Community Schools

INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS

NUTRITION

• Breakfast and Lunch Are Free for All Students: All Cville Schools students can receive free breakfast and lunch at school (no application needed). We offer salads to offer choices for everyone, including vegan and vegetarian students. Out of respect for Jewish and Muslim students, no pork products are used. All meals and serving sizes follow USDA guidelines. Check out our daily menus.
• CMS Young Knights Market: CMS families can access free food, with monthly pantry items and fresh produce pop-ups at events, thanks to BRAFB
• CHS Food Pantry: In the front vestibule. 
• Annual Snack Drive: Supplements snack closets at schools to ensure students have brain food between meals
• Groceries over school breaks
• Meals during weather closures

ASSISTANCE WITH BASIC NEEDS

• EdZone Essential Needs Lockers
• Annual Winter Coat Drive: We want to make sure all students have what they need to be warm in winter. Charlottesville City Schools Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team organizes an annual winter coat drive. If your child needs a winter coat, please contact your school counselor.
• Free backpacks and school supplies

MENTAL WELLNESS AND HEALTH CARE

• On-site mental health counseling and healthcare

Contact for Community Schools Integrated Student Supports: Bianca Allen

EXPANDED & ENRICHED LEARNING TIME

TUTORING

Charlottesville City Schools offers a FREE online tutoring service through K12 Tutoring for all families of students in grades 3–8 during the 2026-27 school year. 

This completely free resource connects your student with a certified teacher for personalized, 1-to-1 support tailored entirely to your schedule. Sessions can be booked for 30 minutes or 1 hour and can take place at whatever time works best for your family. K12 Tutoring aligns sessions with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) and our division's priority focus areas. 

You can access this service right from a personal device at home. To get started and set your student up for success, simply follow these step-by-step instructions. 

AFTER-SCHOOL, SCHOOL BREAKS, AND SUMMER

Learn about opportunities through the schools and our partners on our After-School, School Break & Summer Programs page

Contact for Community Schools Expanded & Enriched Learning Time: Dr. Denise Mulford

FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

WORKSHOPS

• Workshops for families are free sessions providing practical information, skills, resources, and connections. These workshops aim to support student success, strengthen family-school parntership, and increase access to community supports. Topics include:
  • Back-to-school readiness
  • Drug-use prevention
  • Academic supports
  • Stress management
  • Family engagement
  • Healthy meals
  • Course selection
  • Graduation requirements
  • College and career planning
  • School-based testing
  • Preparing for summer

COMMUNITY EVENTS

• Family and Community Engagement events include tailgates at CMS and CHS athletics events, the Budget Bistro, and more.

PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS

A great way to get engaged with school is through your school’s Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). 

CHS PTO 

CMS PTO

Greenbrier PTO

Jackson-Via PTO

Summit PTO

Sunrise PTO

Tall Oaks PTO

Trailblazer PTO

Charlottesville City-Wide PTO Fund 

Contact for Community Schools Family & Community Engagement: Abigail Ferguson

COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

JOIN A DIVISION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

• The School Health Advisory Board (SHAB) advises the Charlottesville City School Board in the development and evaluation of policies and programs that support the health and well-being of students, families, and school staff. Meeting schedule and how to join: SHAB
• The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) advocates for the needs of students with disabilities in our school division. SEAC strives to have a representative from each school and invites your participation. Meeting schedule and how to join: SEAC.
• The Gifted Advisory Committee advises in the development and implementation of Charlottesville’s services for gifted students. It is composed of two parent representatives from each school and a School Board member. Meeting schedule and how to join: Gifted Advisory Committee
• The Federal Programs Parent Advisory Committee advises on improving student achievement and parent/community involvement at Title I schools. At CCS, our Title I schools are Greenbrier, Jackson-Via, Summit, Tall Oaks, and Trailblazer. Parents from these schools are invited to join this committee by contacting their principal.
• The Calendar Committee meets starting in August to advise on developing the Charlottesville City Schools Academic Calendar for future years. Parents are invited to apply for this committee by contacting their principal.
• The Career & Technical Education Advisory Committee ensures awareness of career-readiness options in our schools, with emphasis on exposure to high-demand fields and emerging workforce trends. Parents interested in joining can reach out to Dr. Stacey Heltz, heltzs1@charlottesvilleschools.org.

In addition, the Charlottesville City School Board is made up of seven members elected to at-large seats on November ballots. See the Charlottesville Schools Calendar for meeting information.

ATTEND/SPEAK AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

• Each School Board meeting has a public comment period at the beginning and end. Speakers are asked to limit comments to three minutes. Staff, students, family members, and members of the public are welcome to attend School Board meetings and speak during the public comment period.
• To attend in-person:
  • The public is welcome to attend meetings at the CHS Media Center.
  • To attend virtually: Visit the @CvilleSchools Facebook page for a livestream
• More information about attending/speaking at School Board meetings. 

Want to lead in other ways at your child’s school?  Reach out to your school’s principal for additional information.

Contact for Community Schools Collaborative Leadership & Governance: Dr. Denise Mulford