A message from Dr. Nicely |
A look back at 2025... |
|
|  |
Dr. Ken Nicely Superintendent |
|
|
|
Dear RCPS parents,
As we close out the first semester, I wanted to send you and your families the very best of holiday wishes. We are concluding a successful first semester and I’m especially proud of all the hard work by our students and staff.
Over the past few weeks our students have participated in several activities and performances and I’m amazed at the outstanding talent our students demonstrate every day.
Recently the Va. Department of Education released the new School Quality Profile reports and I’m very proud that every school in Roanoke County is fully accredited. Further, ten of our schools, including every high school, is rated as Distinguished by the VDOE.
Earlier this month, Niche.com released their 2026 school rankings. I’m proud that Roanoke County Public Schools has again been ranked as the top public school division in the Roanoke Valley and we are ranked as the 10th best public school division in Virginia - up from 11th last year.
I encourage you to watch Opportunity Ready 2025: the State of the Schools video we released earlier this month for an in-depth look at how we are preparing our students to be Opportunity Ready, and to celebrate the successes of our students and staff in 2025.
Also, I encourage you to consider nominating a teacher for the 2026 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. Nominations are open until January 15, 2026. Over the holiday break, I hope you will have time to rest, relax and enjoy time with friends and loved ones. We look forward to seeing our students back in class on January 6, 2026.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! |
|
| |
|
Upcoming Important Dates and Events |
|
|
Dec. 22-Jan. 5 Schools Closed
Winter Break |
| |
Jan. 19 Schools Closed MLK, Jr. Day |
| |
Feb. 9
Schools Closed School Conferences |
|
Feb. 25 Early Dismissal
3 Hours |
|
| |
|
|
Roanoke County Public Schools excels in School Quality Profiles
|
|
|
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) published on Dec. 10, 2025 the 2025 edition of the Virginia School Quality Profiles. These profiles provide updated statewide data on student achievement, school performance, safety, teacher quality, and other metrics designed to give families, educators, and community members a clear view of how schools and divisions are doing across the commonwealth.
The School Quality Profiles offer division- and school-level breakdowns of key performance measures such as academic achievement on the state’s Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, college and career readiness, program completion, school environment, teacher quality, and more.
The 2025 release comes as part of the state’s new accountability system, the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Under SPSF, schools will be evaluated on multiple dimensions including “Mastery” (how well students meet or exceed SOL standards), “Growth” (year-over-year learning gains), “Readiness” (preparation for next stage of learning or career), and — for high schools — “Graduation.” This framework uses a 100-point scale to assign performance labels, offering a more nuanced overview of strengths and areas needing improvement.
Ten schools in Roanoke County have been rated as “Distinguished,” including all five high schools. |
Read More » |
|
|
|
|
The annual State of the Schools presentation, Opportunity Ready 2025 is now live on the Roanoke County Public Schools website at www.rcps.us/opportunityready2025. Hosted by Shelley Clemons, Chair of the Roanoke County School Board, the presentation highlights RCPS's accomplishments, innovative programs, and vision for the future of education.
"Opportunity Ready 2025 showcases the incredible progress our students, teachers, and staff have made this past year," said Clemons. "From innovative learning programs to world-class extracurricular achievements, RCPS continues to prepare students not just for graduation-but for life beyond high school."
Highlights of this year’s presentation include: Opportunity Ready Program Overview Schools and Facilities Updates Academic and Athletic Achievements Student Wellness and Safety Updates |
Watch Opportunity Ready 2025 » |
|
|
|
RCPS is tops in the Roanoke Valley and top 10 statewide |
|
| |
|
|
