Our Strategic Plan

Compass to 2030: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow

Virginia Beach City Public Schools is committed to helping every student grow, thrive, and lead—today and in the future.

Compass to 2030 is our strategic framework, shaped by community input and shared values. It focuses on:

Challenging and supporting each student to excel and be future ready
Enhancing student well-being, resilience, and responsibility
Valuing and investing in staff
Partnering with families and the community to support students
Advancing organizational excellence

At the center is the VBCPS Future-Ready Profile, which describes the skills, habits, and mindsets students will build throughout their PK–12 journey.

Together, we can create schools where every student is ready to learn today and lead tomorrow.

Check out the resources below to learn more about Compass to 2030, how we’re measuring success, and our Future-Ready Profile.

Our Strategic Plan

VBCPS is committed to preparing every child to be future ready with the goal of eliminating achievement and opportunity gaps so that all students maximize their potential.

Measuring Success

Coming Soon!

Our Future-Ready Profile

For Elementary School Students

Preparing All Students to Be Future Ready

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Learn important skills and keep learning their whole life

CRITICAL THINKERS

Ask good questions, look at all the facts, and find the best way to solve problems

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Keep trying, learn from mistakes, and manage emotions

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Respect and understand people from different backgrounds, and know how to get along with them

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Take responsibility for their actions and do good things for their community

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Work well with others by sharing ideas, listening, and solving problems together

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Build strong reading, writing, and math skills
Explore many different subjects and ideas
Set goals and keep learning by trying new things
Keep learning in and out of school

CRITICAL THINKERS

Think hard and use all the facts
Ask good questions to understand more
Find creative ways to solve problems
Make smart choices after thinking things through

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Keep going when things are tough
Use strategies to stay calm and focused
Learn from mistakes and use them to grow
Ask for help when needed and try again

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Respect everyone’s culture and background
Include others, no matter how they look or talk
Learn about different traditions and holidays
Use kind words and don’t judge differences

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Help others and set a good example
Take responsibility for their actions
Listen to ideas and lead with kindness
Do what’s right, even when no one is watching

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Share their ideas and listen to others
Work together to solve problems
Make sure everyone gets a turn to talk
Build on each other’s ideas to make them better

For Middle School Students

Preparing All Students to Be Future Ready

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Keep learning and apply new knowledge to strive for self-improvement

CRITICAL THINKERS

Ask good questions, look at all the facts, and find the best way to solve problems

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Adjust to change by responding productively and managing emotions

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Respect and understand their own and other cultures, and stay aware of how global issues affect people

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Take responsibility for their actions and do good things for their community

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Clearly express ideas, actively listen, consider different viewpoints, and work together to achieve common goals

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Demonstrate reading, writing, and math skills necessary for success
Try new things and build knowledge that helps in real life
Use what they learn to grow their interests and set goals
Keep learning in and out of school, even when it’s not required

CRITICAL THINKERS

Ask thoughtful questions and check facts carefully
Use information and creativity to solve problems in smart ways
Look at different sides of an issue
Consider different options and their possible outcomes before deciding

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Keep going when things get difficult
Learn from mistakes and bounce back
Use strategies to stay calm and focused
Handle change with a growth mindset

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Respect people’s differences and beliefs
Stay aware of what’s happening in the world and how it affects others
Learn about cultures besides their own
Include everyone and help others feel valued and supported

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Take responsibility for their actions and their work
Help others and make a positive difference
Make decisions that help their group and support their goals
Do what’s right and can be counted on by others

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Share their ideas clearly and respectfully
Work with all kinds of people to solve problems and reach shared goals
Listen actively and consider others’ perspectives
Build off others’ ideas to create stronger solutions as a team

For High School Students

Preparing All Students to Be Future Ready

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Keep learning and apply new knowledge to strive for self-improvement

CRITICAL THINKERS

Ask good questions, look at all the facts, and find the best way to solve problems

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Adjust to change by responding productively and managing emotions

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Respect and understand their own and other cultures, and stay aware of how global issues affect people

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Take responsibility for their actions and do good things for their community

