Fair 63°
Schools
Best High Schools: Virginia Schools Ranked In Brand-New List Best High Schools: Virginia Schools Ranked In Brand-New List
Best High Schools: Virginia Schools Ranked In Brand-New List Virginia is rife with top-rated high schools, according to brand-new rankings. US News & World report released its annual list of Best High Schools in the U.S. on Tuesday morning, April 23. The rankings were determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. Virginia has 129 districts and 329 high schools, according to US News. Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria was ranked No. 14 in the nation. Eight of the top 10 best high schools in Virginia are in Fairfax County: No. 10: West Sprin…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Legacy Of Guidance Counselor, 45, Lives On Outside Loudoun County School Legacy Of Guidance Counselor, 45, Lives On Outside Loudoun County School
Legacy Of Guidance Counselor, 45, Lives On Outside Loudoun County School Students and coworkers impacted by Damien White are making sure his memory stays alive. The 45-year-old Belmont Ridge Middle School guidance counselor died on Dec. 13, 2023, after a cancer battle. White dedicated 18 years to his job within the Loudoun County school system, and on Monday morning, April 22, a birch tree was planted in his honor at Belmont Ridge. This morning, it was an honor to be part of the tree dedication ceremony in memory of Damien White. He was the head... Posted by Linda Deans, Ph.D. - LCPS Broad Run School Board Representative on Monday, April 22, 2024 "The …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Building Service Manager From DC Caught With Gun On Campus Of Maryland Middle School: Police Building Service Manager From DC Caught With Gun On Campus Of Maryland Middle School: Police
Building Service Manager From DC Caught With Gun On Campus Of Maryland Middle School: Police A District man working at a Maryland middle school is facing charges for bringing a gun on campus, officials say. William Broadus Coleman, 30, a building service manager at Forest Oak Middle School in Montgomery County was arrested on Tuesday for possession of a loaded privately manufactured handgun, according to the Gaithersburg Police Department. Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on April 16, officers were called to the school in the 600 block of Saybrooke Oaks Boulevard, where there were reports of a staff member who was in possession of a firearm. During the investigation, police say that offi…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Arrested With Weapon On School Grounds That Led To Lockdown In Virginia: Police Teen Arrested With Weapon On School Grounds That Led To Lockdown In Virginia: Police
Teen Arrested With Weapon On School Grounds That Led To Lockdown In Virginia: Police An 18-year-old student at an Arlington County high school was arrested after being caught with a gun on school grounds by administrators.  Tashawn Carter was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon following an investigation into reports of a weapon that was found at the Langston High School Continuation Program, where there was an alarm. Police say that a school administrator located a firearm in Carter's possession, prompting a temporary lockdown while responding officers investigated. The Arlington native was taken into custody without incident and charged with possession of…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Sent Bomb Threat To Staffer At Prince William County HS, Police Say Teen Sent Bomb Threat To Staffer At Prince William County HS, Police Say
Teen Sent Bomb Threat To Staffer At Prince William County HS, Police Say A teenager was charged following an investigation into a bomb threat that was made targeting a Prince William County high school, police say. On Tuesday morning, the School Resource Officer assigned to Hylton High School on Spriggs Road in Woodbridge was notified about a threat made via email targeting the building. According to the Prince William County Police Department, the investigation led them to a 15-year-old student, who allegedly sent the threat to a school staff member. It was ultimately determined that the threat was not credible and neither students nor staff were ever in any d…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Fairfax County Teacher Lops Off 11 Inches To Benefit Kids With Hair Loss: 'No-Brainer' Fairfax County Teacher Lops Off 11 Inches To Benefit Kids With Hair Loss: 'No-Brainer'
Fairfax County Teacher Lops Off 11 Inches To Benefit Kids With Hair Loss: 'No-Brainer' Erica Hosken prefers her locks long. But the Oakton High School teacher has no problem rocking a shorter look if it means easing some pain for a child. And that's exactly what she's doing these days. Last month, Hosken cut 11 inches of her hair to benefit children experiencing medically-related hair-loss. It's all part of an event happening March 16 called The Great Cut, in which an organization called The Longhairs will try to beat their own record for the most hair cut in a day, set in 2019. Proceeds benefit an organization called Children With Hairloss, and Hosken's 11 inches…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Quick-Thinking Teacher Recovers Loaded Gun From Elementary School Student In Virginia: Police Quick-Thinking Teacher Recovers Loaded Gun From Elementary School Student In Virginia: Police
