Highlights & Accomplishments

Academic Recognitions:

• 930 students graduated from RCPS in June 2026, the largest graduating class in school division history
• Career & Technical Education (CTE) students received 2,502 industry certifications during the 2025-2026 school year, the most in school division history.
• Students who complete a two-year CTE program have a 100% graduation rate.
• Nearly 50 students who participated in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program graduated in 2026, with a 100% graduation rate.
• Five RCPS seniors received scholarships from the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke
  • Patrick Henry High School: Brinna Seidel
  • William Fleming High School: Xen Wajed, Camila Moctezuma Carrizales, Ernesto Gomez Meza, Daniel Horne Jr.
• Noah Sparks, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, earned 10th place in the Virginia Spring Microsoft Office Specialist State Championship Spring Qualifier, sponsored by Certiport, with a perfect score in Microsoft Word 365.
• Jakese Brawley of William Fleming High School and the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center earned the second highest score in Virginia on the Microsoft Word Exam, earning a perfect score.
• Andre Chapman of William Fleming High School and the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center was named Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia's Student of the Year. 

Fine Arts Recognitions:

• Patrick Henry High School's music department received the Blue Ribbon Award from the Virginia Music Educators Association.
• Patrick Henry's Chamber Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Wind Band, and Symphonic Band, and William Fleming's Symphonic Band earned unanimous overall Superior ratings by the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors' Association (VBODA) in March 2026.
  • Patrick Henry High School's band received the Virginia Honor Band Award in March 2026
• William Fleming High School’s Orchestra received an Excellent rating at the VBODA District VI Concert Assessment in March 2026.
• James Madison Middle School's Symphonic Band received a rating of II at the VBODA District VI Concert Assessment in March 2026.
• William Fleming High School’s Chamber Choir and Concert Choir both earned unanimous Superior ratings at the Virginia Choral Director's Association's (VCD) assessment in March 2026.
• Patrick Henry High School’s Choirs received the following VCDA assessment ratings in March 2026: Chamber Choir (Superior), Women’s Choir (Excellent), and Men’s Choir (Excellent).
• Patrick Henry High School students Archer Eades and Charlotte Hally were selected for the All-Virginia Choir with the highest district scores for their voice parts in April 2026.
• 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.

Athletic Recognitions:

• Elijah Thomas of William Fleming received the 2026 B’nai B’rith Athletic and Achievement Award
• Niav Murphy of Patrick Henry placed 1st in the Class 5 State Outdoor Track & Field 3,200 meters
  • She was also the Regional 5C Champion for 3,200 meters and 1,600 meters
• Tomashaniq Phillips of Patrick Henry placed 2nd in both the Class 5 State Outdoor Track & Field discus throw and shotput
  • She was also the Regional 5C Champion for Shotput 
• Ana Maria Rincon of Patrick Henry placed 1st in the Class 5 State Girls' Tennis singles
  • She was also the Regional 5C Champion
• Ana Maria and Kathryn Rincon, both of Patrick Henry, placed 1st in the Class 5 State Girls' Tennis doubles
  • They were also the Regional 5C Champions
• Rodney Balisage of William Fleming was the Regional 5C Champion for Boys Outdoor Track & Field for discus. 
• Ernesto Gomez-Meza of William Fleming was named the Boys Soccer Blue Ridge District Player of the Year
• Teegen Bowen of Patrick Henry was the Region 5C Champion in wrestling and placed 3rd in the Class 5 State Championship.
• William Fleming Girls Basketball were State 5C Runners-Up
• Cameron Hairston-Taylor of Patrick Henry was the Region 5C and State 5C Champion in Boys Indoor Track (Long Jump)
• Tomashaniq Phillips of Patrick Henry was the Region 5C and State 5C Champion in Girls Indoor Track (Shot Put).
• Niav Murphy of William Fleming earned All-Region honors in Girls Indoor Track, placing 3rd in the 3200M.
• Cameron Hairston-Taylor of Patrick Henry High School was named the River Ridge District Football Player of the Year, and was 1st Team-All State and 1st Team All-Region 5C.
• Kamharie Steelman and Jovanny Gonzalez of William Fleming High School were named the Blue Ridge District Offensive and Defensive Football Players of the Year respectively. Kahmarie was also 1st Team All-Region 5C, and Kahmarie was 1st Team All-Region 5C and 2nd Team All-State.
• Niav Murphy of Patrick Henry High School was named 1st Team All-Region 5C for Cross Country.
• Angela McKenzie of Patrick Henry High School was named 1st Team All-Region 5C for Volleyball.

Staff/School Board Recognitions:

