College of veterans, members of the military, and military-connected students

Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

As we head into the second quarter of the school year, it is a fitting time to celebrate how far we have come while also looking ahead to new opportunities for our students. At the November 4 School Board meeting, we shared our annual State of the Schools presentation, highlighting five years of progress across PWCS. Among those results, PWCS achieved a record-high 96.1% on-time graduation rate, while participation in advanced coursework increased from 47.9% to 61.1%.

In addition, the number of scores qualifying for college credit through Advanced Placement, Cambridge, and International Baccalaureate courses increased from 6,317 to 11,119, a 76% increase from five years ago. This progress, alongside gains in academic achievement, reflects our continued focus on expanding opportunities and preparing every student for a thriving future.

That spirit of excellence is evident every day in our schools, and I am especially pleased to celebrate the recent recognition of two PWCS school communities. U.S. News & World Report ranked Porter Traditional School the No. 2 middle school in Virginia and Pennington Traditional School No. 3. The schools also ranked first and second, respectively, in Northern Virginia. Congratulations to the students, staff, and families at both schools on this outstanding recognition.

As we celebrate these achievements, we also want to help families plan for the opportunities ahead. Applications for PWCS Specialty Programs for the 2027-28 school year are now open. Families can explore available programs and apply by February 1, 2027. The Center for Fine and Performing Arts application has an earlier deadline of December 11, 2026.

As a reminder, all PWCS schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. As we honor those who have served our country, I invite you to watch a special homecoming for one of our PWCS military families, featuring a father surprising his four daughters after returning from a nine-month deployment. We extend our gratitude to veterans and military families throughout our community for their service and sacrifice. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,
Dr. McDade signature
LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Prince William County Public Schools