Hampton City Schools (HSC) is celebrating this weekend with a community event for families.
Celebration of Excellence
Saturday, Nov. 2 |10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Outside at the Vanguard
(504 N. King Street)
Find event details on the HCS Facebook page.
The free daytime celebration will feature informational booths, snacks, kids games, crafts and face painting, door prizes, and student performances. A nighttime event, HEF Fest, is a paid event that supports the school system's teacher grant programs.
Why the big party? Hampton City Schools recently received several major educational awards.
The school system experienced its highest on-time graduation rate of all time, as 97.93% of students from the Class of 2024 graduated on time. Additionally, HCS has the highest on-time graduation rate of the 15 school divisions in the region, which includes all of the school divisions in Hampton Roads from the Southside, Peninsula, and Eastern Shore. Not only is HCS's rate the highest in the region, but ranked 5th in Virginia.
HCS's dropout rate of 0.5% marks the fourth consecutive year the division's dropout rate has been below 1% and is the lowest dropout rate in the region.
The school's graduation rate is just the beginning of the awards they have received.
* HCS is one of five school divisions in the region to once again receive the rating of 100% Accredited without Conditions - the highest level rating of accreditation.
* HCS is the first in the nation to be designated a K-12 Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) Community.
* Four HCS schools received the 2024-2025 Board of Education Highest Achievement Award.
- Barron Fundamental Elementary School
- Bethel High School
- Kecoughtan High School
- Mary W. Jackson Fundamental Elementary School
These schools were recognized as four of 92 schools across Virginia earning the Board of Education Highest Achievement Award. This award is based on performance during the 2023-2024 school year.
Schools recognized for Highest Achievement demonstrated high levels of success across all school quality indicators, including success in narrowing achievement gaps, as well as achieving Performance Level One for reading, mathematics, and science
* Five HCS schools earned the Virginia Purple Star Award.
- Andrews PreK-8 School
- Barron Fundamental Elementary School
- Kilgore Gifted Center
- Tarrant Middle School
- Phoebus High School
The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate strong support for military-connected students and their families.
To achieve the Purple Star status, schools must appoint a dedicated staff member to serve as the primary point of contact for military families, helping to facilitate communication and support. Additionally, these schools provide programs and resources tailored to the unique challenges military families face, such as academic planning and school transitions.
Hampton City Schools now boasts a total of 16 Purple Star-designated schools.
Dr. Raymond L. Haynes, superintendent of Hampton City Schools, remarked, “We are honored that the Virginia Department of Education has recognized the dedication of our five additional Purple Star schools. These schools reflect our commitment to serving military families, who make tremendous sacrifices for our country. We want these families to choose Hampton as we offer a welcoming and supportive environment for their children.”
Virginia is home to several major military installations and serves over 80,000 military-connected students, including children of active duty, reserve, and Virginia National Guard members.
Congratulations, Hampton City Schools!
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