More from Prince William County Public Schools:
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently published the Standards of Learning (SOL) scores for the 2023-24 school year, covering all school divisions across Virginia. The data revealed that PWCS’ SOL scores improved across all subjects, including reading and writing, math and science, and history and social sciences, surpassing the state’s scores in nearly every category.
“Prince William County Public Schools is excited and encouraged by the VDOE’s report on our students’ SOL pass rates. We are seeing notable improvements in every subject, and it’s clear that our teachers are delivering in the classroom and our students are setting a new standard of excellence,” said PWCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade.
In the 2023-24 school year, students scored 76% in reading. This is 3% higher than the state average and 1% better than the previous year. Students scored 79% in writing, 3% higher than the state average and an 8% increase from the 2022-23 school year. In history and social sciences, students scored 71%, 6% higher than the state average and 1% higher than the year prior. Students scored 73% in math, 2% higher than both the state average and the year prior. Lastly, students scored 68% in science, which is 2% higher than the 2022-23 school year.
“I am thrilled that our school division has improved in all categories. My number one commitment to our community has been improved academic success. We are achieving this by all metrics. We have improved test scores while improving our (preliminary) graduation rate to a record high of 94.3%, reducing chronic absenteeism, having our students win record scholarship dollars, and achieving incredible athletic and extracurricular success,” said Prince William County School Chairman At-Large Dr. Babur Lateef.
“This has been a holistic effort led by Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade and her team. It is holistic in that we have our teachers, students, families, and staff all working towards one goal. While we do have more work to do, we can take a moment to be proud of these incredible achievements.”
Teachers will return to Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) on Monday, August 12, 2024. The second-largest school division in Virginia is gearing up for the return of its 92,000 students on August 19, 2024.
Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade shared her excitement for the upcoming school year in a recent message to the community.
“Welcome back to a new and exciting PWCS school year! I hope you and your family enjoyed the summer and are eager to get back into the classroom,” said Dr. McDade. She highlighted the success of a recent community event, organized in collaboration with the Prince William County Community Foundation, which drew over 6,000 students, families, and community members to celebrate the start of the school year. “I was so energized to see our community come together, and I invite you to watch all the fun we could capture.”
As students and families prepare for the new school year, McDade emphasized the importance of accessing essential back-to-school information available on the PWCS Back to School webpage. Parents and guardians are reminded to complete the annual Back to School Packet in ParentVUE, where they can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete necessary policy reviews and acknowledgments. Completion of this packet is required to access class schedules and bus stop information.
Class schedules for elementary school students will be available on August 11, while secondary school schedules, including those for K-8 and traditional schools, will be accessible on August 14 in both ParentVUE and StudentVUE.
Virginia law mandates all students must be adequately immunized by August 15 to begin school on August 19. Parents can view their child’s immunization compliance status in ParentVUE.
PWCS is also implementing changes to its transportation system this year, consolidating bus stops to ensure timely arrival at schools. Transportation details will be available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE on August 12. Families are encouraged to check their child’s bus stop information, as some stops may have changed from last year. The median distance from home to bus stop has increased from 0.10 mile to 0.23 mile.
As we told you last week, the school division will also require students to put away their cell phones while in the classrooms.
As the school year approaches, Dr. McDade welcomes new and returning teachers, who will begin preparing their classrooms and curriculums on August 12 in anticipation of the first day of school on August 19.
“We are committed to ensuring a safe, successful, and enriching school year for all our students,” said Dr. McDade. “Let’s make this year one of growth, learning, and community togetherness.”
*This story has been corrected.
Thursday, February 1, marks the deadline for applications to Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) specialty programs, excluding the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which closed in December. PWCS offers diverse and talent-driven opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students, wrote Superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade.
In Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), students across different grade levels can choose specialized programs tailored to their interests and strengths:
High school students can select from Advanced Academics, Specialty, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs. These programs offer opportunities for students to earn certifications, licenses, or other professional credentials in specific areas of study. Students can choose programs aligned with their interests, preparing them for post-secondary paths, including getting a job, further workforce training, or enrollment in a post-secondary institution.
Nine middle schools in PWCS provide specialty programs accessible through application. Offerings encompass the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, Mathematics and Science, Same Gender Program, World Languages, and Traditional Schools.
