At its meeting on September 17, the state Board of Education recognized Goochland County Public Schools as 1 of 15 School Divisions of Innovation.  We were recognized for designing and implementing alternatives to traditional instructional practices and schools structures that improve student learning and promote college and career readiness, and good citizenship.  These 15 divisions are the first to ever earn this designation.

Our school division was recognized for our efforts to provide students with opportunities for deep and enriching learning experiences and for our efforts to expand authentic work-based learning experiences.  This designation is a recognition of the exceptional work and talent of all of our division’s employees, our amazing students, and the ongoing support that we receive from our families, our volunteers, and our community.  The collective efforts of our entire school community have contributed to our division being a perennial top-tier school division in the Commonwealth.

“I think it is fair to say that innovation has never been more important in public education than today as schools across the commonwealth and nation focus on improving distance learning in the face of a pandemic, while addressing inequities in opportunities and outcomes,” Board of Education President Daniel Gecker said. “I congratulate the leaders of all these school divisions for creating innovative plans to address the challenges in their schools and engage their students in deeper learning across the curriculum.”

“Virginia’s 132 school divisions have a history of sharing innovative and promising practices to improve student learning and outcomes and the School Division of Innovation recognition program is a means of institutionalizing this collaborative process,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “I look forward to visiting all of these school divisions to see how their innovations are transforming teaching and learning.”

Goochland County Public Schools will retain this designation for three years.