Henrico County Public Schools
Encyclopedia
The Henrico County Public Schools system is a Virginia
school division
that operates as a functional and independent branch of the Henrico County, Virginia
, county government, and administers public schools in the county. Henrico County Public Schools has five International Baccalaureate schools--J.R. Tucker High School, Henrico High School, Fairfield Middle School, Tuckahoe Middle School, and George H. Moody Middle School.
Total Schools - 71;
Elementary - 45;
Middle - 12;
High - 9;
Technical Centers - 2
Program Centers - 3.
Students
Total Students - 48,659;
Elementary - 22,336;
Middle - 11,220;
High - 14,360;
Other - 743;
(updated Nov. 2011)
Pupil/Teacher Ratios
Elementary - 20.6;
Middle - 22.1;
High - 21.8
(updated Mar. 2011)
Graduates
2011 Graduates - 3,592
Scholarships - $15.8 Million accepted
On-Time Graduation Rate - 86.2%
Continuing Education - 83%;
Dropout Rate - 2.45%
Ethnic Distribution
Asian - 7.9%;
Black - 36.9%;
Hispanic - 6.6%;
White - 45%;
Other - 3.6%
(updated Nov. 2011)
Nutrition
Students on free and reduced lunch: 29.8%
(updated Dec. 2009)
Transportation
Buses - 600;
Special Education Buses - 104;
Drivers - 431;
Driver Aides - 88;
Miles Traveled Daily - 50,000;
Miles Traveled Annually - 9,000,000;
Students Transported Daily -more than 46,000
Finance
Operating Budget - $502.6 Million;
Per Pupil Expenditure - $9,256
(updated Nov. 2011)
Teachers - 3,687
Employees - 6,566
Superintendent Dr. Patrick Russo took office July 1, 2009. Dr. Russo had been superintendent of Hampton City Public Schools since 2004. Russo has more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
Henrico began transportation of some children via farm wagons, and the program quickly grew. In 1933, Henrico County Public Schools began self-operating school bus
es. By 1960, the county was operating 118 buses, expanding to 158 by 1964. In the early 1970s, fleet maintenance for all county and school board vehicles, which had been located at Dabb's House on Nine Mile Road
and at a west end depot formerly located on the site now occupied by Regency Mall on Parham Road at Quioccasin Road was consolidated at a new large and modern facility on Woodman Road in the northern section of the county.
The Henrico school division is one of the larger school bus programs in Virginia as well as in the United States. As of the 2009-2010 school year, Henrico County Public Schools was utilizing a fleet of over five hundred school buses. Henrico County Public School buses make two to four runs into and out of schools every school day, transporting over 46,000 students to school and bringing them home daily. Most buses are Type C "conventional style" school, and Type D, or Transit buses Bus models include the International FE, International RE, Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX
.
was awarded a contract with HCPS for high school students. Middle schoolers received Dells at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.
Response to the laptop program has been mainly positive. Up until the 2005-2006 school year, Apple computers were used exclusively. In 2005, Dell
was awarded a contract with HCPS for high school students. During a random survey where 796 homes were polled, 88% of parents were in favor of continuing the program.
Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, the county replaced the 8e6 Technologies
web filter with that of Lightspeed Systems
.
Virginia Randolph
(1874–1958) became notable for her many years and contributions to the development of educational programs for African-American students during the days of segregated
schools in Virginia. Educated at Richmond's Armstrong High School
, in 1892, Ms. Randolph opened the Mountain Road School in the north central part of the county. As a teacher there, Randolph taught her students woodworking, sewing, cooking, and gardening, as well as academics. In 1908, Henrico County Superintendent of Schools Jackson T. Davis
named her to become the United State's first "Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher"
.
As the overseer of twenty three elementary schools in Henrico County, Virginia Randolph developed the first in-service training program for black teachers and worked on improving the curriculum of the schools. With the freedom to design her own agenda, she shaped industrial work and community self-help programs to meet specific needs of schools. During her 57-year career, although she remained at work in Henrico County, she became recognized worldwide as a pioneering educator, humanitarian and leader, especially in the field of vocational education
. She retired in 1949.
