History of Virginia Schools

In 1869, the Virginia General Assembly adopted a Constitution providing for a system of free public schools. The Constitution also provided for a Superintendent of Public Instruction and a Board of Education having broad authority over the public school system and responsibility for setting statewide educational policies, standards, and regulations for public schools.

According to the Virginia School Report Card 2004-05, Virginia's 132 school divisions operate a total of approximately 1,845 public schools and centers enrolling more than 1.2 million children each year in kindergarten through grade 12. They are taught by more than 93,000 teachers and served by 44,000 administrators, teacher aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, computer techs, secretaries, and custodians.

The vision of the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction is to ensure--through high academic standards and accountability--that an effective educational program is established and maintained in Virginia’s public elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

The mission of Virginia’s public education system, first and foremost, is to educate students in the fundamental knowledge and academic subjects that students need to become capable, responsible, and self-reliant citizens. Therefore, the mission of the Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, in cooperation with local school boards, is to increase student learning and academic achievement.