The Old Dominion State of Virginia is home to nearly 2 million children, and parents have a variety of school choice options available to them. Public schools in Virginia are free for all school-age persons residing in the school division, as per Articles 22, 1-3 of the Code. This publication will break down the school choice options available to the children living in Virginia. The first state system of free public schools in Virginia was established in 1870 after the ratification of a new constitution.
Most of the teachers were African-American, but some were white, and some who moved to Virginia to teach remained in the state after the Freedmen's Office stopped operating schools in 1869. Petersburg created a system of racially segregated public schools in 1868 and Richmond in 1869, but in 1870 those schools and those in Norfolk were still the only public schools in the state. Decisive voters in both races repeatedly defeated political candidates who were willing to deprive the school fund (or burn down schools) in favor of paying the state's creditors. Soon after the start of the Civil War, four African-American women established two schools in Alexandria and another founded a school in Hampton. The constitutional convention met in Virginia from December 3, 1867 to April 17, 1868, and the new constitution, ratified in July 1869, included an article for the state's first public school system.
The constitution provided for a state board of education composed of the governor, the attorney general and the superintendent of public instruction and the popular election of three school administrators in each municipality in each county. Battle, per-pupil expenditures and teacher salaries remained below national averages, and the state ranked last nationally in the percentage of high school-age children who actually attend high school, and second to last among college-age children who go to college. In addition to traditional public schools, parents can also consider other options such as private schools or online learning options. There are more than 1,000 private schools in Virginia in all shapes and forms, from religious schools to schools designed for children with special needs.
Our free online public school offers students from grades 6 to 11 a safe and engaging environment where they can learn in a way that works best for them. Not only will your child gain the knowledge and confidence they need to carry out assessments such as the Assessment of Learning Standards (SOL), but they will also develop the fundamental life skills they will need to face the challenges of tomorrow. As his learning coach, you'll be by his side and supporting him along the way. Most of these classes are advanced-level (AP) classes for students who study at home or who go to a public high school (some courses are offered to high school students) where the course is not taught.
Other schools were funded, at least partially, by the parents of a community, and they also had control of the school as a community. Governor's Schools are a collection of more than 40 regional high schools and summer programs aimed at gifted students. Parents also have access to online learning options such as permanent full-time online schools available across Virginia. The Convention's delegate, Thomas Bayne, who had escaped slavery in the 1850s but had returned to Norfolk before the end of the Civil War, introduced an amendment to the education clause requiring that schools be “free for all classes” and that no child, student or scholar be expelled from such schools on the basis of race, color, or any odious distinction.
In conclusion, parents have several options when it comes to choosing a school for their children living in Virginia. Public schools are free for all school-age persons residing in each school division according to Articles 22, 1-3 of the Code. In addition to traditional public schools, parents can also consider other options such as private schools or online learning options.