In Glen Allen
, the Virginia Randolph Home Economics Cottage
was made into a museum in memory of Randolph in 1970. The Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission designated the museum a State Historic Landmark. In 1976 the museum was named a National Historic Landmark
by the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service
. Randolph reportedly had an office in the building. Her grave site is on the grounds. Randolph is interred on the museum grounds. In modern times, Virginia Randolph Community High School in Glen Allen, Virginia
and a special education center are each named in her honor. The Virginia Randolph Foundation, formed in 1954, annually awards scholarships to Henrico County high school students who will be attending a 4 year college or university.
(1882–1947), a Richmonder, was graduate of the College of William and Mary
and Columbia University
. He headed school divisions in Williamsburg
and Marion
before coming to Henrico as Division Superintendent in 1905. After his tenure at HCPS, Dr. Davis became state agent for African-American rural schools for the Virginia State Department of Education from 1910-1915. He went on to also become an internationally known leader in his field. Henrico County's Jackson Davis Elementary School, dedicated in 1964, was named for him. His collection of photographs of Virginia's negro school facilities of the era is notable among many items of his career which were donated to the University of Virginia
and are among the special collections there.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
school division
School division
-Canada:In Canada the term is used to the area controlled by a school board and is used interchangeably with school district, including in the formal name of the board. For example, see List of Alberta school boards.-United States:...
that operates as a functional and independent branch of the Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico County, Virginia
Henrico is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. As of 2010, Henrico was home to 306,935 people. It is located in the Richmond-Petersburg region and is a portion of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, county government, and administers public schools in the county. Henrico County Public Schools has five International Baccalaureate schools--J.R. Tucker High School, Henrico High School, Fairfield Middle School, Tuckahoe Middle School, and George H. Moody Middle School.
Statistics
SchoolsTotal Schools - 71;
Elementary - 45;
Middle - 12;
High - 9;
Technical Centers - 2
Program Centers - 3.
Students
Total Students - 48,659;
Elementary - 22,336;
Middle - 11,220;
High - 14,360;
Other - 743;
(updated Nov. 2011)
Pupil/Teacher Ratios
Elementary - 20.6;
Middle - 22.1;
High - 21.8
(updated Mar. 2011)
Graduates
2011 Graduates - 3,592
Scholarships - $15.8 Million accepted
On-Time Graduation Rate - 86.2%
Continuing Education - 83%;
Dropout Rate - 2.45%
Ethnic Distribution
Asian - 7.9%;
Black - 36.9%;
Hispanic - 6.6%;
White - 45%;
Other - 3.6%
(updated Nov. 2011)
Nutrition
Students on free and reduced lunch: 29.8%
(updated Dec. 2009)
Transportation
Buses - 600;
Special Education Buses - 104;
Drivers - 431;
Driver Aides - 88;
Miles Traveled Daily - 50,000;
Miles Traveled Annually - 9,000,000;
Students Transported Daily -more than 46,000
Finance
Operating Budget - $502.6 Million;
Per Pupil Expenditure - $9,256
(updated Nov. 2011)
Teachers - 3,687
Employees - 6,566
School Board and Superintendent
The newly elected Henrico County School Board will take office Jan. 1, 2011. It includes 4 returning board members: Diana D. Winston, Three Chopt district; John W. Montgomery Jr., Varina district; Lisa A. Marshall, Tuckahoe district; and Lamont Bagby, Fairfield district. And one new member: Beverly L. Cocke, Brookland district.Superintendent Dr. Patrick Russo took office July 1, 2009. Dr. Russo had been superintendent of Hampton City Public Schools since 2004. Russo has more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
New Schools
Glen Allen High School and Holman Middle School opened in Fall 2010. Glen Allen High School's principal is Tracie Weston. Holman Middle School's principal is Dr. Brian P. Fellows.Pupil Transportation
As one room school houses gradually evolved into graded elementary schools with multiple classrooms, an educational development in Henrico as in many other places, children often lived too far away from the closest of these schools to walk as they had previously to the smaller schools.Henrico began transportation of some children via farm wagons, and the program quickly grew. In 1933, Henrico County Public Schools began self-operating school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
es. By 1960, the county was operating 118 buses, expanding to 158 by 1964. In the early 1970s, fleet maintenance for all county and school board vehicles, which had been located at Dabb's House on Nine Mile Road
Nine Mile Road
Nine Mile Road is a historic highway located in Henrico County and the independent city of Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was named for its length between a junction with the Williamsburg-Richmond Stage Road Nine Mile Road is a historic highway located in Henrico County and the independent city of...
and at a west end depot formerly located on the site now occupied by Regency Mall on Parham Road at Quioccasin Road was consolidated at a new large and modern facility on Woodman Road in the northern section of the county.