Quick-Thinking Teacher Recovers Loaded Gun From Elementary School Student In Virginia: Police The Alexandria Police Department continues to investigate after an elementary school student was caught bringing a gun to class on Friday. Officers were called to the Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy on March 1 when a teacher heard the child voluntarily mention that he was carrying the weapon inside his backpack. Police say that the student brought the loaded gun into school inside his bag, and voluntarily mentioned it in conversation with their teacher on Friday that they were armed. The teacher immediately took possession of the student's bag, notified school administrators, and the poli…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Students Cited For Assault, Battery By Mob For Fight That Led To Lockdown At VA School: Sheriff Students Cited For Assault, Battery By Mob For Fight That Led To Lockdown At VA School: Sheriff
Students Cited For Assault, Battery By Mob For Fight That Led To Lockdown At VA School: Sheriff Staff members were assaulted and several students are facing discpline after a wild day at a Stafford County High School that could have further consequences moving forward. All hands were on deck on Monday morning at Brooke Point High School on Courthouse Road, when a large fight broke out, prompting a rapid response from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office, which was called in due to the number of students involved. A spokesperson for the agency said that deputies and school staff were able to separate the warring parties, though the incident "would spark numerous disturbances throughout…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Classes Resume After Virginia HS Evacuated For Possible Gas Leak Classes Resume After Virginia HS Evacuated For Possible Gas Leak
Classes Resume After Virginia HS Evacuated For Possible Gas Leak Students and staff at a Virginia high school were temporarily out in the cold on Tuesday morning after a precautionary evacuation. Loudoun County High School was evacuated shortly after 9 a.m. on Jan. 30 due to the reported presence of the odor of gas throughout parts of the building, according to police. A School Resource Officer assigned to the building from the Leesburg Police Department coordinated with school staff to safely get everyone out while Loudoun County Fire and Rescue crews investigated and gave the all-clear before noon on Tuesday. Classes resumed normally and there isn't e…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Virginia Elementary School Evacuated Due To Threat Targeting Building (DEVELOPING) Virginia Elementary School Evacuated Due To Threat Targeting Building (DEVELOPING)
Virginia Elementary School Evacuated Due To Threat Targeting Building (Developing) A Virginia elementary school was evacuated on Wednesday afternoon after a threat was made against the building. An alert was issued by the Alexandria Police Department at round 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, after a threat targeting Charles Barrett Elementary School on Martha Custis Drive was reported. Officers were called to the building and there is expected to be a heavy police presence at and around the school throughout the day. All students and staff were being evacuated as a precaution.  The nature of the threat has not been disclosed by the police. ALERT: There is a h…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Snow Day! Weather Closes Schools Across Virginia Snow Day! Weather Closes Schools Across Virginia
Snow Day! Weather Closes Schools Across Virginia Schools across Northern Virginia are closed Tuesday, Jan. 16 due to the snow. Snow began falling across the region Monday, Jan. 15, and is expected to turn to a wintry mix overnight. All Fairfax, Stafford, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, and Arlington public schools will be closed on Tuesday. The National Weather Service shows Northern Virginia is expected to see 1 to 3 inches by the end of the night Monday, Jan. 15. Rain, snow, and freezing rain will fall likely before noon, with another chance of snow later in the day, making for hazardous road conditions.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Bomb Threats Sent To DC Schools Under Investigation: Police (DEVELOPING) Bomb Threats Sent To DC Schools Under Investigation: Police (DEVELOPING)
Bomb Threats Sent To DC Schools Under Investigation: Police (Developing) An investigation in the nation's capital has been launched after several schools received similar bomb threats on Wednesday morning, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Investigators are probing a bomb threat that was emailed to several schools in DC shortly before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10.  Police say that the department is coordinating with DC public and charter schools to ensure the safety of students and staff. As of 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, officials said that there was no information to corroborate the threats. The origin of the threat is now under investigati…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
