Commitment 3: Family and Community Engagement

To support our commitment to family and community engagement, PWCS will empower families to be active champions of their student’s success. This starts with making newcomers feel at home in their new school community—with structured supports to help families from all backgrounds transition smoothly. Together, community partnerships and cross-departmental guidance will provide a broad ecosystem of support for the diverse needs of students and families. Partnerships will power initiatives for innovation, skill-building, and mentorship, helping PWCS position our students for better academic outcomes and brighter futures. PWCS will leverage data to demonstrate funding needs and impact, helping us secure support for emerging programs that fuel student learning and career readiness. By 2030, these efforts will produce positive, measurable outcomes for stakeholders across our community.

Values Spotlight

• Equity
• Innovation
• Inclusivity
• Well-Being

Theory of Action

If we establish a Comprehensive Family Engagement Center, then families and staff will have a place to work together to ensure students’ academic progress, extend learning beyond the classroom, build parents’/guardians’ capacity to support their students’ learning, and provide wraparound services. Staff will be able to create ways to engage families through multiple experiences that foster collaboration, help meet their immediate needs, and equip them with essential knowledge, tools, and resources. Families will be empowered to actively support their children’s academic and personal development, which will lead to increased engagement for all.

Overall Impact Goals

• PWCS will achieve a 10% increase in the family engagement index as measured by the Gallup Family Engagement Survey.
• 85% of targeted students and families will receive opportunities to work together to become workforce ready.
• 85% of newcomers, English-learner families, military-connected families, and families of students with disabilities reporting a fully engaged educational environment that is welcoming and creates a sense of belonging.

Family-school partnerships are key to students’ academic success, and studies show the earlier schools establish family engagement, the more effective they are in raising student performance. With this understanding, PWCS will work closely with families to build environments that best support their student’s emotional and academic development.

PWCS families encompass a wide range of backgrounds, and PWCS is committed to supporting their diverse needs to ensure their students’ success. To date, PWCS is home to approximately 2,500 English-learner newcomer families, 8,000 military-connected families, and 14,000 students with disabilities. To ensure all families feel included and supported throughout their academic journey, PWCS will take strategic steps to nurture these relationships with tailored supports and expanded engagement opportunities.

PWCS Comprehensive Family Engagement Center

The division will establish the PWCS Comprehensive Family Engagement Center. This will serve as a one-stop hub for families, offering both physical and virtual access to resources, training, and support. The center will equip families with tools and knowledge to actively participate in their child’s education, fostering trust and collaboration between schools and communities.

The center’s core components will include a digital portal for families to access information, training modules, and multilingual communication channels. By centralizing these resources online, PWCS will support equitable access for families who cannot visit in person. The center will include infrastructure and physical space for training and family events. By 2030, these efforts will produce positive, quantifiable outcomes for stakeholders across our community—with 85% of newcomers, English-learner families, military-connected families, and families of students with disabilities reporting a fully engaged educational environment that is welcoming and creates a sense of belonging.

Education and Workforce Readiness for Families

PWCS will launch a workforce-readiness initiative that establishes three distinct CTE programs for students and families to learn together. We will develop this workforce readiness initiative in collaboration with at least five local business partners. By 2030, 85% of targeted students and families will receive opportunities to work together to become workforce ready. These will include engagements in virtual learning labs, courses for earning certifications and credentials in high-demand industries, micro-credentialing, and programs designed to prepare participants for earning a GED.

Standardized Onboarding for Newcomers and Military-Connected Families

Establishing a consistent and comprehensive onboarding procedure as a school division will ensure all newcomer and military-connected families receive equitable levels of support and information. As a result, families across the division will experience smoother transitions and a stronger sense of belonging within the PWCS community.

This onboarding system will include the following stages: Welcoming and Orientation, Information Access and Navigation, Family Engagement Activities, Support Services, Feedback and Continuous Improvement, and Partnership Building.

Using a phased implementation approach, PWCS will pilot the standardized onboarding system beginning in 2028, with full implementation in all PWCS schools by 2030. Upon implementation, 90% of families will report that onboarding has helped ensure new families feel confident and welcomed in the school community, improve communication and engagement between the school and families, and foster stronger connections that contribute to the long-term success of students and families.

