New families moving into central Virginia have a lot to consider, not the least of which is the quality of education their children will receive in our public schools. Regardless of what county you are considering for your next move, you will find that public schools in central Virginia all earn top grades. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of each school district to illustrate that point. 

Albemarle County Public Schools 

Education is the number one priority for residents of Albemarle County, and the quality of Albemarle County Public Schools continues to be one of the top reasons people and businesses choose to relocate to the county. In 2010, the school system was recognized as one of the 15 highest performing school divisions in the Commonwealth through the Virginia Index of Performance Program. This distinction is the latest of many accolades to the schools and the county, including being selected by Forbes magazine as one of the 20 best places in the nation to raise a family.  

All 26 Albemarle County Public Schools are accredited by the Virginia Department of Education. The school division made Adequate Yearly Progress under the Federal No Child Left Behind Act in 2009, with overall pass rates for students in reading and mathematics exceeding 90 percent — well above the state benchmarks. In a year when state and national average test scores on the SAT were in decline, students in Albemarle County posted double-digit gains in reading, mathematics and writing. But an education in Albemarle County Public Schools is about much more than achievement on standardized tests.  

Albemarle County Public Schools is actively working to transform education for the 21^st century to meet the needs of today’s learners and to prepare them for the rapidly changing global economy. Through partnerships with Piedmont Virginia Community College, the University of Virginia and James Madison University, students have opportunities to graduate with one semester or more of college credit already completed. About 70 percent of Albemarle county graduates earned some college credit while in high school. The School Division is a leader in using data-driven decision making to improve student achievement and in implementing model 21^st century classrooms that utilize technology and concept-based instruction to accelerate learning through student engagement and collaboration. 

In 2010, Albemarle High School was again named a Virginia Music Educators Association Blue Ribbon School for excellence in its combined music program: choir, band and orchestra. Sports teams at all three comprehensive high schools (Albemarle, Monticello and Western Albemarle) captured district, regional and state titles, while extracurricular teams such as journalism, academic team, forensics, music and theatre also took home local, state and national awards. For the 16^th consecutive year, Destination Imagination teams from Albemarle County schools advanced to global competition; in 2010, two teams placed in the top 10 worldwide. 

Students from Albemarle County Public Schools are accepted to the top 25 research and liberal arts colleges and universities every year, with more than 80 percent of graduates pursuing post-secondary education or certification. They have the opportunity to pursue customized learning options through programs such as the Math, Engineering and Science Academy (MESA) at Albemarle High School, the Junior Air Force ROTC program at Monticello High, two charter schools: Murray High School and the Community Public Charter School for grades 6-8, and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC), which offers 13 certification programs in marketable skilled trades. More information can be found at www.k12albemarle.org. 

Augusta County Public Schools

Augusta County Public Schools has a comprehensive educational program for students from preschool through high school. The school system takes in approximately 11,000 students from around the county. Augusta County Public Schools operate 22 schools including five high schools, four middle schools, twelve elementary schools, one regional vocational/technical center, one regional governor's school, plus a regional special education program and a regional Head Start program.  

Currently the division employs approximately 880 teachers and offers advanced curriculum — with college credit available — in language arts, science, foreign language, mathematics, social studies, physical education and fine arts. The schools offer a program for gifted and talented students in the areas of language arts, mathematics, art, music and drama, as well as vocational education programs in agriculture, business, home economics, technology, trade and industry. Extensive media services and connections to the Internet are provided to all students and personnel. Summer school enrichment and remedial programs are available as well as special education programs to provide a continuum of services for students with special needs. Learn more about the Augusta County School Division at www.augusta.k12.va.us . 

Charlottesville City Schools  

Serving nearly 4,000 students, the Charlottesville City School Division consists of six elementary schools (preschool through grade 4), one upper elementary school (grades 5-6), one middle school (grades 7-8) and one high school (grades 9-12). The division’s per pupil expenditure in 2009-10 was $16,669. Charlottesville City Schools maintain a tradition of small class sizes. Student/teacher ratios vary, from 17:1 to 20:1 in K-4, 16.25:1 in grades 5-8; and 20.5:1 in high school.  

Charlottesville City School Division continues its progress in meeting academic standards and in expanding 21st Century learning opportunities for all students. Classes for three-year-old children have been expanded and alternative learning options for high school students have increased the number of Charlottesville High School graduates. 

All schools are fully accredited by the state. Six of the division’s nine schools made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2009. In Standards of Learning testing, division-wide pass rates continue to improve for all subgroups and the achievement gap continues to narrow. SAT scores in reading, math and writing are above both state and national means. CHS students consistently score well above state and national averages on SAT exams; the school offers 25 AP classes as well as dual enrollment classes. 

