Lynchburg City Schools

Our school division is an educational community of diverse individuals who are developing their intellectual, artistic, and physical talents to the highest degree. These individuals have an exalted sense of purpose in their lives. This purpose inspires our community to transcend barriers, work harmoniously, and mobilize positive change. Our school division is a sought-after teaching institution that exemplifies highest professional standards, scholarship, and innovative instructional practices.

The Lynchburg City School Board will provide principle-centered leadership and assist others in understanding the boundaries for collective decision making and planning. The School Board will use these principles to enable it to achieve its vision for the future of education in Lynchburg.

Our vision encompasses six critical focus areas that affect the future of public education in Lynchburg:

Academic Eminence

Academic Eminence is the distinguishing characteristic of the Lynchburg City Schools. Fully accredited schools offer academic programs that challenge the intellect and maximize the potential of each student to acquire knowledge, concepts, and skills necessary to become thinking, productive, responsible citizens. Excellence in academics results in a love of lifelong learning and supportive, involved community.

• We resolve to measure the quality of education in the City of Lynchburg through the accreditation of our schools, the productive transition of our students to satisfying careers or higher education, and the positive accomplishments of our students.
• All educational programs are rigorous and demand that each student thinks, learns, and performs at the highest possible level.
• Students will be technologically adept and will develop the initiative and self-discipline necessary to take command of a changing world in which traditional structures of employment give way to new forms based on ever-increasing information and entrepreneurship.
• We will provide a broad array of extra- and co-curricular activities that allow students to explore and develop their interests, gifts, and talents to help guide them toward a fulfilling future.
• We will continue to explore and develop alternative educational programs and sites which offer opportunities to students who need an environment different from the traditional school program.

Exemplary Personnel

We are in the business of developing human potential. We value our employees as the lifeblood of the organization. They serve as ambassadors for education in the community. Our dedicated employees are highly qualified, superbly talented, and exemplary individuals. They embody professionalism that compels personal and group commitment to excellence in education for all students.

• We will develop and implement a comprehensive, multifaceted recruitment and retention strategy that ensures quality teachers.
• Competitive salaries that exceed the state and national averages will characterize Lynchburg teacher salary schedules.
• We will reward exemplary achievement in our educational community that assist us in realizing our vision.
• We will provide a staff development program of distinction for all categories of personnel which addresses the needs of the individual and the needs of the school division.
• The organizational ethos will promote pride in work, trusting relationships, and effective collaboration.

Parental Investment and Community Involvement

Parents want the best for their children and share in the responsibility and the process of educating their children. These involved parents serve as catalysts to unite the community in support of education, bringing Lynchburg to new heights of prosperity, prominence, and promise.

• Because parental involvement is a cornerstone that under girds the schools’ efforts, we will create avenues for increased dialogue with parents and the community.
• We will promote activities and programs that enable parents to be confident and helpful in assisting their children to succeed in school.
• We will promote community involvement in our schools by nurturing our business partnerships and our relationships with educational and religious institutions and community agencies and organizations.
• We will engage in high profile public relations activities that result in a community that is well-informed of its schools’ desired outcomes, programs, and needs.
• Acknowledging our common goal for a strong public education system, we resolve to work collaboratively with City leadership, including the City Council and City administration, in planning, communicating our needs, and coordinating our budgetary processes.

Respect for Diversity

Our schools are a just and inclusive community in which people from different cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds learn, live, and work harmoniously with mutual respect, without compromising their beliefs and their identities. We pioneer the cause of excellence and equity. We are committed to eliminating racism and discrimination in the schools. Learning about the contributions of all races and cultures promotes understanding and social justice.

• We applaud our individual diversity and will capitalize on this strength to enhance, enrich, and promote the entire educational process.
• The curriculum will reflect the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds to society and teach understanding and respect for differences.
• Beginning in kindergarten, the learning environment will encourage and challenge minority students to pursue higher level classes.
• We will pursue programs and activities to assist minority students in overcoming barriers that hinder success in academic areas.
• The personnel of our schools will reflect the diversity of our community.

Model Facilities

Our schools are the heart of our academic, economic and social development and evoke deep civic pride. Structurally sound, diverse in design, and unique in character, our state-of-the-art schools are adaptable and foster technologically advanced and optimal learning environments. Each of our buildings enhances a new era of education and the life of the community. 

• We resolve to responsibly maintain and anticipate the needs of our facilities by maintaining a dynamic, long-term facility plan.
• We will continually assess our facilities in relationship to program, curricular needs, student enrollment, and community demographics.
• We will work cooperatively with City Council and state and federal representative to secure essential funding to renovate, upgrade, and create viable learning environments in our facilities.
• We will promote our facilities as resources for the community so that they serve as hubs for lifelong learning.