VA Naturally logo with text "school recognition" in a ribbon in front of a grey and green background.The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has recognized 30 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) as Virginia Naturally (VAN) schools for the 2024-25 school year.

This marks a 17-school increase from the previous year, placing PWCS ahead of all school divisions in the Commonwealth for the highest number of VAN recognitions.

The following schools received the designation:

  • Ashland Elementary School
  • Bel Air Elementary School
  • Belmont Elementary School
  • Bennett Elementary School
  • Buckland Mills Elementary School
  • C.D. Hylton High School
  • Chris Yung Elementary School
  • Coles Elementary School
  • Dale City Elementary School
  • Forest Park High School
  • Freedom High School
  • Gar-Field High School
  • Henderson Elementary School
  • John D. Jenkins Elementary School
  • Kerrydale Elementary School
  • Loch Lomond Elementary School
  • Marshall Elementary School
  • Minnieville Elementary School
  • Mountain View Elementary School
  • Mullen Elementary School
  • Neabsco Elementary School
  • The Nokesville School
  • Occoquan Elementary School
  • Patriot High School
  • Piney Branch Elementary School
  • Rockledge Elementary School
  • Saunders Middle School
  • Unity Braxton Middle School
  • Unity Reed High School
  • Yorkshire Elementary School

“I’m proud of the way our schools have embraced environmental education,” shared Melinda Landry, sustainability coordinator for PWCS. “Seeing 30 Prince William County Public Schools recognized this year is deeply rewarding and reflects our strong commitment to environmental literacy.”

Among the honorees, Coles Elementary School stands out with an impressive 12 consecutive years of VAN recognition, while 17 schools are celebrating their first-ever designation. This widespread acknowledgment highlights how profoundly environmental learning is embedded in the division’s mission. It also signals PWCS’ expanding commitment to sustainability, student engagement, and leadership in environmental literacy and curriculum innovation across the state.

This commitment to hands-on, environmental learning is reflected in the wide range of activities that PWCS schools have undertaken, such as winter sowing, field studies at local parks, hydroponics, civic engagement projects, outdoor gardening, energy conservation projects, and waste-management projects, to name a few.

Rooted in the PWCS Environmental Literacy Plan and aligned with the PWCS Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan, these experiences help foster student curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility.

“PWCS has been a leader in environmental literacy education for years, but we're not content to just maintain the status quo,” remarked Landry. “Our continuous improvement mindset pushes us to strive for the very best educational experiences we can offer to our students, staff, and community.”

That drive for excellence is matched by the people who help make it happen.

“This achievement would not be possible without the dedication and creativity of our school-based sustainability liaisons,” Landry added. “Their work continues to inspire new initiatives and has helped make cross-curricular environmental learning part of everyday school life.”

The VAN program, administered by the Virginia DWR, recognizes schools that incorporate hands-on, real-world environmental learning into their curriculum and who prioritize environmental programs that extend beyond the classroom setting. It is the official environmental education school recognition program of the Commonwealth. For more information, visit the Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program webpage.