Chesterfield County Public Schools is the school system of Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Almost 59,000 students are enrolled in 62 Chesterfield public schools. There are 38 elementary schools (grades K-5), 12 middle schools (grades 6-8), 11 high schools (grades 9-12) and the Chesterfield Technical Center, which serves all high schools.[1].
Contents |
The school system is one of the largest and most highly rated public school systems in Virginia. Families continue to choose Chesterfield County in part because of the public school system, which is consistently cited by SchoolMatch as having what parents want. Recognizing Chesterfield’s appeal, America’s Promise Alliance has named Chesterfield County one of the country’s 100 Best Communities for Young People for four years — making the county one of only a handful in the country to be so recognized. One of the five promises required for recognition is a strong public education system that successfully serves young people.
Vision The School Board envisions that in 2012 every Chesterfield school will be a thriving, dynamic and inspiring educational environment that produces self-directed learners with 21st-century skills and stimulates citizens of all ages to trust in, invest in and benefit from public education.
Mission The mission of Chesterfield County Public Schools is to work in partnership with students, families and the community to ensure that each student acquires the knowledge, skills and core values necessary to achieve personal success and to enrich the community.
Design for Excellence The Design for Excellence six-year strategic plan illuminates the path to achieving the School Board’s vision and mission. The goals of the Design for Excellence are Goal 1. Academic excellence for all students Goal 2. Safe, supportive and nurturing learning environments Goal 3. Knowledgeable and competent teachers and administrators Goal 4. Community investment in schools Goal 5. Effective and efficient system management
One of the 100 largest school districts in the nation and the fifth-largest in Virginia, Chesterfield County Public Schools offers many opportunities as it helps students find their paths to success. Chesterfield’s approach to learning is working: 100 percent of Chesterfield schools are accredited by the Virginia Department of Education and student pass rates on Virginia’s rigorous Standards of Learning tests routinely surpass state averages. Four schools — James River High, Grange Hall Elementary, Clover Hill Elementary and Robious Elementary — are National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. No school system has won the Panasonic National School Change Award more often than Chesterfield County Public Schools: Carver Middle won in 2009, Harrowgate Elementary won in 2008, Chalkley Elementary won in 2007, and Bensley Elementary won in 2002.
Attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff members is a priority. Chesterfield has 78 National Board certified teachers, 11 teachers with a doctorate and 1,811 teachers with a master’s degree. Chesterfield students and staff members continually receive local, state and national recognition. The Milken Family Foundation honored three Chesterfield teachers in four years with National Educator Awards worth $25,000. The 4,300+ graduates in the class of 2009 earned $16.4 million in scholarships. Of those graduates, 90 percent planned to continue their education in college or another postsecondary program.
Residents have overwhelmingly supported school bond referendums. Almost 5,000 senior residents participate in the school system’s Super Senior Passport program, and more than 300 business and community partners are recognized annually for significant contributions to the school division.
High school students may choose to attend the comprehensive high school in their neighborhood or apply to attend a specialty center or regional governor’s school based on their individual interests and talents. The Chesterfield Technical Center offers a full range of career and technical courses tailored to current workplace needs. Specialty Centers Specialty centers allow students to attend a high school outside their attendance zone to focus on an area of interest or in which the student excels.
Here are Chesterfield's specialty centers:
Governor's Schools Chesterfield County students may apply to two governor's schools: