunities for students. Through her collaborative leadership practices, Dr. Kay-Wyatt has been instrumental in strengthening relationships with families, staff, and community partners, reinforcing a “One Team, One Journey” mission to ensure every student thrives.

Beyond her work in K-12 education, Dr. Kay-Wyatt is a respected voice in educational policy and leadership development. She has served on numerous national and state boards, including the Board of Directors for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), where she was president and board chair from 2019-2020. She has also been a legislative advocate at the state and national levels, shaping education policy to support lifelong learning and equitable access to quality education.

Dr. Kay-Wyatt’s expertise in leadership, human capital management, and instructional innovation has led to adjunct faculty appointments at Shenandoah University and the College of William & Mary, where she has taught courses in educational leadership and human resources in education. She has also contributed to national research panels, including the U.S. Department of Education’s Study of Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance Programs.

She remains an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) and the Virginia School Boards Association Taskforce (VSBA) for Students and Schools in Challenging Environments. Kay-Wyatt also provides executive coaching to the Google GSV Education Innovation Fellowship, supporting system-level leaders in their leadership development and strategic initiatives.

Dr. Kay-Wyatt previously served as a board member on the Germanna Community College Board of Directors (2019-2021) and on the Mary Washington Health Care Board, Finance Committee (2021). She currently serves on the University of Mary Washington College of Education Advisory Board. She also was honored as the James Monroe High School Teacher of the Year (2004) in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Dr. Kay-Wyatt’s leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, data-driven decision-making and a relentless commitment to student success. Her career exemplifies a steadfast dedication to fostering educational communities that empower students, educators and families. Her visionary leadership and transformative impact in Alexandria City Public Schools continue to shape the future of public education in Virginia and beyond.