The Henrico school division is one of the larger school bus programs in Virginia as well as in the United States. As of the 2009-2010 school year, Henrico County Public Schools was utilizing a fleet of over five hundred school buses. Henrico County Public School buses make two to four runs into and out of schools every school day, transporting over 46,000 students to school and bringing them home daily. Most buses are Type C "conventional style" school, and Type D, or Transit buses Bus models include the International FE, International RE, Thomas Saf-T-Liner HDX
Saf-T-Liner HDX
The Thomas Saf-T-Liner is the name of the transit-style school bus product line produced by Thomas Built Buses. Introduced in 1978, the Saf-T-Liner marked the transition to in-house chassis production by Thomas. In addition to school bus applications, variations of the Saf-T-Liner have been...
.
Laptop Program
Henrico County Public Schools was one of the first school districts in the United States to distribute laptop computers to students, during the 2001 school year. Initially, the four-year, $18.6 million dollar project was for high school students alone. However, the middle school program was also phased in 2002. Up until the 2005-2006 school year, Apple computers were used exclusively. In 2005, DellDell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
was awarded a contract with HCPS for high school students. Middle schoolers received Dells at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year.
Response to the laptop program has been mainly positive. Up until the 2005-2006 school year, Apple computers were used exclusively. In 2005, Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
was awarded a contract with HCPS for high school students. During a random survey where 796 homes were polled, 88% of parents were in favor of continuing the program.
Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, the county replaced the 8e6 Technologies
8e6 Technologies
8e6 Technologies is now M86 Security.- History :Founded in 1995 as Log-In Data Corp., the company changed its name to 8e6 Technologies in 2000. Its co-founder and CEO for ten years, George Shih, developed many of the technologies used in 8e6 Internet filtering products.Originally, in an effort to...
web filter with that of Lightspeed Systems
Lightspeed Systems
Lightspeed Systems is a company that sells content-control and security software and systems for schools.-Overview:Founded in 1999, Lightspeed Systems Inc. develops web filtering, network security and network management solutions for the education market...
.
Virginia Randolph
Two local educators associated with Henrico County Public School became notable for contributions to the development of educational programs for African-American students in the late 19th and early to mid-20th century.Virginia Randolph
Virginia Randolph
Virginia Estelle Randolph was an African American educator in Henrico County, Virginia. She was named the United States' first "Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher" by her Superintendent of Schools, Jackson T. Davis, and she led a program funded by the Jeanes Foundation to upgrade vocational...
(1874–1958) became notable for her many years and contributions to the development of educational programs for African-American students during the days of segregated
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
schools in Virginia. Educated at Richmond's Armstrong High School
Armstrong High School (Richmond, Virginia)
Armstrong High School, part of the Richmond Public Schools system, is a high school located in Richmond, Virginia, with grades 9-12.Known at first as the Richmond Colored Normal School, Armstrong was the first public school in Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, for African American...
, in 1892, Ms. Randolph opened the Mountain Road School in the north central part of the county. As a teacher there, Randolph taught her students woodworking, sewing, cooking, and gardening, as well as academics. In 1908, Henrico County Superintendent of Schools Jackson T. Davis
Jackson T. Davis
Jackson T. Davis was an educator and author from Virginia. In a career spanning 45 years in the first half of the 20th century, he became an international leader in African American education in the United States and Africa....
named her to become the United State's first "Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher"
Anna T. Jeanes
Anna T. Jeanes was an American philanthropist. She was born in Philadelphia, the city where she gave Spring Garden Institute, a technical school, $200,000; $100,000 to the Hicksite Friends; $200,000 to the Quaker schools of Philadelphia; and $200,000 to the Home for Aged Friends, now known as...
.