Charlottesville’s Superintendent, Dr. Rosa Atkins, was named the 2010 Virginia Superintendent of the Year by the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Dr. Atkins was selected by her peers for improving “the chances of her students to be successful in public school, higher education and the workplace by creating a culture of professional learning, reflection and common planning in her school district.” 

Four City schools earned recognition in the 2010 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program. Greenbrier Elementary School was among 153 in the state to earn the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence as well as being named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Burnley-Moran and Venable elementary schools were among 15 School Divisions and 288 schools to earn the Board of Education’s Excellence Award. Johnson Elementary School was among 17 school districts and 281 schools to earn the Board of Education’s Competence to Excellence Award. 

City schools have a long-established reputation for exemplary fine arts programs. Charlottesville High School won the Festival Sweepstakes/Grand Championship at the Heritage Festival of Music in Boston, the competition’s highest honor for outstanding achievement and highest overall score for its orchestral, band and vocal groups. CHS earned the “Blue Ribbon School" designation for the 7th year from the Virginia Music Educators Association. Walker Upper Elementary and Buford Middle School musical groups were also ranked superior in their respective competitions. 

The CHS Scholastic Bowl team finished third in the State AA championship tournament. For five consecutive years, the team has claimed a spot among the top three teams in the state, winning three state titles in the process. The CHS Class of 2010 included 13 National Merit Commended Scholars, one National Merit Achievement Finalist; and nine National Merit Finalists. To find out more about Charlottesville City Schools, go to www.charlottesvilleschools.org . 

Fluvanna County Public Schools 

The Fluvanna County Public Schools system is comprised of five schools: Central Elementary, Cunningham Elementary, Columbia Elementary, Fluvanna Middle School and Fluvanna County High School, all of which are fully accredited. Construction is currently underway on a new high school. The mission of Fluvanna County Public Schools is: “to provide quality education whereby all students acquire the skills, knowledge and values necessary to develop into responsible and productive citizens of the twenty-first century.” To that end, Fluvanna County Public Schools are one of eight Virginia school divisions recognized by Standard and Poor’s School Evaluation Services for narrowing the achievement gap. 

 Student enrollment is a little over 3,800 students with a targeted student-teacher ratio of 22:1. The school system offers a variety of student programs including special education, gifted and talented education, career and technical education, and alternative education. Parental involvement is high, as is the school system’s expectation of its students. 

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and Old Dominion University recognized Fluvanna County High School by certifying that its Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering and Engineering Technology Program met the stringent standards of quality set by the college. Fluvanna County High School is one of only five schools certified by PLTW in the state of Virginia. Learn more about this honor at www.fluco.org . 

Greene County Public Schools 

Greene County Public Schools (GCPS) educates approximately 2,800 children in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 in one primary school, two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and one technical school. Greene County Public Schools has five Nationally Board Certified Teachers; meanwhile, 84 percent of the division’s professional staff has a masters or doctoral degree, and 98.6 percent of its professional teaching staff are considered “highly qualified.” GCPS has much to be proud of:  

The class of 2010 had 34 Commonwealth Scholars

Seventy-eight percent of the class of 2010 will continue their formal education after high school.

Thirty-eight students earned at least 15 college credits at William Monroe High School.

Ninety-one percent graduation rate.

Two Greene County teachers were selected to participate on the 2010 VDOE SOL Assessment Review Committee.

Sharon Morris and Kris Linaberry were recognized as Educators of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year.

A five-year, $1.7 million Teaching American History Grant was awarded to GCS in partnership with surrounding counties.

The State Board of Education awarded William Monroe High School the VIP Excellence Award for meeting all of the state and federal accountability benchmarks for the third consecutive year.

 Check out Greene County Schools at www.greenecountyschools.com . 

Louisa County Public Schools 

Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) currently has six schools: one high school (9-12), one middle school (6-8) and four elementary schools (pk-5). The building of Moss-Nuckols Elementary School, the county’s fourth elementary school, is complete and the school opened in August 2010. The division also has an alternative education center for students at the middle and high school levels. The high school has an extensive Career and Technical Education department and access to a Governor’s School. All LCPS schools were accredited for 2009 by the Virginia Department of Education, having met or exceeded the standards required on the SOL assessments.  

During the 2009-2010 school year, the school division employed approximately 380 teachers, and served about 4,730 students. The division strives to maintain a 21:1 student/teacher ratio at the elementary level and a 25:1 student/teacher ratio at the middle and high school levels.