PWCS also offers specialty programs at the elementary level, which are also available through application. Offerings include the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, World Languages, and Traditional Schools. These programs cater to the needs and interests of elementary school students, providing a foundation for their educational journey.
Recognition for PWCS Students in the 2023 VMEA Senior Honors Choir
The Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) recently announced the selection of 13 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) students to perform in the 2023 VMEA Senior Honors Choir at their annual conference. These talented seniors underwent a rigorous selection process, competing against the top high school vocal talent in Virginia. PWCS expresses pride in their achievements and extends gratitude to teachers, students, parents, and community supporters. Congratulations to the following students representing PWCS in the VMEA Senior Honors Choir:
- C.D. Hylton High School: Michael Gutierrez-Ramos (Director: Tommy Tutwiler)
- Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School: Abigail Barnes, Danielle Serrano-Bremer, Raelle Melvin, Hannah Yoho, Hope Carey, Adam Mack (Director: Keri Staley)
- Gainesville High School: Mara Cerven (Director: Kristina Sheppard)
- Osbourn Park High School: Ruth Osaro, Taison Ellsworth (Director: Dominick Izzo)
- Patriot High School: Boden Pearson (Director: Liz Selby)
- Woodbridge High School: Alaina Krimmer, Molly Ludwick (Director: Joel Shapiro)
Upcoming Teacher Workday and Student Holiday
A reminder for students and educators: Monday, January 29, is a day off for students and a teacher workday for educators.
Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade has earned the title of Region IV Superintendent of the Year. The district covers school divisions in Northern Virginia: Prince William, Stafford, Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, and west to Orange.
Region IV Chair Dr. Shannon Grimsley, Superintendent of Rappahannock County Public Schools, admired Dr. McDade’s inspirational leadership and commented on her unanimous nomination. “This award is a testament to Dr. LaTanya McDade’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. She is an inspirational leader very much admired by her colleagues, and she will represent Region IV well in the running for Superintendent of the Year of the state of Virginia.”
Prince William County School Board Chairman At-Large Dr. Babur Lateef echoed the sentiment, asserting that the recognition is well-deserved. “Dr. McDade’s passion for student success and her commitment to building a high-performance organization that serves its employees and the Prince William community has been evident since she became our Superintendent. We are grateful for her enthusiastic support for our children and our community.”
Dr. McDade assumed the role of Superintendent of PWCS on July 1, 2021, and is the first woman and African American to lead the school division. In her first seven months, she launched Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures, a comprehensive four-year strategic plan to enhance learning and achievement, foster a positive climate and culture, increase family and community engagement, and achieve organizational coherence.
With 23 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools, McDade has brought a wealth of knowledge to PWCS, serving as a teacher, principal, chief schools officer, and district leader. Guided by core principles of excellence, equity, and integrity, she has brought clarity, vision, and a steadfast focus on improving teaching and learning to PWCS.
Under Dr. McDade’s leadership, Prince William’s public schools have seen notable achievements. In 2023, students outscored the state in four of five Standards of Learning (SOL) subject areas. Science scores increased by 3%, and there was a 5% improvement in Phonological Awareness Literacy Screenings in elementary schools.
McDade has also promoted diverse pathways for students to earn college credit and industry certification in high school, with over 135 courses available.
Collaborations with the Virginia Department of Labor, national businesses like Amazon, and local businesses have opened avenues for partnerships, mentorships, internships, and externships for students. McDade said that 100% of graduates from 2023 onwards will have a postsecondary plan, whether it’s entering college, technical school, the military, the workforce, or accessing community transition services through establishing a college and career counselor at every high school.
Prince William County Public Schools have a total enrollment of 89,945 students, distributed across elementary (39,041), middle (20,132), high (28,987), and other categories (1,785, including preschool and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology).
The student demographics for the 2023-24 school year are as follows: Hispanic/Latino (36.90%), White (26.22%), Black or African American (19.10%), Asian (11.22%), Two or more races (6.22%), and Other (0.34%). Additionally, 27.46% are English Learners, and 13.77% have disabilities.
In terms of personnel, there are 13,333 full-time equivalent employees in the 2023-24 school year. This includes various roles such as administrative assistants, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, custodians, teachers, and others across different departments.
Correction: An earlier version of this story reported Stafford County was part of Virignia Region IV Schools when it is part of Region III.