As the overseer of twenty three elementary schools in Henrico County, Virginia Randolph developed the first in-service training program for black teachers and worked on improving the curriculum of the schools. With the freedom to design her own agenda, she shaped industrial work and community self-help programs to meet specific needs of schools. During her 57-year career, although she remained at work in Henrico County, she became recognized worldwide as a pioneering educator, humanitarian and leader, especially in the field of vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
. She retired in 1949.
In Glen Allen
Glen Allen, Virginia
Glen Allen is a census-designated place in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. The population was 12,562 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, the Virginia Randolph Home Economics Cottage
Virginia Randolph Cottage
Virginia Randolph Cottage, also known as Virginia E. Randolph Museum, Virginia Cardwell Cottage, or Home Economics Cottage, is a building that was built in 1937 in Glen Allen, Virginia, United States. It was the home economics building of the Virginia Randolph Training School, a vocational school....
was made into a museum in memory of Randolph in 1970. The Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission designated the museum a State Historic Landmark. In 1976 the museum was named a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
by the United States Department of Interior, National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. Randolph reportedly had an office in the building. Her grave site is on the grounds. Randolph is interred on the museum grounds. In modern times, Virginia Randolph Community High School in Glen Allen, Virginia
Glen Allen, Virginia
Glen Allen is a census-designated place in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. The population was 12,562 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and a special education center are each named in her honor. The Virginia Randolph Foundation, formed in 1954, annually awards scholarships to Henrico County high school students who will be attending a 4 year college or university.
Jackson T. Davis
Jackson T. DavisJackson T. Davis
Jackson T. Davis was an educator and author from Virginia. In a career spanning 45 years in the first half of the 20th century, he became an international leader in African American education in the United States and Africa....
(1882–1947), a Richmonder, was graduate of the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
and Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. He headed school divisions in Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
and Marion
Marion, Virginia
Marion is a town in Smyth County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,968 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Smyth County. The town is named for American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion.-Tourism:...
before coming to Henrico as Division Superintendent in 1905. After his tenure at HCPS, Dr. Davis became state agent for African-American rural schools for the Virginia State Department of Education from 1910-1915. He went on to also become an internationally known leader in his field. Henrico County's Jackson Davis Elementary School, dedicated in 1964, was named for him. His collection of photographs of Virginia's negro school facilities of the era is notable among many items of his career which were donated to the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and are among the special collections there.
Awards and accolades
- Henrico County Public Schools was named one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America," the only school division in the nation to earn this designation 12 years in a row.
- Newsweek recognized Deep Run, Freeman, Godwin and Henrico high schools as four of America’s Best High Schools in 2010.
- Deep Run High School's robotics team, known as Blue Cheese, took home the state title at the FIRST Tech Challenge competition held at the University of Virginia in 2009.
- Twelve Henrico Schools have received the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. Shady Grove Elementary School was selected in fall of 2007.
- Henrico schools received eight National Association of Counties (NACo) awards for implementing groundbreaking programs in 2009.
- Ten schools earned the 2011 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence and 21 schools earned the 2011 Board of Education’s VIP awards.
- Godwin and Deep Run HIgh Schools schools won a silver medal ranking by U.S. News and World Report's "Best High Schools in America" for 2009.
- Byrd Middle School was selected as Virginia Educational Media Association (VEMA) Library of the Year for 2010.
- Henrico County Public Schools named National School Library Program of the Year 2011.(AASL)
- The culinary arts program at Hermitage Technical Center obtained certification by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission’s Secondary Certification Committee.
- Glen Allen High School earned the gold and Holman Middle School earned the silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification as verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.
- HCPS was named the 2011 Virginia Healthy Business of the Year by Prevention Connections.
- Virginia Commonwealth University—Autism Center for Excellence selected HCPS to serve as an exemplary site in the delivery of educational services to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
- Crestview Elementary was selected as the Children’s Engineering Program of the year for 2011 by the Virginia Technology Education and Engineering Association.
- Fairfield Middle School received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association.
- HCPS School Nutrition Services was given a “District of Excellence” distinction by the School Nutrition Association during the 2010-11 school year.
