Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Swastika, Inappropriate Images Found Inside Classroom At Virginia High School: Police Swastika, Inappropriate Images Found Inside Classroom At Virginia High School: Police
Swastika, Inappropriate Images Found Inside Classroom At Virginia High School: Police A disturbing act of vandalism has prompted an investigation at Patriot High School in Nokesville after inappropriate images, including a swastika, were found inside a classroom. The incident was reported to the School Resource Officer on Monday, Dec. 11, according to the Prince William County Police Department, and the officer discovered the symbols drawn on a partition inside the classroom, police said. The markings, which included the swastika and other inappropriate images, did not contain threats directed at students or staff, authorities noted.  No other vandalism was reported el…
Instagram Post Prompts Threat Investigation At Virginia High School Instagram Post Prompts Threat Investigation At Virginia High School
Instagram Post Prompts Threat Investigation At Virginia High School A 15-year-old Woodbridge student has been charged after an Instagram threat against Potomac High School in Dumfries sparked an investigation, authorities said. The threat was first reported anonymously on Dec. 8 through a tip, according to the Prince William County Police Department.  The School Resource Officer (SRO) at Potomac High School, located on Panther Pride Drive, launched an investigation and identified the student behind the post. Police confirmed there was no credible threat to the school or the safety of students and staff, but a detention order was obtained on Dec. 10. T…
Racial Slurs Found Etched Into Table At Virginia High School: Police Racial Slurs Found Etched Into Table At Virginia High School: Police
Racial Slurs Found Etched Into Table At Virginia High School: Police Authorities are investigating a disturbing case of vandalism at a Prince William County school after racial slurs were found etched into a classroom table, officials said. On Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m., the School Resource Officer at Brentsville High School, located in the 12000 block of Aden Road, was alerted to the vandalism, according to police. Investigators from the Prince William County Police Department determined that the hateful markings, which contained no threats, had been scratched into the countertop of a table.  School staff promptly removed the graffiti, officials sai…
Virginia Teacher Charged After Allegedly Assaulting 11-Year-Old Student On Playground: Police Virginia Teacher Charged After Allegedly Assaulting 11-Year-Old Student On Playground: Police
Virginia Teacher Charged After Allegedly Assaulting 11-Year-Old Student On Playground: Police A teacher at R. Dean Kilby Elementary School in Woodbridge is facing charges after allegedly assaulting an 11-year-old student on the school playground, authorities said. Detectives with the Prince William County Police Department concluded their investigation on Wednesday, Dec. 4 into the incident, which occurred on Oct. 29 at the elementary school located on Horner Road. According to investigators, Dana Farber, 51, of Manassas, forcibly grabbed the student by the arms during an incident at the playground, and the child later reported minor injuries to their parents, prompting the investig…
Here's When A Bell-To-Bell Cell Phone Ban Will Be Enacted In Some Virginia Schools Here's When A Bell-To-Bell Cell Phone Ban Will Be Enacted In Some Virginia Schools
Here's When A Bell-To-Bell Cell Phone Ban Will Be Enacted In Some Virginia Schools Students in Prince William County will soon have to part ways with their cell phones during the school day, thanks to a newly approved policy aimed at boosting focus and academic success. The Prince William County School Board voted on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone ban for all schools, which will take effect in August 2025.  The policy aligns with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Executive Order 33, promoting cell phone-free learning environments in public schools. “'Bell-to-Bell' means from when the first bell rings at the start of the school day to beg…
Teen Arrested After Loaded Gun Found In Backpack At Virginia High School: Police Teen Arrested After Loaded Gun Found In Backpack At Virginia High School: Police
Teen Arrested After Loaded Gun Found In Backpack At Virginia High School: Police An Arlington Community High School student is in custody after a loaded firearm with an extended magazine was found in his backpack, police said. The incident unfolded around noon on Monday, Dec. 2, when a school security guard at the school on the 4400 block of Fairfax Drive discovered the gun and suspected marijuana during a search.  The school was placed on lockdown as Arlington police responded and took the 17-year-old into custody. Officers recovered the firearm and narcotics at the scene. The student, whose name has not been released due to his age, is facing multiple charges, …
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds The head of the National Child Research Center (NCRC) in Northwest DC is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to coerce and entice a minor, according to federal authorities. James S. Carroll, 55, was arrested on Tuesday following a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in connection with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Federal authorities allege that between Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 14, Carroll used the Discord messaging platform to communicate with an undercover officer posing as the father of a young child.  During this time, Carroll allege…
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found Inside Virginia High School Bathroom: Police Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found Inside Virginia High School Bathroom: Police
Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found Inside Virginia High School Bathroom: Police An investigation has been launched after swastikas and vulgar language were found etched in a bathroom stall inside a Prince William County school.  The School Resource Officer assigned to Colgan High School on Dumfries Road in Manassas was alerted to hateful graffiti that was found shortly after students arrived for class on Friday, Nov. 15, prompting an investigation. According to the Prince William County Police Department, officers found swastikas and vulgar language etched onto the bathroom stall door, though there were no threats, and no additional vandalism was reported. School…
Maryland Man Working At Virginia School Charged With Soliciting Sex From Student: Police Maryland Man Working At Virginia School Charged With Soliciting Sex From Student: Police
Maryland Man Working At Virginia School Charged With Soliciting Sex From Student: Police A Maryland man working for Arlington Public Schools has been arrested and charged with a sexually-based offense, authorities announced on Friday. Lanham resident Darryl Ramsey, Jr., 31, is facing charges in Virginia and now investigators are seeking possible additional victims.  According to the Arlington Police Department, last week, the agency launched an investigation after being tipped off that an Instructional Assistant assigned to Wakefield High School solicited sex from an underage student. The investigation led to Ramsey's arrest on Friday, Nov. 15, who was charged with taking…
Elementary School Staffer Accused Of Assaulting Boy In Virginia Classroom: Police Elementary School Staffer Accused Of Assaulting Boy In Virginia Classroom: Police
Elementary School Staffer Accused Of Assaulting Boy In Virginia Classroom: Police An elementary school staff member in Prince William County was charged for allegedly striking a 3-year-old boy on the head, police say. Centreville resident Sophie Mihyun Choi, 44, was is facing charges following an investigation into an assault by a school staffer at Ellis Elementary School on Kim Graham Lane in Manassas. According to the Prince William County Police Department, in late October, Choi allegedly struck the child inside a classroom, leaving him with "a minor mark on his forehead."  The incident was reported to school officials, who then notified the police.  Offic…
First-Grade Teacher Accused Of Selling Fatal Fentanyl Dose To DC Man, Selling At School: Feds First-Grade Teacher Accused Of Selling Fatal Fentanyl Dose To DC Man, Selling At School: Feds
First-Grade Teacher Accused Of Selling Fatal Fentanyl Dose To DC Man, Selling At School: Feds A teacher in Maryland who allegedly left her classroom to sell drugs to people on school property is facing charges for distributing a fatal dose of fentanyl, according to federal authorities. Sarah Katherine Magid, 34, has been charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury and the death of a victim, according to a criminal complaint that was unsealed this week in District Court. Magid, a first-grade teacher at a Montgomery County school was arrested in August following a search and seizure warrant by the DEA and local police at her Burtonsville home fo…
Staff Member Accused Of Pinching Teen Student On Bus At Virginia School: Police Staff Member Accused Of Pinching Teen Student On Bus At Virginia School: Police
Staff Member Accused Of Pinching Teen Student On Bus At Virginia School: Police A school staff member at a Prince William County was charged following an alleged inappropriate incident with an 18-year-old student, police say. Late last week, the SRO assigned to Freedom High School in Woodbridge launched an investigation into an assault by a staffer against a teen last month. According to the Prince William County Police Department, it was determined that an 18-year-old student was on a bus in the parking lot of the school when she encountered a school security officer, later identified as 41-year-old Dumfries resident Pedro Chirino.  It is alleged that during tha…
These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Virginia's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released Several elementary schools in Virginia earned an A+ and are among the best in the state, according to a new Niche report. The Arlington Traditional Elementary School was ranked the top in the state, according to researchers, followed by Oak Street Elementary in Falls Church, Innovation Elementary and Taylor Elementary, also in Arlington. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users." …
Assistant Principal Failed To Report Student Assault Allegations In Fairfax County: Police Assistant Principal Failed To Report Student Assault Allegations In Fairfax County: Police
Assistant Principal Failed To Report Student Assault Allegations In Fairfax County: Police As assistant principal in Virginia was charged after failing to report allegations about a special education teacher who allegedly assaulted multiple students, police say. Earlier this year, Elizabeth Yoshimi Nagagata, 62, a teacher at White Oaks Elementary School in Fairfax County, was arrested and charged after investigators received a referral in April regarding an educator who was caught assaulting a student at school. According to investigators from the Fairfax County Police Department, the investigation found that between September 2023 and April 2024, Nagagata allegedly assaulted thr…
These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Virginia's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Several middle schools in Virginia earned top marks and are among the best in the state, according to a new Niche report. Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in the Falls Church Public Schools System topped the list, followed by Lylburn Downing, Dorothy Hamm, and Rocky Run middle schools. Earlier this year, Niche also ranked the top public high schools in Virginia, a list that was topped by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Depar…
Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (DEVELOPING) Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (DEVELOPING)
Man Hitched Ride From Maryland To DC On School Bus: Prince George's County Police (Developing) A strange scene played out on Wednesday afternoon when a man boarded a Prince George's County school bus and was later dropped off in the DC area before coming back, according to police. An investigation was launched at 2:05 p.m. on Oct. 23, when a passerby called 911 after spotting a grown man getting on the bus in the 4100 block of Suitland Road, which was occupied by three elementary school students. Officers were dispatched and stopped the bus at 2:09 p.m., when they determined the students were all safe; however, the man who was seen getting into the bus was no longer on board. The pr…
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Released Of Schools That Received Products A preliminary list has been released of schools that received items that were part of a nationwide recall of millions of pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Earlier this week, the recall was expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds of products, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspectio…
Instructional Assistant At Virginia HS Arrested For Obscene Sexual Display In Classroom: Police Instructional Assistant At Virginia HS Arrested For Obscene Sexual Display In Classroom: Police
Instructional Assistant At Virginia HS Arrested For Obscene Sexual Display In Classroom: Police An instructional assistant at a Virginia high school was arrested after allegedly touching himself inappropriately in a classroom, police say. Great Falls resident David Scalea, 40, who worked as a Langley High School Instructional Assistant has been placed on leave and is behind bars after a student caught him in the act, according to investigators. During school hours on Friday, Oct. 11, police say that a School Resource Officer was notified by administrators that a student observed an instructional assistant masturbating in a classroom behind his desk. Detectives launched an investigati…
New Rankings: Stafford County's Top Public High Schools Revealed New Rankings: Stafford County's Top Public High Schools Revealed
New Rankings: Stafford County's Top Public High Schools Revealed Niche has released its list of the best public high schools in America for 2025. Coming in at No. 12 is Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, which is within the Fairfax County Public School System. For Virginia, TJHS came in at No. 1, with Independence HS in Loudoun County ranking at No. 2, and Washington Liberty HS in Arlington at No. 3. You can click here for a full list of state rankings. We wanted to break it down further and find the best public high schools in northern Virginia, as ranked by Niche. Here's how it looks: ARLINGTON (only three listed) 1. Washingto…
Armed Man Causing Disturbance During Dismissal At Brooke Point HS Arrested, Sheriff Says Armed Man Causing Disturbance During Dismissal At Brooke Point HS Arrested, Sheriff Says
Armed Man Causing Disturbance During Dismissal At Brooke Point HS Arrested, Sheriff Says Classes got off to a curious start for some students in Stafford County when a man trespassed on school grounds and made a disturbance while armed with a pistol on his hip. Fredericksburg resident Thomas Williams, 58, was arrested on Monday afternoon after bringing a gun to Brooke Point High School while staff was dismissing students, officials say. According to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, on Sept. 30, during afternoon dismissal at the school, security was directing traffic in the parking lot, who Williams ignored - not for the first time - leading to an explosive encounter. Inve…
Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (UPDATED) Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (UPDATED)
Police Probing Repeated Threats Of Violence Targeting Virginia Schools (Updated) Police in Virginia are cautioning about a recent rash of hoax threats that have been made targeting Alexandria City Public Schools on social media. An alert was issued by the Alexandria Police Department cautioning about recent posts that were made online involving a fire alarm being pulled, followed by a planned shooting; though no specific school was mentioned. According to the agency, they have been investigating and assessing the threats in collaboration with the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center, which is a Fusion Center of the US Department of Homeland Security. Official…
Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Virginia Magnet School: Fire Marshal Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Virginia Magnet School: Fire Marshal
Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Virginia Magnet School: Fire Marshal Debris from a welder inside a classroom at the Academies of Loudoun magnet school in Leesburg on Tuesday afternoon is likely to blame for the $1 million fire that broke out, officials say. At around 1 p.m. on Sept. 17, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received an emergency call from the alarm company reporting a pull-station activation at the school, an the SRO assigned to the school reported a heavy smoke area in the boiler room reported the situation a minute later. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue crews and several neighboring agencies responded to the scene, where they f…
Firefighters In Virginia Investigating Blaze That Broke Out At Academies Of Loudoun Firefighters In Virginia Investigating Blaze That Broke Out At Academies Of Loudoun
Firefighters In Virginia Investigating Blaze That Broke Out At Academies Of Loudoun One firefighter and one civilian were injured on Tuesday afternoon when a fire broke out at the Academies of Loudoun magnet school.  Loudoun County Fire and Rescue crews were called to a reported fire at the school that was quickly knocked down after all students were safely evacuated from the building before firefighters arrived, officials said. Officials said that there was a small structure fire at the school that was quickly put out. There was an increased public safety presence at around around school grounds throughout Tuesday afternoon as the scene was cleared and investigated.…
