Highlights and Initiatives

Roanoke’s on-time graduation rate is 90%.

Both high schools are modern with state-of-the art facilities.

The first and second phase of the new Fallon Park Elementary are completed.  The third phase is scheduled to be completed in summer 2020.    

In June 2020, The State Board of Education recognized Roanoke City Public Schools with the 2020 Board of Education Innovative Practice Award for its summer enrichment program RCPS+

In June 2020, Crystal Spring Elementary received the 2020 Board of Education Highest Achievement Award.  The following schools were honored with the 2020 Board of Education Continuous Improvement Award:  Fallon Park Elementary, Fishburn Park Elementary, Monterey Elementary, Morningside Elementary, Patrick Henry High School, Preston Park Elementary, Virginia Heights Elementary, Wasena Elementary, and William Fleming High School.

The NAMM Foundation has named RCPS one of the Best Communities for Music Education for eight consecutive years. 

In February 2020, Rico Harrington of Patrick Henry High School won a regional and state title in Wrestling

In February 2020, Micah Jones of William Fleming High School won three regional championships in Indoor Track

In February 2020, Ja/Mya Quarles of Patrick Henry High School won a regional championship in shot put

In September 2019, Virginia's Department of Education released state accreditation results.  For the second consecutive year, all Roanoke City Schools are fully-accredited.  Click here to see the results

In September 2019, Grandin Court Elementary was announced as a National Blue Ribbon School

In September 2019, William Fleming High School was named a National Unified Champion Banner School by the Special Olympics.  Only 38 schools nationwide have received this honor.

Forest Park Academy has exceeded 1,300 graduates. This specialized school helps high school students overcome challenges and graduate. 

In November 2018, Caroline Eschenbach of Virginia Heights Elementary received a $25,000 prize from the Milken Foundation.  She is only recipient from Virginia this year. 

Jeff Midkiff of Patrick Henry High School received the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award in June 2017 at Yale University.

Eighth graders and all high school students receive laptops for school and home use

The Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology (RVGS) is a specialized regional center for the advanced study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).  RVGS serves 269 students from 7 localities.  Roanoke City has 128 slots available.

The Community College Access Program (CCAP) allows graduating seniors to attend Virginia Western Community College tuition-free for up to three years. To learn more about the program, click here

Students from Patrick Henry and William Fleming High School can take dual enrollment classes at Virginia Western Community College.

Students participate in 42 different sports programs at the middle and high school levels.

RCPS offers 27 Advanced Placement (AP) courses for high school students.  Additional AP courses are offered through Virtual Virginia.

Each summer, we offer a six week summer enrichment program for rising kindergarten through rising 8th graders. The program is free for RCPS students.

Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) received the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award from Yale University for its partnership with the Roanoke Symphony.

Elementary Schools:  17

Middle Schools:  5

High Schools:  2

Programs:  4 (Forest Park Academy, Governor’s School for Science and Technology, Roanoke Technical Education Center (ROTEC) and Noel Taylor Academy).

Need to know what school your child will attend?  View Attendance Zones here. To see a virtual tour of any of our schools, click here. 

Number of students (Pre-School – Grade 12):  13,749

Total Staff: 2,259

Special Education Students:  2,324

English Language Learners:  1,812

Gifted Students:  986

Student Ethnic Distribution

African American:  44.12%

Caucasian:  35.28%

Hispanic and other:  20.60%