School Community Chipping In To Support Children Whose Mother Was Killed By DC Drive-By Shooter School Community Chipping In To Support Children Whose Mother Was Killed By DC Drive-By Shooter
School Community Chipping In To Support Children Whose Mother Was Killed By DC Drive-By Shooter Friends and family are rallying around the family of a beloved mother of three who was one of two people whose lives were "needlessly taken" by a drive-by shooter in Southwest DC late last month. Gun violence in DC hit close to home for the Van Ness Elementary School family following the loss of 35-year-old Patricia Harris, a popular member of the school's community who was shot on Dec. 21 while walking not far from Nationals Park. She leaves behind three children between the ages of 4 and 14, and now support is swelling for the kids, who will have to be taken care of by other family member…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Virginia High School Evacuated Due To Fire In Bathroom Virginia High School Evacuated Due To Fire In Bathroom
Virginia High School Evacuated Due To Fire In Bathroom A small fire forced the evacuation of a Virginia high school shortly after students came to class on Wednesday morning, officials say. Crews from the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were called to South Lakes High School in the 11400 block of South Lakes Drive in Reston at around 9:15 a.m. on Jan. 3 to investigate a reported fire. The building was evacuated as a precaution, and officials say that investigators were quickly able to locate the fire inside a bathroom in the building. Firefighters were able to survey the situation and extinguished the fire without incident. There wer…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teacher Accused Of Grabbing Student At Virginia Elementary School Charged Teacher Accused Of Grabbing Student At Virginia Elementary School Charged
Teacher Accused Of Grabbing Student At Virginia Elementary School Charged A longtime educator working in Prince William County is facing charges after allegedly putting her hands on a student inside an elementary school, officials say. Christine Annette Mitchell, 60, was charged following a weeks-long investigation into a reported assault involving a 9-year-old girl at Marshall Elementary School in Manassas late last month. According to the Prince William County Police Department, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, officers were called to the school on Kahns Road in Manassas to launch an investigation into reports that the girl was grabbed and dragged from one classroom into…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teacher's Assistant Accused Of Pushing Child Inside Virginia Middle School: Police Teacher's Assistant Accused Of Pushing Child Inside Virginia Middle School: Police
Teacher's Assistant Accused Of Pushing Child Inside Virginia Middle School: Police A staff member at a Prince William County middle school is facing charges for allegedly putting his hands on a 12-year-old student, police say. Triangle Paul Opoku Ampem, 60, a teacher's assistant at Belville Middle School in Woodbridge has been arrested and charged with assault and battery after allegedly grabbing and pushing a child, authorities announced on Wednesday. According to police, late last week, the School Resource Officer assigned to the building was notified about Opoku Ampem, who is accused of walking in a hallway, grabbing the student by the shoulders and pushing him in…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Took Photo Of Classmate Inside HS Bathroom In PWC, Posted It On Social Media, Police Say Teen Took Photo Of Classmate Inside HS Bathroom In PWC, Posted It On Social Media, Police Say
Teen Took Photo Of Classmate Inside HS Bathroom In PWC, Posted It On Social Media, Police Say Social media reared its ugly head, and now two teens will have to pick up the pieces after an inappropriate picture taken inside a Prince William County high school bathroom was shared amongst classmates. Last week, a School Resource Officer assigned to the Hylton High School in Woodbridge concluded an investigation into an inappropriate photo that was taken last month inside the building, according to police. Officials say that on Monday, Nov. 20, a 15-year-old student took a picture of another minor inside a school restroom, which was later posted on a social media app.  No details …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Teen Found Shot Near KIPP DC College Preparatory HS (DEVELOPING) Teen Found Shot Near KIPP DC College Preparatory HS (DEVELOPING)
Teen Found Shot Near Kipp DC College Preparatory HS (Developing) One person was injured in a shooting near a Northeast DC school on Friday morning, officials say. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway NE near Sixth Street NE to investigate a shooting that reportedly left a teen with a gunshot wound. Shooting Investigation in the 1400 block of Brentwood Parkway, NE. Lookout is for a male with a bush hairstyle, 120 to 130lbs, 5"6' to 5"7' driving a white Hyundai Elantra and armed with a handgun. — DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) December 1, 2023 The shooting was reported on the same b…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
Virginia Middle School Locked Down Due To Written Threat (DEVELOPING) Virginia Middle School Locked Down Due To Written Threat (DEVELOPING)