Values Spotlight

• Equity
• Innovation
• Resiliency
• Well-Being

Theory of Action

If we engage in strategic partnerships with community agencies and businesses that support our initiatives for enrichment programming and partnerships for student experiences, wellness, and wraparound services, then we will create a more supportive ecosystem. This will be an ecosystem that enhances student learning, strengthens community bonds, fosters innovation, and supports wellness by leveraging shared resources, expertise, and networks. In turn, this will address systemic challenges, expand opportunities, and prepare students for a thriving future in a diverse and rapidly evolving society.

Overall Impact Goals

• Implement three school-based health clinics.
• Add eight school-based food pantries each year, reaching at least 40 to support student needs.
• 85% of students and families will receive essential wraparound services within four weeks of being referred.
• Establish a mentor network of 150 mentors to support 250 students annually.
• 50 trained diverse mentors will support 100 first-generation/underrepresented students.
• 50 students annually will have summer internships or job shadowing directly related to college enrollment and career readiness interests with tracked outcomes related to college enrollment and career readiness.
• Create 150+ job shadowing placements annually.

Partnerships create a network of support that goes beyond the classroom. Community members can offer resources, expertise, and real-world connections that schools alone may not be able to provide. Tapping into the collective expertise of our community, PWCS can offer students a wider range of mentors, opportunities, and guidance. This also increases our capacity to provide more hands-on experiential learning—so students can see what they learn in school applies to life outside of school.

In addition to a strong core family support unit, community partnerships show students that the adults in the places they live are invested in their success. PWCS believes this is critical, as having supportive relationships with non-parental adults is also linked to higher levels of self-esteem, positive academic attitudes, motivation, school attendance, and academic achievement among students.

Working together, PWCS, local organizations, and businesses will raise a generation of students who are prepared and inspired to meet the needs of their community. Above all, we can ensure that every child in our community has the support they need to reach their full potential. By 2030, PWCS will increase partnership engagement by 30% with targeted outreach in four key areas: Innovation and Digital Citizenship, STEM and AI Education, Career Pathways, and Social/Wraparound Services.

Enrichment Programming

Innovation and Digital Citizenship

Prince William County is consistently recognized as one of the top digital counties in the nation. We’re a county committed to innovation—with some of the brightest minds in technology and business living and working right here in our communities. Through the power of local partnerships, PWCS can connect students to the tools, expertise, and inspiration they need to be lifelong innovative thinkers. By 2030, 100% of families will have access to opportunities to actively support their children’s digital learning and responsible technology use.

Co-Designing Projects with Community Partners

PWCS will collaborate with community agencies and business partners to create opportunities for students to develop skills in digital literacy, ethical technology use, and creative problem-solving. By offering access to joint workshops, mentorship programs, and cutting-edge tools, PWCS will empower students to become responsible and innovative digital citizens.

To achieve this, PWCS and its partners will co-design and deliver innovation-focused digital citizenship projects in 85% of K–5 classrooms. By design, these projects will integrate hands-on technology experiences, enhance digital creativity, and promote responsible technology use. In support of this effort, PWCS will deliver professional learning sessions for K–5 teachers, training them how to integrate co-designed projects and model strategies that foster digital creativity and citizenship. As a result, 90% of participating students will show improved understanding of digital citizenship concepts, responsible online behavior, and creative technology skills as measured by classroom assessments and student portfolios.

PWCS will also coordinate the delivery of these innovation-focused projects, ensuring that all activities offer practical technology experiences and address key elements of digital responsibility. At project completion, we will collect feedback from students, teachers, and partners to evaluate the impact on student engagement, creativity, and understanding of responsible technology use.

STEM and AI Education

PWCS believes in a strong foundation in STEM for all students. We also believe in teaching our students to be responsible digital citizens—and that includes knowing how to use AI ethically and effectively.

Partnerships that Promote STEM and AI Learning

Over the next four years, PWCS will build partnerships that expand access to hands-on learning experiences in STEM and AI—including internships, industry-led seminars, and project-based learning options. These collaborations will help students gain practical skills, deepen their understanding of emerging technologies, and inspire future careers in science and technology fields.

Leveraging these local partnerships, PWCS aims to expand these learning experiences by 15% year over year for all students. We will achieve this by establishing strategic partnerships with local STEM and AI organizations, universities, and industry leaders to co-design project-based learning modules and real-world challenge scenarios for students. We will integrate these project-based learning opportunities into the curriculum, ensuring every student has access to authentic, inquiry-driven experiences that build technical and collaborative skills. We will augment these efforts by coordinating with industry partners to host guest speaker sessions, workshops, and site visits that expose students to current trends, career pathways, and applications of AI and emerging technologies. Within four years, at least 90% of participating students will report enhanced skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy, as evidenced by post-program surveys and project assessments.

