Poverty is a topic that can cause significant discomfort, especially when the issue is broached among educators. Some educators immediately began to make assumptions about what students of poverty can and cannot achieve. Researchers (Caldas & Bankston, 1997; Grinion, 1999) have proven there are strong connections between a child's socioeconomic levels and their levels of academic achievement, with the majority of these connections being negative. Lawmakers have passed acts such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in 2002, calling for more strenuous accountability standards to close achievement gaps for all students. Every day educators are charged with the daunting tasks of making miracles happen to meet these increasing demands. Often not factored into the equation are the non-school components that can affect the achievement level of low-income students. Schools should not be considered the only contributing factor in educating students today. This mixed-methods research study offers evidence related to the difference a quality education can have on the lives of students living in poverty. Surveys measuring knowledge and beliefs of poverty, leadership styles, culture and climate effects, and best teaching practices were used to answer the following overarching research question: "What are the primary school-controlled supports that affect the academic and social emotional needs of students of poverty?" This research study highlights major learnings that may be used to improve the academic achievement and overall wellbeing of students in high-poverty, low-performing schools. The major findings related to the overarching research question include: (1) critical need for high-quality leaders, (2) identification of challenges and the removal of obstacles preventing students of poverty from receiving a quality education, and (3) an intentional focus on the overall wellbeing needs of impoverished students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]