Virginia Middle School Locked Down Due To Written Threat (Developing) An Arlington middle school has been locked down on Tuesday afternoon. At around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, an alert was issued by the Arlington County Police Department advising that officers are investigating reports of a written threat at Gunston Middle School. Arlington Public School officials placed the building on lockdown while police investigated the threat. .@APSGunston is currently in lockdown due to a threat. Do not come to the school. More information will be provided as it becomes available. — Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) November 14, 2023 The nature of the threat ha…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
TEAR-JERKER: Stunned DC Teacher Surprised With $25K National Award (PHOTOS, VIDEO) TEAR-JERKER: Stunned DC Teacher Surprised With $25K National Award (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Tear-jerker: Stunned DC Teacher Surprised With $25K National Award (Photos, Video) Kelly Maranchuck seemed to be in disbelief. She stood in the auditorium of the BASIS Public Charter School with the faculty, staff, and students, as officials from the Milken Family Foundation Executive Vice President Richard Sandler prepared to call out the winner of this year's $25,000 award. The national Milken Educator Award goes to early to mid-career educators for what they have achieved. And this year, that's Maranchuck: An English Language Arts teacher who serves as Senior Curriculum Coordinator and Instructional Coach for grades 5-12. The camera pans to Maranchuck as her name is…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff 8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff
8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff Authorities are investigating a string of overdoses at a Loudoun County high school. New information from the county sheriff's office reveals eight students suffered opioid related overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling, seven of which happened in the last three weeks. Four of the overdoses occurred in the school, three of which required the administration of Narcan, the sheriff's office said. Two of those required CPR by school personnel. All the overdoses appear to involve fentanyl, which is commonly found in the form of a counterfeit 30 mg oxycodone pill that is blue, circular, a…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Fauquier Schools Supt. Addresses Antisemitic Comment Made At Board Meeting: 'Not Who We Are' Fauquier Schools Supt. Addresses Antisemitic Comment Made At Board Meeting: 'Not Who We Are'
Fauquier Schools Supt. Addresses Antisemitic Comment Made At Board Meeting: 'Not Who We Are' Dr. Major Warner, Superintendent of the Fauquier Public School District, issued a formal apology at a board meeting this week following an anti-Semitic comment made last month. The comment was made by the district's health coordinator, Pam Trude, who shared the district's school nurse summary report on the Sept. 11 meeting. "We're making it work, we look for sales, we Jew people down, we do anything we can do to make our dollar last," Trude said while discusing the tight budget. "Right girls?" Warner addressed the comment at this week's meeting. "We did have one of our employees make a co…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Teacher Accused Of Assaulting 11-Year-Old In Virginia Middle School Cafeteria, Police Say Teacher Accused Of Assaulting 11-Year-Old In Virginia Middle School Cafeteria, Police Say
Teacher Accused Of Assaulting 11-Year-Old In Virginia Middle School Cafeteria, Police Say An educator in Virginia found herself on the wrong side of the law after allegedly getting physical with a child during an incident at an area elementary school. Theresa Lillian White, 61, was charged following an investigation by the School Resource Officer assigned to Belville Middle School in Woodbridge following an alleged assault of an 11-year-old student, the Prince William County Police Department announced on Monday. The Woodbridge resident allegedly was in the cafeteria when she grabbed the child's neck before he was able to get free.  Police say that the boy went to the main…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
These 10 Virginia Schools Won Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Awards These 10 Virginia Schools Won Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Awards
These 10 Virginia Schools Won Prestigious National Blue Ribbon Awards Ten Virginia schools won the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award. The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday, Sept. 19 recognized 353 schools across the country as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023.  The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. The ten Virginia schools that won are: Charlottesville Catholic School (Non-Public), Charlottesville Edwin W Chittum Elementary School, Chesapeake Fancy Gap Elementary School, Fancy Gap J.W. Adams Combined School, Pound Kett…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Stafford High School Evacuated After Threat Reported (UPDATED) Stafford High School Evacuated After Threat Reported (UPDATED)