Partnerships for Student Experiences

Career Pathways

To support postsecondary preparedness, PWCS offers multiple career pathways for high school students that align with the needs of local and national labor markets, so students are better positioned for success in high-demand, high-opportunity jobs. Many pathways offer the chance to earn relevant industry certifications, which often permit students to earn college credit and increase their employment opportunities. By teaming with community partners, PWCS aims to expand these learning opportunities with more interactive, exploratory, and accessible experiences in the professional sphere.

Career Exploration and Readiness Opportunities

PWCS will work with local businesses and community organizations to create robust initiatives for career exploration and readiness. These collaborations will offer students more ways to participate in job shadowing, career fairs, and workplace visits. As a result, PWCS will help students identify their personal strengths and interests while providing clear pathways to postsecondary education and employment. We will make these opportunities accessible to all students—ensuring that participation from each demographic group is within 15% of the school division’s overall student demographics.

PWCS will host an annual college and career fair designed to connect students with internship and externship opportunities that align with their chosen fields of study. Additionally, at least 150 students enrolled in CTE course sequences will participate in a job shadowing experience each year. We will also ensure that 80% of students who complete a CTE course sequence engage in at least one job visit or shadowing opportunity related to their academic focus.

Mentor Networks

Research shows that mentors have a unique capacity to increase student morale and self-esteem. By connecting students with a stable and supportive relationship with a caring non-parental adult, mentoring programs provide an environment where students can build greater confidence in themselves and their abilities. In turn, these traits are linked to better psychosocial, behavioral, and academic outcomes.

PWCS will initiate a Mentorship Network Program to pair students with business and community mentors. These mentors will assist with goal setting, skills development, and transitions to college or careers. By 2027, we will recruit and train a diverse pool of at least 50 business and community mentors to establish the program, with a focus on supporting first-generation and underrepresented youth for a minimum of 100 students. By 2030, the mentor network will be sustained with 150 mentors to serve at least 250 students annually. Additionally, we will launch a summer internship opportunity or job shadowing experience for at least 50 students annually and document outcomes tied directly to college enrollment and student interests in career readiness year over year. Through quarterly skills development sessions and targeted workshops, the program will foster meaningful community connections that promote student confidence, leadership, and personal growth.

Wellness and Wraparound Services

Students perform their best when their essential needs are met, both inside and outside the classroom. Wraparound services are designed to target underlying challenges that affect students' ability to learn—whether those challenges are academic, emotional, social, or physical. By working with local partners, PWCS connects students and families to a broad range of well-coordinated supports and services in their communities. This offers students a holistic support system that’s tailored to their individual needs and overall well-being. Research shows that wraparound services are linked to higher grades, test scores, attendance and graduation rates, as well as improved behavior and social functioning.

By 2030, PWCS will create a wider, more diverse partner network that ensures 100% of students have access to comprehensive wraparound services. These services will offer a full range of resources to support students’ physical, emotional, nutritional, and educational needs. PWCS will coordinate with agencies to deliver counseling, health services, and family engagement programs to foster holistic well-being and remove barriers to students’ success. Additionally, School Parent Liaisons will engage families via Mobile Family Support Units that will meet families where they are by visiting neighborhoods and community events to provide information, answer questions, and build trust. This comprehensive ecosystem of support will build our capacity to meet complex human needs—and empower every student to thrive. By 2030, 85% of students and families will receive essential wraparound services within four weeks of being referred.

Health Clinics

By 2030, PWCS families will have access to three school-based health clinics. These include school-based clinics in partnership with Sentara and the Community Health Foundation, offering immunizations on a continuum at each location. We will leverage community organizations to host immunization clinics in accessible locations and provide free mandatory employment health screenings for newly hired PWCS employees as part of the onboarding process. This will result in a 10% increase in annual participation in health and wellness programs year over year.

