"I am honored to serve the Portsmouth Public School Division as superintendent. I am convinced that my career of 20 years in education has guided me to this point of working with you in order to propel the division to greatness. I always enjoy visiting schools and meeting with our community participants. I encourage you to take a few minutes to talk with me and to share your thoughts and dreams for public education."
- Dr. Elie Bracy, III, Portsmouth Public Schools Division Superintendent
A lifelong educator, Dr. Elie Bracy, III serves as superintendent for Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS). In
this role, Bracy is responsible for roughly 13,000 students and 2,100 staff members. Bracy began
working for the division in 2015, and he now has more than 25 years of experience in public education.
Named a 2021 Virginia State Superintendent of the Year as well as the state’s 2020 Region II
Superintendent of the Year, Bracy has been lauded for his innovative and forward-thinking leadership,
which has brought a sharp increase in school accreditation, expanded classroom opportunities for
students throughout the city and increased career and technical education programs that prepare
students for industry-level jobs right out of high school. He also helped expand a dual enrollment
program called First College, in partnership with Tidewater Community College.
Bracy also led the development of the division’s five-year strategic plan, Expedition 2025: Purpose,
Promise, Success. Throughout this planning process, Bracy engaged staff members, administration and
community members to develop five key goals to focus the division’s efforts and direct growth in
needed areas, including curriculum and instruction, family and parent engagement as well as budget
and finance.
Realizing the critical importance of technology in education, Bracy has led the technological expansion in
the division. By the summer of 2020, PPS was a full 1:1 division, with devices for every student to utilize
in school and at home.
Bracy believes educating students involves the support of staff, parents, and the community. As such, he
established teacher, student, and parent advisory committees. These working groups serve as a forum
to share ideas and concerns as well as receive direct counsel from stakeholder groups. In addition, he
expanded the division’s Parent and Family Liaison program from a Title I elementary program to all
schools in the division. Bracy’s efforts in family engagement have been so well received that in 2017 he
was named the State Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Bracy previously served as Superintendent of Weldon City Public Schools in Weldon, North Carolina.
While there, he also received the Regional Superintendent of the Year Award. His professional
experience also includes serving as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, principal,
assistant principal and school guidance counselor.
Bracy earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kentucky State University, and a master’s
degree in public administration and guidance counseling from North Carolina Central University. He also
earned a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from North Carolina Agricultural
and Technical State University. He later earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova
Southeastern University.
Currently, Bracy serves as the Immediate Past President of the Urban Superintendent’s Association of
America as well as the President Elect for the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. He is also a
member of several professional associations, including the Virginia School Boards Association and the
American Association of School Administrators. Locally, he is a member of the Portsmouth Kiwanis Club
and the Portsmouth Partnership Board.
Bracy and his wife, Kimberly, reside in Portsmouth, and they have three children and one
granddaughter.