Stafford High School Evacuated After Threat Reported (Updated) A Virginia high school had to be evacuated on Tuesday afternoon as the sheriff's office investigated reported threats made targeting the building. At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, deputies from the Stafford County Sheriff's Office received a threat toward Stafford High School, prompting the precautionary evacuation. The nature of the threat was not disclosed by the sheriff, which noted that all students and staff were safe. At 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, the sheriff's office said that they were working with school staff to dismiss students, and there will be an increased police…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Schools
U.S. News Ranks Virginia's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List U.S. News Ranks Virginia's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List
U.S. News Ranks Virginia's Top Public High Schools: Here's How It Compares To Niche's List Days after Daily Voice reported on Niche's list of Best High Schools in Virginia, U.S. News & World Report has released its own. U.S. News studies data from nearly 25,000 public high schools across the country, with a focus on how well students are prepared for college and performance on state assessments, the website says. Here are the top 10 best public high schools in Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report: No. 1 - Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria (which also ranked No. 5 in the nation). No. 2 - Open High School, Richmond …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Virginia High School Ranks No. 5 In America On New List Virginia High School Ranks No. 5 In America On New List
Virginia High School Ranks No. 5 In America On New List Just one week after Daily Voice reported Niche's list of best public high schools in Virginia, U.S. News & World Report released its own rankings. According to the U.S. News rankings, one Virginia high school came in at No. 5 for best in the country. That's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria. According to the US News report, TJHSST "uses a STEM-focused curriculum that culminates with a technical lab project for seniors.  "The school offers courses like DNA science, advanced marine biology, automation and robotics, architectural drawing and desig…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Best Colleges In Virginia: Website Releases 2024 Rankings Best Colleges In Virginia: Website Releases 2024 Rankings
Best Colleges In Virginia: Website Releases 2024 Rankings The grades have been posted. Just in time for the 2023-24 school year, Niche.com has released its list of best colleges in Virginia Click here to read up on how the list was compiled. The top five universities in Virginia according to Niche are: No. 1. University of Virginia, Charlottesville No. 2. Washington and Lee University, Lexington No. 3. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg No. 4. William & Mary, Williamsburg No. 5. University of Richmond Click here for Niche's full list of best colleges in Virginia for 2024.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
Again? Swatting Incident Evacuates Stafford High School Two Days In A Row Again? Swatting Incident Evacuates Stafford High School Two Days In A Row
Again? Swatting Incident Evacuates Stafford High School Two Days In A Row Yet another swatting incident evacuated Stafford High School. The treat was called into the school at 9 a.m., just one day after two swatting incidents evacuated both Stafford and Brooke Point high schools at dismissal. "Due to the increase in swatting calls, deputies will be providing additional coverage at all of our public schools," the sheriff's office said. "The investigation is ongoing." Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
These Are The Best High Schools In Spotsylvania: Report These Are The Best High Schools In Spotsylvania: Report
These Are The Best High Schools In Spotsylvania: Report The grades are in, and these Spostylvania high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, these schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 report on the "Best Public High schools in Spotsylvania County. Riverbend High School scored the highest in the area with an A-. Its strengths are diversity, college prep, and clubs/activities, and its weakness administration. Courtland High School earned a B+; while Massoponax, Chancellor and Spotsylvania high schools all earned a B-. Click here for the …

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Schools
These Are The Best High Schools In Stafford: Report These Are The Best High Schools In Stafford: Report
These Are The Best High Schools In Stafford: Report The grades are in, and these Stafford high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering a number of key areas, these schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 report on the "Best Public High schools in Stafford County." No. 1: Colonial Forge, A No. 2: Mountain View, A- No. 3: North Stafford, A- No. 4: Brooke Point, B No. 5: Stafford Senior HS, B Colonial Forge earned an A in diversity; an A- in academics, college prep, and clubs/activities, and a B+ in teachers and administration. Niche's list of best public high school…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine