- Roanoke City Public Schools
- Highlights & Accomplishments
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We are proud to celebrate the highlights and accomplishments of our students, staff, schools, and our division. These are just a few examples of how we are moving forward, staying focused, and working together. We Are One. #RCPSProud
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RCPS Student Recognitions - 2024-2025 School Year
Academic Recognitions:
- Sydney Anderson of Patrick Henry High School was named a National Merit Finalist.
- Jefferson Callis of Patrick Henry High School was named a Commended Scholar in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Woodrow Wilson Middle School FBLA placed 8th in the National Merit Award competition.
Athletics Recognitions:
- Carson Derey of Patrick Henry High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Football.
- Grace Williams of Patrick Henry High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Volleyball.
- Samuel Dowdy of Patrick Henry High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Golf.
- Niav Murphy of Patrick Henry High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Cross Country.
- K’Ron Furguson of William Fleming High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Football.
- Alex Moorman of William Fleming High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Football.
- Qasim Jackson of William Fleming High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C for Football.
- Malachi Coleman of William Fleming High School was named to the 1st Team All Region 5C and 1st Team All State 5A for Football.
Fine Arts Recognitions:
- William Fleming High School's band received a unanimous overall Superior rating by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association in March 2025.
- Patrick Henry High School's band received the Virginia Honor Band Award in March 2025.
- Patrick Henry High School’s Wind Symphony received a unanimous overall Superior rating by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association in March 2025.
- Patrick Henry High School’s Marching Patriots were recognized by Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association with a unanimous Superior Rating at the South Central Marching Assessment event
JROTC Recognitions:
- Patrick Henry High School’s JROTC unit was recently awarded an "Exceeds Standards" rating by the Department of the Air Force for the unit's formative Unit Assessment.
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Staff, School, & Division Recognitions - 2024-2025 School Year
Staff Recognitions:
- The Gounds & Athletics Maintenance Department received the 2024 K-12 School Field of the Year award from the Virginia Sports Field Management Association and was a 2024 Pioneer Field of the Year for work on the William Fleming High School Bermuda practice field.
- Raymond Cotter of the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
- La'Shay Foreman of Hurt Park Elementary, Danielle Johnson of Lucy Addison Middle School, and Claire Mitzel of our Communications & Marketing Department were recognized in the Roanoker Magazine's 40 under 40 edition.
- Bryce Vandenberg of Patrick Henry High School received the WSLS Education Impact Award.
- Kisha Kyle of Forest Park Academy was named Roanoke City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year.
Division Recognitions:
- Roanoke City Public Schools received the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for fiscal year 2024-25. RCPS has received the award for excellence in budget presentation for sixyears in a row.
- Roanoke City Public Schools received four awards from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association in the following catergories: Crisis Communication, Video Series (52 Weeks of Reading), Publications (State of the City Brochure and Constituent Services Grip Card).
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RCPS Student Recognitions - 2023-2024 School Year
Academic Recognitions:
- Margaret Kauffman, Jacob Jackson, and Elisabeth Tershak of Patrick Henry High School were named Commended Scholars in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Alasdair Hackworth of Woodrow Wilson Middle School was a National Winner in Running an Effective Meeting at the FBLA National Conference.
- Alexandra Mangiaratti of Woodrow Wilson Middle School was a National Winner in Interpersonal Communication at the FBLA National Conference.
- Jordan Stone of Woodrow Wilson Middle School was a National Winner in Business Etiquette at the FBLA National Conference.
- Caroline O'Keeffe of Patrick Henry High School was named a National Merit Finalist.
Athletics Recognitions:
- A total of 18 student-athletes signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
- William Fleming's Wrestling team won the Regional 5C Wrestling Championship.
- Patrick Henry's Wrestling team placed second at the Regional 5C Wrestling Championship.
- Darren McCoy of William Fleming High School placed first in the Triple Jump at the Indoor Track State Championship Meet.
- Stephanie Noel of William Fleming High School placed third at the VHSL Girls State Wrestling Tournament.
Fine Arts Recognitions:
- Luke Anders of William Fleming High School was selected to perform with the All-Virginia Symphonic Band.
- Nikolai Morgiewicz of Patrick Henry High School was selected to perform with the All-Virginia Concert Band.
- Patrick Henry High School Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony received Superior Ratings in District Concert Assessments.
- James Breckinridge Middle School Symphonic Band received a Superior Rating in District Concert Assessments.
- William Fleming High School Wind Ensemble received an Excellent Rating in District Concert Assessments.
- Lucy Addison Middle School Concert Band received an Excellent Rating in District Concert Assessments.
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Staff, School, & Division Recognitions - 2023-2024 School Year
Staff Recognitions:
- Mark Levy of Roanoke Valley Governor's School received the K-12 STEM-H Educator Award from the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council.
