Charlottesville City Schools

Charlottesville City Schools: Better Together

Vision

Charlottesville City Schools will be a community of hope, growth, and learning where barriers are eliminated and possibilities are limitless.
Mission

We are an interconnected, equity-focused school community committed to providing the skills and knowledge needed for lifelong learning, engaged citizenship, and personal fulfillment.
RELATIONSHIPS: We build authentic connections with each other, elevating diverse perspectives by promoting mutual trust, respect, and a sense of belonging.

GROWTH: We create an environment that promotes personal and organizational improvement through collaboration, reflection, support, and effort.

JOY OF LEARNING: We foster curiosity, play, and exploration to inspire active engagement, discovery, and achievement.

WELL-BEING: We prioritize mental wellness, safety, and physical health. We recognize that we are better together.

About Us

Charlottesville City Schools is the public school division of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia. We are home to 4,500 students in pre-K through Grade 12. Our division includes:

Six elementary schools, grades pre-K through 4:
- Greenbrier, Jackson-Via, Summit (formerly Clark), Sunrise (formerly Burnley-Moran), Tall Oaks (formerly Johnson), and Trailblazer (formerly Venable)
Walker Upper Elementary School (Grades 5-6) and Charlottesville Middle School (formerly Buford; Grades 7-8)
Charlottesville High School (Grades 9-12)
Three alternative learning academies: New Pathways (Grades 7-8); Lugo-McGinness and Knight School (Grades 9-12)
Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) (Grades 9-12)
Hospital Education program for patients of UVA Children’s Hospital.

Excellent academics

Charlottesville City Schools support students to develop academic curiosity and confidence. Teachers and staff work closely with families to help each child reach their full potential. By the time they graduate, more than half of CHS students will have taken at least one AP Exam, and 32% will have taken 5 or more.
Great teachers

We’re proud to attract top talent—our team includes National Board Certified Teachers, grant winners, and innovative educators at all levels.
Strong school communities

Our schools are a home away from home for our students, with strong relationships at the core. At school-wide morning meetings and pep rallies, we build community, highlight student achievements, and have fun. In addition, each school has its own rituals for marking milestones in learning, cultural events, and the rhythm of the school year.

Commitment to arts and sciences

Students begin taking music, art, and iSTEM classes in kindergarten. This early introduction prepares them for advanced opportunities at CMS and CHS … from flying drones to playing in the orchestra, from studying photography to competing in robotics.
Charlottesville is our classroom

Our schools benefit from the many facets of our city, from its one-of-a-kind place in American history, to its natural beauty, to its enduring community spirit. Each year students expand their horizons with special field trips to museums, outdoor excursions, and cultural events.
Learning in nature

Each of our schools has ample access to the natural world, including gardens, fields, trails, and forests. Whether it’s unstructured play at an elementary mud kitchen or an urban farming class growing mushrooms, students have many opportunities to learn outside.

United by the Knights

Students and families of all ages cheer on the orange and black (Young Knights at CMS and the Black Knights at CHS)! Friday night football and basketball draw big crowds, as do artistic, theatrical, and musical productions throughout the year.
Extra supports for student well-being

We value students’ physical and mental health, which is why all schools have a full-time school nurse, a full-time school counselor, and an additional mental health professional, with additional counseling staff at our secondary schools. In addition, our special education and related services are staffed at robust levels to ensure all students with disabilities have the support they need to succeed in school.
A reflection of Charlottesville’s diversity

At Charlottesville City Schools, students from all backgrounds, neighborhoods, and cultures come together to learn and grow. We’re committed to creating a sense of welcome and belonging for every child.

School Reconfiguration Goes into Effect in Fall 2026

We are currently embarking on a redesign of our middle school which will support a divisionwide school reconfiguration plan going into effect in Fall 2026:

Charlottesville Middle School will serve 6-8th grade;
5th graders will stay at their elementary schools
Walker will become our Charlottesville Early Learning Center for preschool (ages 3 & 4)