Dear Charlottesville City Schools families and staff,

I’m proud to announce that CCS has achieved one of its 2028 Strategic Plan goals: 70% proficiency in math on the state Standards of Learning (SOL). Five years ago we were at just 55%. Congratulations, students and staff! Contributing to this accomplishment are major gains in math proficiency among Black middle school students (including an 11% improvement for Black 8th graders!), plus a gain of 9% in math proficiency for all 4th graders. In our Strategic Plan we also set the goal to reach 70% math proficiency for all individual student membership groups–we’re still shy of that target but are on the right path. 

In addition to math gains in the 25-26 school year, CCS students overall also improved in science (+2%), biology (+4%), civics (+5%), and Virginia studies (+7%). Reading proficiency overall has remained the same, at 67%. Nonetheless, according to research, the gains we’re seeing in other subjects demonstrate that our students are becoming better readers, as literacy is the primary means for accessing academic learning. To reach our strategic plan goal of 75% proficiency in reading will require accelerating achievement for students with the most significant learning needs. CCS is committed to those students and will continue to implement and refine our evidence-based “science of reading” curriculum.

Read on in this newsletter for other important updates. 

Dr. Gurley

As part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety, our district is transitioning to Raptor Technologies for visitor management, replacing our previous Securly system. The Raptor system allows us to keep better track of all guests entering our school while ensuring our campus remains secure. Learn more about the new system and all of our safety protocols by visiting our School Safety Hub.

To address unsafe street conditions during student arrival and dismissal, the City of Charlottesville installed school zone speed cameras at Charlottesville Middle School, Summit, and Tall Oaks last year. 

Depending on where you live in the city, this is something for staff, parents, and student-drivers to be very aware of on their way to/from school every day. Violators who speed 11 MPH over the posted speed limit through a school zone during enforcement hours will be issued a fine. 

⌚ At Summit and Tall Oaks elementaries, enforcement times are 7:30-8:30am and 2-3pm. 

⌚ At Charlottesville Middle School, enforcement times are 8-9am and 2:45-3:45pm.

Learn more. https://charlottesville.org/1910/School-Zone-Speed-Cameras-Verra-Mobility 

CCS is in the process of reviewing literacy curricular materials in advance of adopting a new core curriculum for next year. We are looking for high-quality reading and writing materials that will inspire our students, and your perspective as parents, caregivers, and partners is a vital part of this decision. Please take a moment to complete this survey to share your thoughts. These are the programs being recommended for review.

Additionally, following an extensive evaluation and adoption process, CCS is implementing new high-quality instructional materials for mathematics this year. The new math programs aim to build strong conceptual understanding, fluency, and real-world problem-solving skills for students at every stage. Learn more about the new math curriculum by visiting our math page.

This November, voters in the City of Charlottesville will have the opportunity to approve a brand-new source of funding for school facilities: On the ballot is a 1% local sales tax increase that would generate approximately $12 million annually to be used solely for the purposes of upgrading and modernizing CCS’s aging school infrastructure.

Upgrading our facilities ensures that

The tax would not apply to groceries, essential personal hygiene products, and prescription medications. If passed, it would go into effect in early 2027 and remain in place until June 30, 2046. Share our flyer (available as a printable PDF and sharable image) or visit charlottesvilleschools.org/facilities

Like school divisions across the country, Charlottesville City Schools is evaluating how students engage with technology in the classroom in the wake of new research suggesting unintended harms of excessive screen time at school. 

At the August School Board meeting, Director of Technology Pat Cuomo discussed these changes (which were also outlined in the Guide to the School Year). He also reviewed ideas we’re considering for future years. Watch Mr. Cuomo’s presentation and view his slides. CCS will be doing engagement with staff and families throughout the year on this topic–stay tuned for more information. 

All enrolled families should have received the 2026-27 CCS wall calendar and Guide to the School Year in the mail. If you registered recently or didn't receive your mailing, ask your school for a copy.

Included in your mailing is a printout of the single-page 2026-27 at-a-glance calendar. We also recommend subscribing to our Google “Academic Calendar” to keep up with days off, as well as your school's events calendar. Visit our calendar page to learn more.

What's for breakfast? What's for lunch? Every school day, Charlottesville City Schools offers FREE breakfast and lunch for all students through the USDA's Community Eligibility Provision program. (No application needed.). Find menus here

For ALL the Black Knight athletics and activities news, subscribe to Updates about CHS Athletics and Activities, Activities Director Andy Jones' weekly roundup.

Since 2015, graduating high school seniors in Virginia who attain proficiency on an approved state test in a world language and English have had a Seal of Biliteracy added to their diplomas. 

During the 2025-26 school year, Charlottesville City Schools created a more equitable pathway for its bilingual students whose first language is not English to earn the prestigious Seal on their diplomas.

The Charlottesville High School Class of 2026 was the first to have the opportunity to take a test to show their bilingual proficiency skills in Dari, Pashto, Arabic, and Swahili, languages that CHS does not offer as courses but which many of its students speak. Read the story

During the school year, Charlottesville City School Superintendent Dr. Royal Gurley will deliver Royal Recognitions, recognizing staff for their dedication, excellence, exemplary service, and positive impact. Each winner earns $250 to spend on their school. Want to see your favorite staff member get the royal treatment? Fill out a nomination form.

Charlottesville City Schools is looking for community members to join our crossing guard team at the following posts:

Crossing guards work approximately 7:20 to 7:50am and 2:15 to 2:45pm on school days. The starting rate is $32/day (includes am and pm shift). Apply to be a crossing guard.