Child Caught With Loaded Revolver In VA School 'Did Not Understand Severity' Of Item: Sheriff Child Caught With Loaded Revolver In VA School 'Did Not Understand Severity' Of Item: Sheriff
Child Caught With Loaded Revolver In VA School 'Did Not Understand Severity' Of Item: Sheriff Some school officials got a scare in Virginia this week when a 6-year-old student was caught with a loaded gun inside of his backpack, according to authorities. Members of the Orange County Sheriff's Office were contacted on Sept. 16 by staff members at an area elementary school about a weapon that was found inside the building. According to investigators, they were able to take possession of a backpack that, indeed, contained a gun, and the probe into the incident determined that the child brought it on campus, where it was found by an instructional assistant. Until the instructional assi…
Woodbridge High School Latest Building In Virginia To Be Targeted By Threats; Teen Arrested: PD Woodbridge High School Latest Building In Virginia To Be Targeted By Threats; Teen Arrested: PD
Woodbridge High School Latest Building In Virginia To Be Targeted By Threats; Teen Arrested: PD As threats of violence continue to plague schools throughout Virginia, a 17-year-old in Woodbridge has been charged in connection to an email sent to another student targeting the high school, police say. Members of the Prince William County Police Department were called shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon to investigate a threat made on social media targeting the school on Old Bridge Road in Woodbridge through the agency's Bark Alert system. During the investigation, it was determined that the teen sent threats of potential violence toward the high school in an email to another …
Tipsters Lead Police To TikTok Threat Targeting Fredericksburg Middle School Tipsters Lead Police To TikTok Threat Targeting Fredericksburg Middle School
Tipsters Lead Police To TikTok Threat Targeting Fredericksburg Middle School For the second day in a row, a juvenile student has been linked to threats targeting schools in Virginia that were located on TikTok, officials say. On Thursday afternoon, the Fredericksburg Police Department received a tip regarding a threatening statement on TikTok related to Walker Grant Middle School.  According to investigators, they were able to track the IP address, which helped them locate the user's TikTok account, prompting the department to take "immediate action to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families despite the uncertainty of the social media post's validity…
TikToking 12-Year-Old Charged For Making Threats Targeting Virginia Middle School: Police TikToking 12-Year-Old Charged For Making Threats Targeting Virginia Middle School: Police
TikToking 12-Year-Old Charged For Making Threats Targeting Virginia Middle School: Police A 12-year-old TikToker from Prince William County was charged after allegedly making threats toward Unity Braxton Middle School earlier this week, police say. On Monday morning, officers were called to investigate a threat made on social media targeting the school after investigators were tipped off to the girl's activity online.  According to the Prince William County Police Department, the investigation determined the 12-year-old posted threats of potential violence toward the school on TikTok, though it was quickly established that that it was never a valid threat. Following the in…
Loudoun County Public Schools Monitoring 'Multiple' Rumored Threats,' Officials Say Loudoun County Public Schools Monitoring 'Multiple' Rumored Threats,' Officials Say
Loudoun County Public Schools Monitoring 'Multiple' Rumored Threats,' Officials Say There may be an increased police presence outside of schools in Loudoun County when students arrived to class on Thursday morning due to possible threats spreading on social media. Late on Wednesday night, an alert was issued by Loudoun Public Schools staff after they were made aware of multiple rumored threats against different LCPS schools.  "All information has been reported to our local law enforcement agencies and LCPS Safety and Security, which immediately began investigating," Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence said. "While these threats have thus far been determined to be non…
All Frederick County Public School Closed In Virginia After Social Media Threat Circulated All Frederick County Public School Closed In Virginia After Social Media Threat Circulated
All Frederick County Public School Closed In Virginia After Social Media Threat Circulated Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia were closed on Wednesday after threats of violence spread online, causing alarm, and prompting the emergency shut down. School officials said on Tuesday, that "out of an abundance of caution, all schools, school offices and the school division’s administrative offices will be closed" on Sept. 11.  Officials said that closing would allow school administrator more room to assist law enforcement with the investigation. They were also advised about a viral, widespread social media post, and are working to determine its credibility. The initial inves…
Swastika, Vulgar Language Found Etched Into Gym Locker At Virginia HS: Police Swastika, Vulgar Language Found Etched Into Gym Locker At Virginia HS: Police
Swastika, Vulgar Language Found Etched Into Gym Locker At Virginia HS: Police Hateful imagery was found etched into a gym locker inside a Prince William County high school, police say. An SRO assigned to Brentsville High School on Aden Road in Nokesville was notified about vandalism inside the school early on Thursday, Sept. 5.  According to the Prince William County Police Department, the investigation led to the discovery of a swastika and vulgar language inside the locker room, though no threats were involved. During a subsequent search, police say that officers did not find any additional vandalism in the area, and the school has since removed the markings.…