Graduation Rate Increases

The on-time graduation rate for Chesterfield County Public Schools improved to 87.8 percent in 2010, up from 85.9 percent the previous year, according to figures released today by the Virginia Department of Education. Chesterfield students continued to outperform their peers across Virginia; Virginia’s on-time graduation rate is 85.5 percent in 2010 and was 83.3 percent in 2009.

Students graduating on time is a key measure of success in Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Design for Excellence strategic plan, which includes strategies for increasing the percentage of students who graduate in four years with a standard or advanced diploma.

Students, teachers, parents and school leaders can all celebrate the fact that more Chesterfield students are graduating from high school in four years. Chesterfield’s rigorous curriculum prepares our graduates for their futures, while our support systems help students stay in school even when life gets complicated.

Principal for a Day

On Wednesday, the school division and the Chesterfield Business Council co-hosted the fourth annual Principal for a Day program. More than 30 local business leaders signed up to shadow a school principal. In participating, business leaders gain insights into what a principal experiences during a typical day by observing and participating in activities such as patrolling the building and grounds, bus duty, morning announcements, classroom walk-throughs, responding to crises, conferences and phone calls, team or faculty meetings, lunch duty and assemblies. This opportunity also affords the business community a chance to see 21st century skills in practice and to discuss with school leaders ways businesses and schools can work together to support student achievement.

What does the future hold for Chesterfield County Public Schools?

A series of forums featuring dynamic speakers will offer information, pose questions and seek answers. Invited to attend these forums on the future are community members, business leaders, parents, teachers, students and school administrators.

Taking place 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays this fall, the forums begin the process of updating the strategic plan of Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Admission to the forums is free; reservations are not required.

The schedule of speakers is available on the school division’s website, www.chesterfield.k12.va.us. The series kicks off on Oct. 20 with a presentation titled “A World Without Boxes.” A brick-and-mortar school isn’t the only place to learn. Online classes made it possible for Joel Erb to complete high school while running the marketing agency he founded when he was 15 and continues to lead today.

http://chesterfield.k12.va.us/CCPS/instruction/files/Educational%20Forum%20flier.pdf