This article explores the concept of vertical equity in light of school reform efforts aimed at increasing academic outcomes for all students. Vertical equity, or the idea that students who bring certain educational needs to the classroom require additional resources to address those needs within the educational process, is useful as a way to conceptualize school responsiveness. To the degree that vertical equity can encapsulate the complexity of the teaching and learning processes in schools, it carries considerable potential to assess school responsiveness to diverse student and staff needs and facilitate improved educational outcomes.