The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between principal attrition and academic factors in Georgia's high-needs rural schools. The research shows that principals have a significant impact on student outcomes, and principal attrition is a disruptive factor in schools. The findings from this study indicate a negative correlation between principal turnover and every academic component of Georgia's College and Career Readiness Index (CCRPI) at elementary, middle, and high schools in high-needs rural schools in Georgia. Implications for practice are the need to recruit and retain high-quality principals in Georgia's high-needs rural schools and the development of purposeful, collaborative, and sustainable professional learning to better prepare leaders for the unique challenges these schools face. Recommendations for future research include expanding the research to other rural schools and expanding the timeframe of the study to better understand the relationship between principal attrition and student outcomes.