WISE, the Education Commission, and Education Development Trust came together with the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) to generate new evidence on school and system leadership during COVID-19. This research was guided by three interrelated questions: 1. What is the role of school leaders and system leaders in mitigating the inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis during school closure and reopening? 2. What are the skills, competencies and behaviors that school and system leaders demonstrated that have promoted equity? 3. What is the role of collaborative structures, such as professional learning communities or community networks, in supporting leaders to promote equity? A mixed-methods approach for the research was used, including a literature review, surveys and interviews, and case studies of multiple schools.