The Albemarle County School Board unanimously appointed Leslie Pryor as the Rio Magisterial District representative on January 23, after a public hearing on the candidates. Pryor was one of seven people vying for the seat, which was left vacant following the death of board member Chuck Pace in December 2024. In a release announcing her […]
The Albemarle County School Board unanimously appointed Leslie Pryor as the Rio Magisterial District representative on January 23, after a public hearing on the candidates. Pryor was one of seven people vying for the seat, which was left vacant following the death of board member Chuck Pace in December 2024. In a release announcing her […]
On July 9, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order calling for “cell phone-free education” across Virginia. Rather than issuing a direct guideline, the EO outlines a rapidly paced timeline for stakeholder feedback and policy development. “This essential action will promote a healthier and more focused educational environment where every child is free to learn,” […]
The Albemarle County School Board approved a redistricting plan on March 14. While some parents are celebrating, others are less than thrilled that their children will be attending new schools. The decision to redistrict was prompted by a population surge in the northern part of Albemarle County, and significant overcrowding at Baker-Butler Elementary School. As […]
By Sofia Heartney Ahead of the groundbreaking ceremony at Buford Middle School, marking the start of a multi-million-dollar renovation, Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Royal A. Gurley Jr. recommended changing Buford’s name to Charlottesville Middle School. According to a press release, school board members discussed a name change during a recent meeting. After gathering community feedback, […]
SROs may return to Albemarle schools After replacing school resource officers with unarmed safety coaches, Albemarle County Public Schools has requested funding to hire a single SRO, in response to parents’ complaints about fights, truancy, vaping, sexual assault, and other student misconduct at Albemarle High School. The school division’s $257.3 million draft budget request includes […]
“We want to not have data like this,” Katina Otey said candidly at the February 2 Charlottesville School Board meeting. The chief academic officer’s presentation on student conduct revealed a troubling trend. “A majority of [conduct violation] incidents were committed by Black students,” she said. “And male students.” Seventy-seven percent of students suspended in Charlottesville […]
On January 6, the Virginia Department of Education released a revised proposal of the state’s history and social science standards of learning, after previously proposed standards sparked severe public backlash in November. Critics—including educators, activist groups, parents, and Democratic lawmakers—accused Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration of whitewashing history, perpetuating political bias, and teaching historical inaccuracies. In […]
SOL scores drop Four Albemarle County elementary schools—Greer, Mountain View, Red Hill, and Woodbrook—have been accredited with conditions for the 2022-23 school year, meaning their Standards of Learning exam pass rates in one or more student demographic groups did not meet state standards, according to a statement issued by the school district on September 22. […]
When Sarah first heard about Governor Glenn Youngkin’s proposed transgender student policy, she sat down at her desk and cried. Her 10-year-old transgender child, who attends Charlottesville City Schools, was now in danger of losing critical protections and facing discrimination at school. “I realized that things are about to get really tough,” says Sarah, […]
Last month, Charlottesville and Albemarle County schools opened their doors for full-time, in-person learning for the first time since March 2020. Both school divisions require employees to show proof of vaccination—or submit a negative COVID test every week—and have implemented universal mask mandates, among other strict mitigation measures. Still, the divisions have seen a rise […]