Albemarle Innovators: Volume 2, Issue 1

Albemarle InnovatorsAlbemarle Innovators is a publication that celebrates the work of teachers, students and staff in Albemarle County Public Schools. The first issue of 2016-17 highlights transportation analyst Renee DeVall and her team’s process of building and assigning bus routes; Agnor-Hurt’s multi-age team and its delivery of innovative instructional programs; and Albemarle High School’s Team 19 students, who are developing interdisciplinary experiences designed to increase student engagement. Open Issue 1 »


If you know someone in your school or department who deserves recognition for their innovative work with students, nominate your colleague for recognition in Albemarle Innovators. View the archive »

Highland Featured Web Exhibit: The Election of 1816

James MonroeJames Monroe’s Highland is now featuring a web exhibit, The Election of 1816, created in partnership with Monticello High School’s Monticello Scholars! Highland offers special thanks to John Baran, Social Studies Department Chair and Gifted Resource Teacher, and to his students: Jillian Hesler, Nathan Martin, Adam McGill, Audrey Parks, and Aidan Stoddart. Continue reading

Congratulations, Golden Apple Award Winners!

Golden Apple LogoCongratulations to all 27 ACPS teachers who received Golden Apple Awards at the 15th annual celebration yesterday evening. Each year, the Golden Apple program celebrates performance excellence and curriculum innovations by teachers who are nominated for the award by principals, colleagues, parents and students. Read our news release »

Albemarle Innovators: Volume 1, Issue 2

Albemarle InnovatorsAlbemarle Innovators is a publication that celebrates the work of teachers in Albemarle County Public Schools. Issue 2 of Albemarle Innovators highlights librarian Anita Mays and her introduction of maker tubs at Baker-Butler Elementary School; kindergarten teacher Deb Zehnter’s use of genius hour at Broadus Wood Elementary; and the Crozet Elementary fifth grade team’s work on studying the water quality of community streams and rivers. Continue reading

Albemarle Innovators: Volume 1, Issue 1

Albemarle InnovatorsWe’re highlighting the innovative work of our teachers and staff through a new publication, Albemarle Innovators! In this inaugural issue, we’re celebrating Erin Percival, Science 6 and Creative Design teacher at Sutherland; Andrew Sherogan, Art teacher at Meriwether Lewis; and Albemarle High School’s Team 19. Read Issue 1 »


Do you know someone in your school or department who deserves recognition for their innovative work with students? Continue reading

ACPS Ranked 5th Best School District in the State

ACPS in the NewsA national education assessment company has ranked Albemarle County Public Schools among the top five school divisions in Virginia. Niche, which each year evaluates more than 100,000 public and private schools and divisions based on a comprehensive survey of performance data and the views of more than 27 million students and parents, also placed Albemarle County Public Schools in the top two percent of all school divisions in the nation. Read our press release »

CBIC Honors Katina Dudley as Educator of the Year

CBIC-LogoCongratulations to our three finalists this year for the Charlottesville Business Innovation Council’s Educator of the Year award: Karen Heathcock, who teaches third grade at Broadus Wood; Anne Geraty, a gifted resource teacher at Meriwether Lewis; and Katina Dudley, director of and teacher at Monticello High School’s Health and Medical Sciences Academy. Katina received the award, which recognizes excellence in classroom innovation. Continue reading

Monticello’s Learning Commons Receives National Coverage

Earlier this year, when Monticello High School’s Learning Commons won the 2015 Magna Award, Albemarle County Public Schools became the first school division in the country to twice be honored by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) as a national leader in innovative school programming. In its June 2015 issue of American School Board Journal, NSBA highlights the Learning Commons as an example of our division’s emphasis on project-based learning and on developing greater creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among all students. Read the cover story, Making It Real: The Maker movement spurs students to rediscover the joy of creating.

Also, check out NSBA’s YouTube feature:

2015 Golden Apple Awards Honored 28 ACPS Teachers

Golden Apple LogoYesterday evening’s 14th annual Golden Apple celebration honored 28 Albemarle County Public Schools teachers, including Gabrielle Schoppa of Burley Middle School, winner of the 21st Century Learning in the Classroom project grant. Sponsored by Better Living Building Supply and Better Living Furniture, the Golden Apple program recognizes performance excellence and curriculum innovations by teachers in our region. Read our news release »