A significant component of this year’s budget is a $1.098 billion Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), aiming to address overcrowding, modernize aging facilities, and support long-term student enrollment shifts.
Major Investments in New Schools and Renovations
The event is designed to introduce approximately 2,500 sixth-grade students to various career pathways through hands-on learning opportunities, interactive exhibits, and connections with local professionals and businesses. The expo aims to help students begin planning for high school and their future careers by exposing them to various industries.
Director of Career and Technical Education Stephanie Carter emphasized that Career GPS is more than just a field trip. It calls it an opportunity for students to explore possibilities, make informed decisions, and gain confidence in selecting pathways that align with their interests. The event will feature interactive exhibits showcasing different career fields, high school student ambassadors who will share insights into academic programs, and opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) students and staff were honored at the Virginia General Assembly for their work on the FCPS Youth Mental Health Taskforce. The delegation, invited by State Senator Tara Durant, spent the day in Richmond serving as legislators and meeting with state officials.
The students arrived at the Virginia General Assembly Building at 9:45 a.m. January 29, 2025, where they met with Senator Durant before touring the historic Capitol. They then participated in a Q&A session with legislators, discussing the importance of youth mental health initiatives.
Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is accepting applications for its college scholarship program. High school seniors whose families receive NOVEC service in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties, as well as the City of Manassas Park, are eligible to apply.
Students from public, private, or home schools must submit applications by April 1. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,500 and are automatically eligible for an additional $3,500 J. Manley Garber Scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding applicant.
On Saturday, February 1, 2024, Stafford County Public Schools hosted its highly anticipated Health and Wellness Fair at Colonial Forge High School, drawing hundreds of community members to participate in a day filled with activities, demonstrations, and fun.
The fair offered attendees a variety of informative experiences, including CPR and “Stop the Bleeding” demonstrations. Participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on training, learning critical life-saving techniques. One popular demonstration involved a “Stop the Bleed” course, where attendees practiced applying pressure and gauze to a simulated wound, preparing them to respond effectively in an emergency situation.
Due to an unforeseen number of staff absences, Stafford County Public Schools is experiencing bus delays this afternoon.
Several schools are being significantly impacted by delays, including North Stafford High, Brooke Point High, and Colonial Forge High, which have reported delays ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. The elementary and middle schools, such as Garrisonville Elementary and Stafford Middle, are also experiencing delays, particularly for routes that have been combined or affected by traffic.
Key Projects in the CIP
To address overcrowding in high-growth areas, PWCS will build multiple new schools, including:
Stafford County Public Schools’ new superintendent says the division is facing significant financial challenges as it prepares for continued growth in student enrollment and increasing demand for specialized services. In a presentation at the Stafford County School Board meeting on January 28, Dr. Daniel Smith unveiled the school system’s funding request for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which calls for additional resources to support its expanding student body and its growing need for special education services.
Stafford County, one of Virginia’s fastest-growing localities, has seen student enrollment grow from about 2,000 students to 32,000 students—19.2% of the county’s total population. With a projected increase of 6,200 students over the next decade, SCPS says it needs to meet the rising demand for educational resources, staff, and facilities. As the county’s largest employer, with over 5,400 employees, the school division is integral to the community’s economic and social fabric, underscoring the need for investment in education.
As Prince William County grapples with shifting enrollment patterns, declining birth rates, and increasing school capacity concerns, school leaders are moving forward with plans to open the county’s 14th high school in the 2029-30 school year.
The new school, which may feature specialized programs such as robotics and drone labs, is intended to relieve overcrowding in central and eastern Prince William County high schools, including Colgan, Freedom, and Woodbridge. However, with fewer students entering the school system than graduating, the long-term necessity of the new school and countywide redistricting remains a topic of debate.
One of the school’s most notable achievements is reducing chronic absenteeism. In the 2022-2023 school year, Weems faced a concerning % chronic absence rate of 28%. This figure, which emerged after the pandemic, reflected the challenges many schools faced. However, the school has halved that number through dedication and hard work. “I am so happy to share with you that Weems’ current chronic absence rate, as reflected in the school quality profile, is half of that number, down to 14%. This is a school community that rose to the challenge,” said Sarah Brescia, a Manassas City school board member.
The improvement in attendance has had a direct impact on student achievement. Huppman explained, “Last year, we had a 24% increase in literacy pass rates for our students in kindergarten through second grade. For the Virginia Standards of Learning reading test, we had a 6% increase in pass rates for our students in third and fourth grade.” While math scores dropped slightly due to virtual instruction during the pandemic, Principal Huppman is optimistic about the future. “This year, we are fully staffed in all classrooms and in all instructional support positions without the need for virtual instructors,” she said.
