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VBCPS students outperform state on SOL tests
VBCPS students outperform state on SOL tests

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released Standard of Learning (SOL) pass rate data on Aug. 27. The overall SOL pass rates for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) exceeded the state pass rates in all subject areas.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 16th Year
Virginia Beach City Public Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 16th Year (opens in new window/tab)

For the 16th time, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

2025 Citywide Volunteers of the Year
2025 Citywide Volunteers of the Year (opens in new window/tab)

Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) values and promotes active engagement of the community in all our schools. The Office of Family and Community Engagement coordinates many volunteer opportunities for community members to interact and contribute to the academic achievement of our students and the overall continuous improvement of VBCPS.

2025-26 federal grant information presented to Virginia Beach School Board
2025-26 federal grant information presented to Virginia Beach School Board (opens in new window/tab)

The Virginia Beach School Board received information about proposed federal grant applications at its May 13 meeting. For the 2025-26 school year, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) would receive approximately $21.6 million in formula grant funds through programs authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA).

Substance Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP)

What is the Substance Abuse Intervention Program (SAIP)? 
SAIP is a five day substance abuse education and prevention program, designed for students in elementary (site based), middle, and high school, that is offered by the school division tuition-free. Transportation is provided. All absences associated with referral and completion of the SAIP are excused and are not to be counted when determining excessive absences of a student. The student will be provided classwork and homework material so that the student may remain current with school instruction while enrolled in school. A student may only attend SAIP once while enrolled in VBCPS.  

How is a student referred to SAIP? 
At the discretion of the principal, a student may be referred to SAIP in lieu of expulsion for drug and alcohol offenses, except in the case of sale or distribution of drugs or alcohol, which must result in a recommendation for expulsion. If the student or parent/legal guardian does not accept the offer of SAIP in lieu of expulsion, a recommendation for expulsion must be made. Following a hearing before a hearing officer, the parent/legal guardian would have the right to appeal the decision pursuant to School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Regulation 5-21.1.          

SAIP is also assigned for a third tobacco or nicotine violation during the school year. If the student or parent/legal guardian or contests the assignment of SAIP for a third tobacco or nicotine violation, a recommendation for long-term suspension must be made by the principal. Following a hearing before a hearing officer, the parent/legal guardian would have the right to appeal the decision pursuant to School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Regulation 5-21.1.            

SAIP may also be assigned by a hearing officer or School Board discipline committee as the result of a discipline hearing. 

During a student’s assignment to this program, the student is under the provisions of School Board of the City of Virginia Beach Regulation 5-21.1. This requires that the student be restricted/excluded as a participant or spectator from any extracurricular activity until reinstated in school. Further, the student is excluded from the home school unless prior permission is granted by the principal. 

Is SAIP available to students on a voluntary basis? 
Any student who voluntarily admits, in the absence of reasonable suspicion or other conduct which alone would subject the student to discipline, to a substance abuse problem shall not be disciplined in accordance with this regulation. The student is to be permitted to remain in school and may participate in SAIP on a voluntary basis. Absences associated with voluntary SAIP are not excused, unless there is a note provided (example doctor/dentist appointment, sick note). The student is not considered to be on OSS and is permitted to participate in activities.