In May of 2010, a total of 330 students received their diplomas at Louisa County High School’s seventieth annual commencement service. Approximately 35 percent planned to attend a four-year college, 32 percent planned to attend a two-year college, 5 percent have other educational/service plans, 22 percent planned to work and 6 percent planned to enlist in the military.

 Louisa County Public Schools utilizes the Effective Schools process where the staff examines school needs and sets goals each year. Both at the school level and at the district level, the schools’ procedures and processes are continually assessed to ensure staff members are meeting the needs of its students and the community. 

LCPS has seen continual progress since 1998 when Standards of Learning testing began. Test scores have risen despite the fact that a different group of students are being tested each time and the SOLs are revised periodically and additional SOL tests have been added over the years. Visit www.lcps.k12.va.us for more information. 

Madison County Public Schools 

The educational philosophy of Madison County Public Schools is to provide equal opportunity for every student to achieve maximum intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth to ensure that each individual is equipped to communicate effectively with other people, is competent both in the work place and in higher education and feels confident in his or her ability to make creative and constructive decisions throughout life. 

The school district includes Madison County High School, William Wetsel Middle School, Waverly Yowell Elementary School and Madison Primary School. All schools were fully accredited for the 2009-2010 school year.  

The high school has been awarded Virginia High School League’s Wachovia Cup for Academic Excellence for 16 out of 17 years and recently won state awards in forensics, debate, and drama. Madison students are entering their third year of participation in The Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School, with fifteen juniors, fourteen sophomores and sixteen freshmen enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year. 55 percent of 2010 graduates earned an advanced studies diploma.  

Additional information on Madison County Schools can be found at www.madisonschools.k12.va.us . 

Nelson County Public Schools

“Empowering generations through excellence in education.” That’s the vision of Nelson County Public Schools. Its mission is to educate students to become skilled, responsible, productive and enlightened citizens who contribute to society. To accomplish this, the school district is committed to: 

Learning for all

Maintaining an environment conducive to learning

Supporting communication, collaboration and teamwork

Using the growth and learning process as a critical component of the organization

Teaching the importance of mutual respect, character development and diversity

Including the community and businesses as key partners in the educational process

Maintaining positive and proactive public relations

Learning as a lifelong process

 Low student/teacher ratios in modern facilities provide an array of educational opportunities for students of all ages. All Nelson County Schools are fully accredited by the Commonwealth of Virginia, and they continue to exceed Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) benchmarks of achievement. 

During the 2009-2010 academic year, Nelson County Schools had a total of 1,969 students in the preschool through 12^th grade. The district employs approximately 160 teachers for PK through 12^th grade. The average class size is 19.76 and the division attendance rate is 94.8%. Sixty-two percent of high school graduates in 2010 planned to attend higher institutions and 76 percent received an advanced diploma. 

 The Schools’ administration focuses on the following while educating the children: 

Setting high expectations of students, teachers, and staff

Continuous monitoring of students’ progress

Building strong home, school, and community relationships

Providing a safe, orderly, and caring environment

Making many professional development opportunities for our instructional staff 

Nelson County Public Schools partners with community agencies and Institutions of Higher Learning to provide opportunities for its youth. The school district welcomes community involvement in its programs and activities and invites the public to learn more by visiting its website at  HYPERLINK "http://www.nelson.k12.va.us" www.nelson.k12.va.us . 

Orange County Public Schools 

Orange schools employ high quality, creative teachers who this fall will educate approximately 5,100 students in eight schools, including five elementary, two middle schools and one high school. Average pupil/teacher ratios are 1:21 in elementary, 1:19 in middle and 1:20 in high school. All schools in the system are accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.  

OCPS has the 13^th highest graduation rate in the Commonwealth and the 8^th lowest dropout rate out of 134 divisions. 

OCPS has over 600 identified gifted and talented students. OCPS offers summer scholars program for enrichment as well as Head Start, Early Head Start and Virginia Preschool Initiative. OCPS utilizes the Instant Alert system to notify parents, students, and staff of school related events. 

OCPS graduated 374 students in 2010, of which 188 students graduated with an Advanced Studies Diploma. Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment and Distant Learning are offered by OCPS. 

Approximately 75 percent of this year’s graduating class is continuing their education. 

93.6 percent of our graduates enrolled in a Career & Technical Education Course during middle or high school. In addition, Advanced Math & Foreign Language Instruction is offered. 

OCPS has a five year Capital Improvement Plan and a new middle school is projected to open in fall 2011 at the eastern end of the county.  

For additional information, visit www.ocss-va.org .