Food Pantries

In addition to school-based clinics, PWCS will partner with the Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) to proactively support PWCS families who are experiencing food insecurity. Research indicates that students with unmet essential physiological needs—such as adequate nutrition, rest, and feelings of safety—struggle academically and find it hard to fully participate in learning. In 2025, about 14.2% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity through November, with rates peaking at 16% later in the year. Over 29,000 PWCS students across the division are classified as economically disadvantaged as defined by federal guidelines. Currently, 69 PWCS schools are participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, allowing every student at those schools to receive free breakfast and lunch without the need to submit individual household applications. In partnership with PWCCF, PWCS launched a food pantry pilot in school year 2025–26, creating fully functional pantries in 10 schools to help students and families gain better access to nutritious food and address food insecurity. PWCS will add eight school-based food pantries annually for a minimum of 40 food pantries divisionwide by 2030.

Volunteer Programs

Support for Students

Volunteers enhance the quality of our instructional program by donating their time and effort inside and outside the classroom. By volunteering, parents and community members can contribute valuable skills and experiences to the learning environment, while providing a positive adult presence that positions them as role models and motivators. In fact, research shows that when volunteers are involved, students tend to perform better academically, have higher school attendance, exhibit fewer behavioral problems, and have more positive attitudes toward school overall.

Support for Staff

At the same time, volunteers can supply essential support for staff when resources are limited, which increases the division’s capacity to provide individualized support to every student.

Program Coordination and Consistency

PWCS will standardize volunteer programs across all schools in the division. All programs will provide parents and community members with structured engagement opportunities to support schools and student learning. We will support this by developing a volunteer program framework and toolkit for all schools. Once the framework is established, PWCS will promote volunteer opportunities to parents and community members through multiple channels, including newsletters, social media, and school events. By 2030, PWCS will have volunteer opportunities in every school with at least three distinct engagement activities per school annually. Throughout the school year, we will monitor engagement rates and continuously collect feedback. Each year, PWCS will host a divisionwide recognition event to share best practices and celebrate volunteer contributions. By 2030, PWCS will achieve participation from at least 20% of parents and community members per school in volunteer activities per year. Annual growth in volunteer participation and student learning outcomes will be communicated divisionwide.

Values Spotlight

• Equity
• Innovation
• Resiliency
• Well-Being

Theory of Action

If we develop a funding agenda that aligns partnerships with strategic goals, ensure every school has two business or community partnerships, and collaborate with PWCS community-based organizations, then business and community partnership resources will be equitably distributed to better support the unique needs of school communities.

Overall Impact Goal

• SPARK will set forth an aggressive four-year funding goal of $30M to support identified division strategic initiatives.

Partnerships with businesses and community organizations help schools and divisions address gaps in existing programs. At the same time, they help students, families, and staff meet complex needs that go beyond the classroom. When partnerships are aligned with division initiatives and commitments, they can provide real-world learning opportunities and contribute to improved student outcomes. They can also deliver much-needed resources and holistic support for students, families, and staff. Partnerships also provide opportunities for students to connect with more people in their community and strengthen family engagement. Currently, all PWCS schools have at least one formal business or community partnership aligned with our schools’ continuous improvement plans. Additionally, 100% of high schools have a business partnership supporting postsecondary endeavors. PWCS will work with our education foundation, Supporting Partnerships and Resources for Kids (SPARK), to make our partner acquisition process more centralized—allowing us to streamline and enhance our strategic efforts to increase engagement with business partners. By 2030, SPARK will generate $30 million in funding to support identified strategic initiatives.

Need, Impact, and Opportunities for 2030

PWCS will utilize comprehensive data analysis to identify funding gaps, highlight areas of greatest need, and demonstrate the measurable impact of investments to secure support from community stakeholders. Additionally, we will allocate resources to support emerging programs that prepare students for future opportunities—such as STEM education, technology integration, and career readiness initiatives. Finally, PWCS will leverage matching grant opportunities or employee giving programs facilitated by business partners.

Funding Agenda

SPARK surpassed the $10 million funding goal set forth in the PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan, with a total revenue of $22.1 million—reflecting a 43% increase in funding for the division’s strategic initiatives.

The SPARK funding agenda and annual fundraising goals will shift to a total of $30 million in funding support for the newly realized areas of critical focus:

STEM and AI Education

Goal: $10,000,000

Wellness and Wraparound Services

Goal: $5,000,000

Innovation and Digital Citizenship

Goal: $8,000,000

Career Pathways

Goal: $7,000,000

Starting in fiscal year 2026, this increase in revenue expands PWCS’ capacity to invest in strategic partnerships and programs that bring value to our students, their families, and the larger community.