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Virginia Community Schools Implementation Evaluation and Policy Recommendations Report

The Virginia Community Schools Implementation Evaluation and Policy Recommendations Report shares how the Community Schools approach is being implemented across Virginia and the impact it is having on students, families, and communities. The report provides the Commonwealth’s annual update on Community Schools and meets reporting requirements established by the Virginia General Assembly, including Item 123.I. of Chapter 2 (2024 SSI Acts of Assembly) and § 22.1-199.7 of the Code of Virginia. The report highlights outcomes from schools receiving state Community Schools grants and offers policy recommendations to strengthen coordination among schools, families, and community partners. Grounded in Virginia’s commitment to removing non-academic barriers to learning, the report features results from Cohort 1 divisions and recommendations developed by an interagency Community Schools Task Force, demonstrating how Community Schools support student success and whole-child outcomes.

Virginia Community Schools  

Community schools are schools that intentionally form strong partnerships with families and the community to prepare each student for success. The Virginia Community School Model is powered by shared leadership and focused on four branches of support: basic student needs, emotional and mental health, family and community engagement, and student engagement and motivation. By addressing barriers to learning and strengthening family-school-community partnerships, community schools create conditions where students are better positioned to succeed academically and socially.   

In 2019, pursuant to § 22.1-199.7, VDOE developed the Best Practices for Virginia Community School Implementation framework to establish the Community Schools program to enhance student academic success.  

Virginia Community Schools Designation

The Virginia Community Schools Designation Process is a rigorous application and review process that recognizes schools demonstrating strong alignment with the community school model and sustained commitment to high-quality implementation. The process was informed by current community school implementers and the Community Schools Task Force to promote consistency, accountability, and quality across statewide efforts. 

Schools pursuing designation are at different stages of implementation, including emerging, maturing, or excelling. To earn designation status, schools were required to demonstrate progress at one of these levels and submit clear, evidence-informed action steps for continued improvement.  

Designated Schools 

This year, almost 60 sites across 13 school divisions earned designation. Three sites were recognized as Community Hubs, defined as sites that align with community school principles while serving as centralized access points for coordinated supports across multiple schools. 

The VDOE congratulates the following schools and divisions for their leadership and commitment to students and families.  

Arlington Public Schools

  • Carlin Springs Elementary School

Carroll County Public Schools 

  • Carroll County High School 
  • Carroll County Middle School
  • Fancy Gap Elementary School
  • Gladeville Elementary School
  • Gladesboro Elementary School
  • Hillsville Elementary School
  • Laurel Elementary School
  • Oakland Elementary School
  • St. Paul School

Dickenson County Public Schools 

  • Ridgeview Elementary School
  • Ridgeview Middle School
  • Ridgeview High School

Grayson County Public Schools 

  • Fairview Elementary School
  • Fries School
  • Grayson County High School
  • Grayson Highlands School
  • Independence Elementary School
  • Independence Middle School

Henrico County Public Schools 

  • J.R. Tucker High School
  • Quioccasin Middle School
  • Seven Pines Elementary School
  • Varina Elementary School
  • Oak Avenue Complex (Community Hub)

Hopewell City Public Schools

  • Carter G. Woodson Middle School
  • Hopewell High School

Loudoun County Public Schools 

  • Guilford Elementary School
  • Sterling Elementary School
  • Sugarland Elementary School
  • Sully Elementary School

Norton City Public Schools

  • J.I. Burton High School
  • Norton Elementary and Middle School 

Nottoway County Public Schools 

  • Nottoway High School 

Petersburg City Public Schools 

  • Blandford Academy
  • Cool Spring Elementary School
  • Lakemont Elementary School
  • Pleasants Lane Elementary School
  • Pittman Academy
  • Petersburg High School
  • Vernon Johns Middle School
  • Walnut Hill Elementary School
  • Westview Early Childhood Education Center 

Radford City Public Schools

  • Nighttime Community School at Radford High (Community Hub) 

