PETERSBURG, VA (February 23, 2026)— Petersburg City Public Schools is thrilled to announce that all nine schools, each of which contain Communities In Schools (CIS) programs, have earned a Community School designation by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The Virginia Community Schools designation is composed of a rigorous application and review process that recognizes schools that demonstrate the strong alignment with the community school model and sustained commitment to high-quality implementation.

Community schools are schools that “intentionally form strong partnerships with families and the community to prepare each student for success,” according to the VDOE. The Virginia Community School Model is powered by shared leadership and focused on four branches of support: basic student needs, emotional and mental health, family and community engagement, and student engagement and motivation. By addressing barriers to learning and strengthening family-school-community partnerships, community schools create conditions where students are better positioned to succeed academically and socially.

“In PCPS, we cherish our partnership with Communities In Schools Tri Cities for their unwavering support and the valuable resources provided to our students and families. Our goal is to provide our students with various learning opportunities so that they graduate with a life filled with choices. I want to thank the VDOE for their acknowledgement of our prioritization of student success by designating our sites as Community Schools,” said Superintendent Yolonda Brown. 

This recognition is a meaningful acknowledgment of the division’s commitment to student success, family engagement, and strong community partnerships. This achievement reflects the leadership, collaboration, and vision that is necessary to serve PCPS  students, while strengthening the Petersburg community as a whole.

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Petersburg City Public Schools serves approximately 4,500 students from preschool to adult across nine schools in Petersburg, VA. PCPS is home to 672 staff members who serve the school division community. The mission of PCPS is to develop and empower students through innovation and collaboration so they demonstrate virtue, good character and make meaningful contributions to society. The vision of PCPS is to transform and expand opportunities for learning so that every student graduates with a life filled with choices.