• Chief Financial Officer Kathleen Jackson received the Virginia Association of School Business Officials' annual prestigious Cardinal Award.
• Jack Esworthy of William Fleming was named the River Ridge District Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.
• Patrick Henry High School Football Coach Alan Fiddler was named River Ridge District Coach of the Year, and recognized for his 100th win as the team's head coach.
• William Fleming High School Football Coach Nick Leftwich was named Blue Ridge District Coach of the Year.
• School Board Member Joyce Watkins was elected to serve as the Virginia School Boards Association's (VSBA) Legislative Positions/Federal Relations Committee Chair.
• Information Security Coordinator Lucas Reynard was named Connection I.T. Solutions' 2025 IT Superhero Awards "Best Rookie."
• Kaicey Manns of James Breckinridge Middle School was named Roanoke City Public Schools' 2026 Teacher of the Year.
• Joann Hamidullah of Hurt Park Elementary School was named Roanoke City Public Schools' 2026 Support Staff of the Year.
• RCPS 2025 Leaders of the Year: Dr. Kristen English of Westside Elementary School was named Principal of the Year, Dr. Tracey Hoffman was named Assistant Principal of the Year, and Carl McDaniel of the Fiscal Services Department was named the Doris N. Ennis Central Office Leader of the Year. 
• Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC) Automotive Teacher Derek Wray achieved the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence’s World Class Technician status, which only 2,000 automotive workers in the whole world have achieved since 1986. Mr. Wray is also only one of three Virginians to achieve the credential this year.
• RCPS had several teachers, staff, and Education Foundation members honored as the United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge annual Heroes Project:
  • Bryan Ashford (Education) - Health & Physical Education, James Breckinridge Middle School; Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, William Fleming High School
  • Jessie Coffman (Volunteerism) - Secretary, RCPS Education Foundation and Secretary, Roanoke City Central Council PTA
  • Dr. Kristen English (Education) - Principal, Westside Elementary School
  • George "DJ Dink" Harrington (Education) - Barbering, Charles W. Day Technical Education Center
  • Richard Wilson (Leadership) - Head Girls Basketball Coach, William Fleming High School

School Recognitions:

• The Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC) was named as Babcox Media Tomorrow’s Technician 2025-2026 School of the Year, sponsored by WIX Filters and O'Reilly Auto Parts
• Crystal Spring, Grandin Court, and Wasena Elementary Schools were labeled "Distinguished" under the Virginia Department of Education's new School Performance & Support Framework. 

• All of our schools' preschool programs either met or exceeded expectations in the Virginia Department of Education's annual VBQ5 early childhood measurement system. In addition, Virginia Heights Elementary School was named to the Excellence Honor Roll (top 3% of locations in the Commonwealth), and both Crystal Spring Elementary and Grandin Court Elementary were named to the Improvement Honor Roll (top 10% in state).

Division Recognitions:

• The U.S. Department of Education named RCPS as one of nine national winners in the inaugural Career Z Challenge — a multi-year, multi-phase competition designed to expand and accelerate high-quality work-based learning experiences for students.
• RCPS received a $450,000 state grant to increase solar storage capabilities at Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools and be home to the first microgrid installation of its kind at any K-12 school in Virginia.
• The Community Empowerment Center at Booker T. Washington earned the "Community Hub" designation and the LIFT Center at Fallon Park Elementary School received the "Community Schools" designation from the Virginia Department of Education. These designations are given to sites that intentionally form strong partnerships with families and the community to prepare each student for success.
• The original Lucy Addison High School building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. Additionally, a highway marker recognizing Miss Lucy Addison was approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and installed in December 2025. 
• The NAMM Foundation has named RCPS one of the Best Communities for Music Education in 2026, one of only 28 school divisions in Virginia to receive this recognition. This is the 14th consecutive year the division has been recognized. 
• RCPS received the national Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) Seal from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), becoming only the third school division in Virginia to receive this honor. The TLE Seal recognizes school systems that show strong, division-wide practices to protect student information.
• RCPS received the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) for fiscal year 2025-26. RCPS has received the award for excellence in budget presentation for eight years in a row.  
• RCPS received two awards from the Chesapeake Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association in the following categories: Calendar (Parent Handbook Calendar) and Special Purpose Publication (The Roadmap to Strategic Success: Strategic Plan). 
• RCPS received three awards from the National School Public Relations Association in the following catergories: Video Series (Teacher, Support Staff, and Leader of the Year Videos, Marketing Material (Community Empowerment Center Grip Card), and Special Purpose Publication (Legacy Wall).
• Roanoke City Public Schools received five recognitions from the Roanoker Magazine's Best of Roanoke Annual Reader Poll during the 2024-2025 school year:
  • Quiana Fields of Hurt Park Elementary School was named Best Educator - Platinum 
  • The Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) was named Best Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center - Silver
  • Dr. Verletta White, Superintendent, was named Female Star of the Star City - Bronze 
  • Patrick Henry High School was named Best Public School - Bronze
  • RCPS was named Best Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center - Bronze 

RCPS is committed to equipping our students with what they need to succeed:

• RCPS launched the Imagination Library of Roanoke in June 2026 as part of Dolly Parton's Imagination LIbrary, ensuring all children ages 0-5 in Roanoke City have access to free, high-quality books every month.
• The Early Literacy Academy offers elementary families in grades pre-K through 2nd with practical, meaningful ways to support early reading success, featuring community resources and take-home materials.
• Nearly two dozen career paths are offered in Career and Technical Education. RCPS doubled its CTE seat capacity in 2024 with the opening of the Charles W. Day Technical Education Center (DAYTEC) adjacent to William Fleming High School.
• RCPS' CTE Foundation provided more than $35,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, and raised more than $40,000 during the 2026 CTE Extravaganza.
• The Staying Safe by Staying Connected programming focused on academics, athletics, and the arts to keep students safe and connected.
• Community Builders provides 8th grade students with the opportunity to explore career pathways and how they can become involved in their community, to keep them connected to their schools. The Virginia School Boards Association recognized the program with its inaugural Showcasing Innovation Award in 2025, and the program became a statewide demonstration site in 2026.
• RCPS hosted the fifth annual student RCPS Works Job Fair, which connected more than 90 hiring business and organizations with more than 150 students.
• The Success Plan for students who are English Learners sets specific goals centered on highly effective targeted language instruction, high-quality professional learning, and meaningful family engagement. The plan supports more than 2,300 students each year.
• Access to musical instruments in elementary schools thanks to VH1 Save the Music Foundation
• Free college tuition at Virginia Western Community College through the CCAP Program.