Virginia Beach City Public Schools selects 2026 Model Partners

News Release No. 006
Date: 4/24/26

Contact: Ryan DeLucie
Phone: 757.263.1075 | Fax: 757.263.1010

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Students and staff of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) benefit from the support of over 1,700 community partners each year. Partnerships between community groups, businesses and schools are integral to public education in Virginia Beach. These partnerships are mutually supportive. They improve student wellness while enriching the relationship between schools, businesses, government agencies, faith-based groups and other organizations.

Model Partners were selected from nominations of exemplary school-community collaborations that support academic growth and social and emotional learning.

The Model Partners supply innovative programs that show:

• Clearly articulated purpose
• Significant impact on students’ academic achievement and personal growth
• Documented results
• Mutual benefits

The school division’s 2026 Model Partnerships are:

• Advanced Technology Center and Burns & McDonnell, Architecture Department
• Bayside High School and Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & the Eastern Shore
• Birdneck Elementary School and Be A Reader (BeAR) Reading & Mentoring Program
• Brookwood Elementary School and Brookwood Elementary School PTA
• College Park Elementary School and Norfolk State University Scholars
• Kempsville High School and Zeiders American Dream Theater
• Landstown Middle School and Walmart, Salem Crossing
• Luxford Elementary School and Bayside High School Teachers for Tomorrow
• Malibu Elementary School and Gary Garner, United States Tennis Association
• Salem Middle School and Agape Travel & Tours
• Tallwood High School and BayPort Credit Union
• Technical & Career Education Center and Snow Jr. & King Inc.
• Virginia Beach Middle School and the ViBe Creative District
• White Oaks Elementary School and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 392

The partnerships provide everything from job experience to food security for students, as well as highly skilled future professionals for the Model Partners. Here is a sampling of what participants have to say:

• "The partnership between our school and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore addresses food insecurity among students and families while supporting the school division’s strategic plan, Compass to 2030. Through this collaboration, our school serves as a trusted access point where students and parents receive food in a respectful and supportive setting." -Lisa Strader, English teacher, Bayside High School
• "The purpose of the partnership between our school and Be A Reader (BeAR), a literacy initiative of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, is to ensure that every participating student develops the foundational reading skills and confidence necessary for lifelong academic success. Through weekly one-on-one mentoring, BeAR volunteers provide structured literacy support to second-grade students who would benefit from additional reading practice and encouragement." -Karla Young, principal, Birdneck Elementary School
• "Through BayPort Credit Union's guidance and support, high school students have taken an active role in teaching financial literacy lessons to second-grade students. These lessons introduce essential money concepts — such as saving, spending and making responsible financial choices — at an early age, while also allowing high school students to develop leadership, communication and instructional skills." -Dr. Ryan O'Meara, principal, Tallwood High School

To learn more about these programs or related opportunities to support VBCPS, please contact Jennifer McGowan, school and community partnerships coordinator, at jennifer.mcgowan@vbschools.com or 757-263-1799.

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Department of Communications and Community Engagement
Email DCCE

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