Roanoke City Public Schools

  • Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington (Community Hub)
  • The LIFT Center at Fallon Park Elementary School

Washington County Public Schools 

  • Abingdon Elementary School
  • Abingdon High School
  • Damascus Middle School
  • Glade Spring Middle School
  • Greendale Elementary School
  • High Point Elementary School
  • Holston High School
  • John Battle High School
  • Meadowview Elementary School
  • Patrick Henry High School
  • Rhea Valley Elementary School
  • Valley Institute Elementary School
  • Watauga Elementary School
  • Wallace Middle School

The Office of Community Schools 

In 2024, pursuant to § 22.1-199.7, the VDOE Office of Community Schools was established within the Office of Behavioral Health and Student Safety. VDOE has added a Community Schools Specialist position, with hiring expected by February 2026. The office has implemented activities to support the growing cohort of community schools, including supporting the development and growth of community school models statewide, coordinating an interagency task force that aligns education, health, social services, workforce, and community partners, administering state funds to help divisions develop and sustain community schools, and providing technical assistance on effective practices and implementation.  

Virginia Community Schools Grant Recipients 

To support this work, the 2022 Appropriation Act (Item 136) established the Community Schools Fund. The VDOE received $5,000,000 of a $10,000,000 appropriation to provide grants to school divisions to develop and implement community school initiatives through Fiscal Year 2024. The remaining $5,000,000 was awarded to the Communities in Schools (CIS) organization to expand and deepen their model.  Common goals of grant-funded divisions and CIS affiliates included decreasing chronic absenteeism, increasing graduation rates, and strengthening family and community partnerships.

Divisions directly funded by the Community Schools Fund include: 

  • Amherst County Public Schools
  • Carroll County Public Schools
  • Dickenson County Public Schools
  • Grayson County Public Schools
  • Henrico County Public Schools
  • Loudoun County Public Schools
  • Norton City Public Schools
  • Nottoway County Public Schools
  • Page County Public Schools
  • Radford City Public Schools
  • Rockbridge County Public Schools
  • Washington County Public Schools
  • York County Public Schools

CIS affiliates (and the divisions served) funded by the Community Schools Fund included:

  • CIS of Appalachian Highlands (Wise, Russell, and Smyth)
  • CIS of Chesterfield
  • CIS of Hampton Roads (Portsmouth, Hampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach)
  • CIS of NOVA (Prince William)
  • CIS of Richmond
  • CIS of Virginia – Southside (Danville and Greensville)

Funding continues for the directly-funded divisions through the Community Schools Development and Implementation Planning Grant through Fiscal Year 2026. These funds support 13 school divisions (59 schools) in implementing community school initiatives. All funded schools have adopted the framework and are implementing the community school model; core structures and programs are well-established. The community schools have demonstrated a decrease in chronic absenteeism and an increase in family and community engagement; outcomes can be reviewed in the Virginia Community Schools Implementation Evaluation and Policy Recommendations Report.

In addition, the 2025 Virginia General Assembly amended the Budget Bill – HB 1600, providing an additional $2,500,000 from the general fund to support the Community Schools Development and Implementation Planning Grant for Fiscal Year 2025. As a result of this additional funding, VDOE announced a grant opportunity to support school divisions in the planning and implementation of community school initiatives. Eligible applicants included Virginia school divisions as well as Communities in Schools and its affiliates.

The following applicants have been awarded funding:

  • Arlington County Public Schools
  • Buchanan County Public Schools
  • Charlottesville City Public Schools 
  • Danville City Public Schools
  • Dickenson County Public Schools 
  • Portsmouth City Public Schools
  • Richmond City Public Schools
  • Roanoke City Public Schools
  • Smyth County Public Schools
  • York County School Division
  • Communities in Schools – Hampton Roads
  • Communities in School – NOVA
  • Communities in Schools – Richmond
  • Communities in Schools – Southside
  • Communities in Schools – Tri-Cities