A. R. Ware Elementary

Bessie Weller Elementary

Dixon Educational Center

T. C. McSwain Elementary

Shelburne Middle School

Staunton City Public Schools

Hero Image

Staunton City Schools has just been awarded the 2025 Top Virginia Employers for Interns Award by the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP).  SCS is one of 215 businesses and organizations awarded for providing high-quality internships to students.&#x20;

“These businesses are models for other employers. They are using innovative methods to help students apply their learning, develop practical work-based skills, and strengthen Virginia’s efforts to prepare the future workforce,” said Scott Fleming, director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.&#x20;

There will be an awards luncheon for recipients at JMU on May 6.&#x20;

V-TOP is administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in partnership with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. It is funded by the General Assembly’s Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program. SCS

SCS Named 2025 Top Virginia Employer for Interns

On April 8 at Blue Ridge Community College, five Shelburne Middle School 7th-graders competed in the local round of the [National Civics Bee](https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee/), a nationwide competition to inspire young minds to engage with American democracy.&#x20;

After answering 20 civics questions and sharing their essay ideas with a panel of judges, two of them placed in the Top 3 and will move on to compete in the state competition.&#x20;

Congratulations to Tzophia Francis for placing 2nd and to Promise Wayland for placing 3rd in the competition! The two students won cash prizes of $250 and $125, respectively, and will compete in Williamsburg in June.

One finalist from each state will have the chance to compete in the national championship in Washington, D.C. this fall. Teaching staff, Corrina Hunter, Dr. Jennifer Turner, Michelle Freed, Teley Tate and Tara Walters have been working with the students to prepare for the competition.&#x20;

*Pictured top (l-r): Promise Wayland, 3rd place, and Tzophia Francis, 2nd place.*

*Pictured bottom (l-r): Olivia Brooks, Tzophia Francis, Asia Clerfius, Ellen Miller and Promise Wayland.*

Two 7th-Graders Headed to State Competition in National Civics Bee

From hosting prestigious district events to earning top honors at state assessments, SCS students and staff continue to demonstrate their talent and passion for music.

A total of [57 Staunton City middle and high school students](https://files.constantcontact.com/c4ee3ea3801/b62e6293-025e-4b0c-8d1d-0aedea98aef1.pdf?_gl=1*7ujhew*_ga*OTgwODI0NjEwLjE3NDIzODk5NzQ.*_ga_14T5LGLSQ3*MTc0MjM5ODI3NS4zLjEuMTc0MjM5ODQ2Ni41Ni4wLjA.)[ ](https://files.constantcontact.com/c4ee3ea3801/b62e6293-025e-4b0c-8d1d-0aedea98aef1.pdf?_gl=1*1i0o52a*_ga*OTgwODI0NjEwLjE3NDIzODk5NzQ.*_ga_14T5LGLSQ3*MTc0MjM5ODI3NS4zLjEuMTc0MjM5ODQ5Ny4yNS4wLjA.)were recently accepted into at least one honors ensemble, and six students participated in three or more honors ensembles.

Student Musicians Shine During 'Music in Our Schools Month'

Participants in the Shelburne Middle School District Choir

The Staunton City Schools music community invites the public to the **5th Annual** [**Party in the Park** ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rKKz1VUSt6W77yL0nErVS2Xtjq5AXvd6/view?usp=sharing)**on** **Sunday, May 4, from 3-7 p.m. at the Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand.**

***

This free concert celebrates Staunton's student musicians and spotlights the division's music program. It will feature performances by the bands and choirs from Staunton High School, Shelburne Middle School, and Bessie Weller, McSwain, and Ware Elementary schools. Attendees can also enjoy food and beverages from six local food trucks.&#x20;

Party in the Park at Gypsy Hill Park May 4

Karen Grady, a first-grade teacher at Ware Elementary School, has been named the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 5 by the Virginia Department of Education. Grady has been a teacher and a mentor for 25 years.   We congratulate her on this great achievement! Mrs. Grady is the fourth Staunton City Schools teacher to win this award since 2020.

Read more: [https://ow.ly/6mgG50VhrR4](https://ow.ly/6mgG50VhrR4?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3qSnNc8XzPrIg9u-XGI64sAecS2kf0vJbcrhC1oNEik5UaFd1q7DCyAS8\_aem_LaFH_FBuqS1pnsr6BhdMuQ)

Karen Grady Named 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year for Region 5

Karen Grady with superintendent garett smith, state super Dr. Lisa Coons and Ware Elementary principal Billy Brown

Congratulations to [Karen Grady](https://bit.ly/4gTeH3g), our 2024-25 Division Teacher of the Year, and [Debbie Bryd](https://bit.ly/3CckAt9), our 2024-25 Division Support Person of the Year, both from Ware Elementary School. Mrs. Grady is a first-grade teacher, and Mrs. Byrd is the school's bookkeeper.

The Staunton School Board celebrated their excellence and devotion to serving our students and families at the January 13 school board meeting. We appreciate their positive and lasting impact on our learning community!

Division Teacher and Support Person of the Year Announced

Staunton City Schools (SCS) is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year and Support Staff of the Year. 

Seven teachers and seven support staff members were selected through peer nominations. Staff members voted for one Teacher of the Year and one Support Staff Person of the Year in their school or department. A committee then chose one honoree in each category.

The following staff were honored at the school board meeting on December 9, and a Staunton Lions Club representative presented each of them with a token of appreciation:

[Read more](https://conta.cc/3DfLel1).

Staunton City Schools Announces 2024-2025 Teachers and Support Staff of the Year

[Register Here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc97oTCOp2WiWYRa5SlUuuvWYu3NKN-8hF0VQweGc1v4Nji9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link)

Teacher Job Fair

District News

Staunton High School - Studio Theater

May 9 & 10 at 7:30 pm and May 11 at 2:30 pm

Tickets are $10

Note: There is limited seating with a maximum audience of 100 for each show.

Parental Guidance: This play explores mature themes and there is language that may not be acceptable for younger children.

Staunton High School

Storm Theater presents The Weir

Summer Bridge is a  2 day program to help rising 9th graders get acclimated to the physical layout of the school, meet and form relationships with current SHS students (Storm Ambassadors) and some staff and ask questions to relieve any concerns or anxieties about transitioning to high school. This summer the program will be June 20-21.


To sign up[ click here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8uFgH1XryQaUEHOpeY1i3gGn6uuTJ9rbHEmzQtlZNtEpKeQ/viewform).

For the flyer in Spanish [click here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BIhVuxdlJktPHcKZKVyAf_9A6xJH3IFN/view?usp=sharing).

Summer Bridge 2025

After Prom at YMCA 

presented by the SHS PTSA

11:00-1:00- Free food, games and prizes!

After Prom 2025

Junior /Senior Prom 2025 - April 26th 7:00 at Blackburn Inn - If you plan to bring an outside guest, forms are in the front office.  **These forms are due back to the school by Wednesday,  April 23rd at 3:30****.** 

Senior Walk and Prom Court will begin at 9PM.


Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from Avoli-Miller room 302.  Please make checks payable to Staunton High School or bring cash for tickets. 

Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Prom 2025

The Storm Marching Band recently placed 2nd and won Best Music in Class A at the JMU Parade of Champions. Last month, they performed in the Blast in the Draft competition at Stuarts Draft High School and won 1st place overall in Class A, 1st place in music and visual, 2nd place in general effect, and 3rd in percussion and color guard.

Congratulations to all who had a hand in these achievements!

Staunton High School

Principal Announcements

FIND US