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Clearly express ideas, actively listen, consider different viewpoints, and work together to achieve common goals

LIFELONG LEARNERS

Demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills—including financial and digital literacy— needed for success in school and life
Apply knowledge across subjects to solve real-world problems
Use reflection, goal setting, and feedback to improve themselves and pursue personal or professional goals
Stay curious and keep learning beyond high school

CRITICAL THINKERS

Solve problems by thinking carefully and logically
Ask thoughtful questions and verify information before making decisions
Look at problems from multiple angles to find creative and effective solutions
Apply learning to turn ideas into action

RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS

Keep going when things get tough and persevere through adversity
Face challenges with determination and a positive attitude
Manage emotions during stressful or challenging times
Maintain balance and well-being

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CITIZENS

Understand and respect their own and others’ cultures
Understand how global and local issues affect people from different cultures
Value differences and learn from them
Build relationships with people from different backgrounds

RESPONSIBLE LEADERS

Take initiative and follow through to make a difference—at school, at home, and in their community
Own their actions and lead by example
Learn from their mistakes
Listen to and include others when making decisions

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATORS

Communicate clearly, listen carefully, and share ideas with others
Work with others to reach shared goals and solve problems
Build on each other’s ideas and consider different points of view
Stay open-minded and work through disagreements as a team

Goals

Goal 1: Educational Excellence

Educational Excellence
Challenge and support ALL STUDENTS to excel in foundational literacies, core knowledge, and life skills

Challenge and support all students to excel academically by demonstrating the foundational literacies, core knowledge, and transferrable life skills outlined in the VBCPS Graduate Profile.

Equity emphasis:
Identify and address inequities in achievement outcomes by investigating and implementing best practices and seeking innovative solutions.

How we measure success:
All students meeting or exceeding academic standards and demonstrating attributes in the Graduate Profile

Student Well-Being
Support the physical and mental health of ALL STUDENTS and strengthen the social-emotional skills they need

Create an inclusive learning environment that supports the physical and mental health of all students and strengthens the social-emotional skills they need to become balanced, resilient learners who are personally and socially responsible.

Equity emphasis:
Engage in culturally responsive practices divisionwide. Identify and address inequities in discipline practices by investigating and implementing best practices and seeking innovative solutions.

How we measure success:
The social, emotional, and physical development of all students

Goal 3: Student Ownership Of Learning

Student Ownership of Learning
ALL STUDENTS make decisions throughout the learning process to help them find their passions and design their future

Engage all students in rigorous, authentic, and student-centered learning to help them identify their passions, take ownership of their learning, and create a plan for pursuing their postsecondary goals.

Equity emphasis:
Identify and address inequities in learning opportunities for students by investigating and implementing best practices and seeking innovative solutions.

How we measure success:
Increased number of engaged students graduating with an actionable plan for the future

Goal 4: Exemplary, Diversified Workforce

An Exemplary, Diversified Workforce
The best place to work where the best people want to work

Foster a positive working climate that values and invests in a high-quality, diversified workforce who exemplify the division’s core values.

Equity emphasis:
Place a priority on recruiting, retaining, and promoting a workforce representative of our diverse student population.

How we measure success:
The quality, diversity, and satisfaction of our workforce

Goal 5: Mutually Supportive Partnerships

Mutually Supportive Partnerships
Make and build connections to support all students before and after graduation

Cultivate mutually supportive partnerships among families, schools, the division, businesses, military, faith-based, civic and city agencies to support student well-being, enhance real-world learning, and broaden opportunities for career exploration and experience.

Equity emphasis:
Strengthen connections and communication with families and students in most need of additional support.

How we measure success:
Robust and growing relationships that support student learning and promote family empowerment

Goal 6: Organizational Effective And Efficient Operations

Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency
Effective and efficient use of resources to support the division’s vision, mission, and strategic goals

Pursue the effective and efficient use of division resources, operations, and processes to support the division’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.

Equity emphasis:
Ensure equitable distribution of human, fiscal, and capital resources across the division.

How we measure success:
The efficient and equitable use of division resources