Districts
Henrico County is divided into five school districts. The list of districts and their schools follows.Brookland District
- Dumbarton Elementary School
- Echo Lake Elementary School
- Glen Allen Elementary School
- Glen Allen High School
- Greenwood Elementary School
- Hermitage High SchoolHermitage High School (Virginia)Hermitage High is a public high school located in Henrico County, Virginia/Richmond, Virginia. Hermitage offers a great Social Studies, Languages, and Humanities program and a top tier Psychology program regarded as one of the best in the entire state of Virginia...
- Hermitage Technical Center
- Holladay Elementary School
- Hungary Creek Middle School
- Charles M. Johnson Elementary School
- Lakeside Elementary School
- R.C. Longan Elementary School
- Maude Trevvett Elementary School
- George H. Moody Middle School
Fairfield District
- Adams Elementary School
- Arthur Ashe, Jr. Elementary School
- Brookland Middle School
- Chamberlayne Elementary School
- Fairfield Middle School
- Glen Lea Elementary School
- Harvie Elementary School- newest elementary school for the year 2008
- Henrico High SchoolHenrico High SchoolHenrico High School is a high school located just outside the Richmond city line in Henrico County, Virginia and operated by the Henrico County Public Schools. It is unique among Henrico County High Schools in that it has two specialty centers—the International Baccalaureate Middle Years/Diploma...
- L. Douglas Wilder Middle School
- Laburnum Elementary School
- Longdale School
- H.M. Ratcliffe Elementary School
- Virginia E. Randolph Community High School
- Virginia Randolph Special Education Center School
Three Chopt District
- Colonial Trail Elementary School
- Crestview Elementary School
- Deep Run High SchoolDeep Run High School-History:Deep Run High School was named after one of Henrico County's first schools: Deep Run School. Deep Run School was a two-room schoolhouse that can still be found on the grounds of Short Pump Elementary School...
- Jackson Davis Elementary School
- Nuckols Farm Elementary School
- Pocahontas Middle School
- Ridge Elementary School
- Rivers Edge Elementary School
- Shady Grove Elementary School
- Short Pump Elementary School
- Short Pump Middle School
- Skipwith Elementary School
- Springfield Park Elementary School
- Three Chopt Elementary School
- John Randolph Tucker High SchoolJohn Randolph Tucker High SchoolJohn Randolph Tucker High School is a high school in Henrico County, Virginia, United States. It is named after lawyer and Henrico County Judge John Randolph Tucker. Its students and faculty often refer to themselves as "Tucker Tigers"...
- Twin Hickory Elementary School
Tuckahoe District
- Harry Flood Byrd Middle School
- Ruby F. Carver Elementary School
- Douglas S. Freeman High SchoolDouglas S. Freeman High SchoolDouglas S. Freeman High School is a Henrico County high school located in western Henrico County, Virginia.-History:The school is named for Douglas S. Freeman , a Virginia author, newspaper editor, historian, and pioneering radio broadcaster. The school opened in 1954, slightly more than one year...
- Gayton Elementary School
- Mills E. Godwin High SchoolMills E. Godwin High SchoolMills Edwin Godwin High School is located in The West End of Henrico County, Virginia. The school, operated by Henrico County Public Schools.-History:...
- Maybeury Elementary School
- Pemberton Elementary School
- Ridge Elementary School
- Raymond B. Pinchbeck Elementary School
- Tuckahoe Elementary School
- Tuckahoe Middle School
Varina District
- George F. Baker Elementary School
- Cashell Donahoe Elementary School
- Elko Middle School
- Fair Oaks Elementary School
- Highland Springs Elementary School
- Highland Springs High SchoolHighland Springs High SchoolHighland Springs High School is a high school located at 15 South Oak Avenue in Highland Springs, Virginia. First opened in 1907, it is among the oldest schools in Henrico County/Richmond, Virginia...
- Highland Springs Technical Center School
- Mehfoud Elementary School
- Montrose Elementary School
- New Bridge Alternative School
- John Rolfe Middle School
- Sandston Elementary School
- Seven Pines Elementary School
- Varina Elementary School
- Varina High SchoolVarina High SchoolVarina High School is located in eastern Henrico County, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. The current principal of the school is Tracie Omohoundro.-Programs:...
- Henry D. Ward Elementary School