- Jessica Blandy of Roanoke Central Council PTA was named one of the Virginia PTA Volunteers of the Year.
- Jordan Banton of James Madison Middle School received the Tiggbee Impact Award for Spring 2024.
- Michael Doherty, Print Shop Technician, was named RCPS' Support Staff of the Year.
- Mia Hancock-Keeling was named the 2024 Virginia School Social Worker of the Year.
- Jason Long of Woodrow Wilson Middle School, Dawn Custalow of William Fleming High School, and Moir Hill of James Breckinridge Middle School received the WSLS Education Impact Award.
- Jeff Midkiff of Patrick Henry High School received the 2023 Virginia Tech Music Educator Award.
- Jasmine Swann of Westside Elementary School was named Roanoke City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year
- Tom Fitzpatrick, RCPS Science Supervisor, received the Virginia Association of Science Teachers' Recognition in Science Education (RISE) Award.
- J.C. Stallings, Art Teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School, was honored during the City of Roanoke's 2023 Art by Bus Campaign. Mr. Stallings' artwork — depicting his class — was chosen to be featured on a city bus.
- Dr. Verletta White received a Proclamation from Roanoke City Council and Roanoke City School Board for her inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to educational equity in Roanoke City Public Schools.
- Kurrai Thompson, Principal of Fairview Elementary School, received the 2023 Black Girls Really Rock Award from the Continental Societies, Inc. Roanoke Chapter.
- 19 operations workers and custodians completed their continuing education and certification with ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association).
School Recognitions:
- Round Hill Elementary School received the American Heart Association's "Heart of Gold - Top 25 Schools" award.
- Crystal Spring Elementary School was one of 37 schools in Virginia to be recognized with the Board of Education's highest achievement award, the Exemplar Performance Award. This award recognizes schools that exceed board-established performance requirements across all school quality indicators, including success in narrowing achievement gaps.
- Grandin Court Elementary School and Crystal Spring Elementary School were recognized among the Top 100 Elementary Schools in Virginia in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Grandin Court ranked 28th and Crystal Spring ranked 51st out of more than 1,000 schools.
Division Recognitions:
- Roanoke City Public Schools received nine recognitions from the Roanoker Magazine's Best of Roanoke Annual Reader Poll during the 2023-2024 school year:
- Quiana Fields of Fallon Park Elementary School was named Best Educator - Platinum, Star City Hero of the Year - Gold, and Female Star of the Star City - Gold
- Chris Dowdy of Patrick Henry High School was named Best Educator - Gold.
- Fallon Park Elementary School was named Best Public School - Plantinum
- Fishburn Park Elementary School was named Best Public School - Gold
- Roanoke Technical Education Center l was named Best Career and Technical Education Center - Gold
- Roanoke City Public Schools was named Best Employer - Silver
- Fishburn Park Elementary School was named Best Pre-School - Silver
- The NAMM Foundation has named RCPS one of the Best Communities for Music Education in 2024. This is the 12th consecutive year Roanoke City Public Schools has been recognized.
- Roanoke City Public Schools received two awards from the 2023 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Blue Ridge Chapter Summit Awards. RCPS received Gold for the Student Registered Apprenticeship Showcase in partnership with Roanoke County Public Schools and Silver for the 52 Weeks of Reading Program in partnership with Roanoke Valley Television.
- Roanoke City Public Schools received the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for fiscal year 2023-24. RCPS has received the award for excellence in budget presentation for five years in a row.
- Roanoke City Public Schools received two Awards of Excellence from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association for its new website and for its annual State of the City brochure.
- Roanoke City Public Schools received the 2023 Empowered District Seal from EVERFI K-12, which recognizes an exemplary commitment to whole child education.
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Additional Highlights
- Roanoke City Public Schools’ on-time graduation rate for the 2023-2024 School Year was 87.4%.
- Roanoke City Public Schools boasts a diverse student population, with students from more than 70 countries who speak more than 70 languages!
- Roanoke City Public Schools is a Community Eligibility Provision Division, which means all students receive free breakfast and lunch each day.
- All students have access to musical instruments, thanks to a partnership with Save the Music Foundation. Middle and high schools have string orchestras, bands, and choral programs.
- Students participate in 42 different sports programs at the middle and high school levels.
- All students receive laptops, iPad, or an equivalent device for school and home use.
- RCPS has Pre-AP/Honors Programs at all five middle schools.
- Students attending Patrick Henry and William Fleming High School can take dual enrollment classes at Virginia Western Community College.
- RCPS offers 27 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school students. Additional AP courses are offered through Virtual Virginia.
The Community College Access Program(CCAP) allows graduating seniors to attend Virginia Western Community College tuition-free for up to three years. - The Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology (RVGS) is a specialized regional center for the advanced study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).