2013 Superintendent’s Business Breakfast “The State of the Schools” October 24, 2013 Dr. Steven L. Walts Superintendent of Schools

Today’s Agenda Did You Know? Providing a World-Class Education Celebrating Success What Is the Value of an Education? Powered by SPARK Excellent Schools Are Everyone’s Business Closing Thoughts 2

Did You Know Video 3

4 Mission Statement: Providing A World-Class Education What does our mission statement mean? The focus is on teaching and learning, enhanced by professional learning communities. All students achieve high standards. Instruction is engaging and rigorous. Reading and writing literacy is taught in all content areas. There is a sense of belonging – including all students.

5 Providing A World-Class Education What does our mission statement mean? We support the Developmental Assets for students. Schools and offices are inviting, welcoming, and customer oriented. We will accomplish our Strategic Plan by working together.

6 Celebrating Success All 10 qualifying high schools continue to be in the top eight percent of over 37,000 public and private high schools nationwide* Named one of America’s 100 Best Communities for youth three years in a row * As determined by the “Washington Post” - Patriot HS did not qualify, since it did not have a senior class at the time of the last award

7 Celebrating Success PWCS met or exceeded all of the annual measurable objectives in math and reading Divisionwide, performance in math stayed the same or increased for all student groups All PWCS schools are accredited (95% fully accredited, exceeding the state) PWCS composite SAT scores rose eight points

8 Celebrating Success The percentage of PWCS students earning Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge qualifying scores far exceeds the national average

9 Celebrating Success Nearly 90 percent of students entering our high schools now graduate on time The PWCS graduation rate climbed for the second year in a row and now ranks 7 th highest among the country’s 50 largest school systems (as reported in “Education Week”)

10 What Is the Value of an Education? * Income projections from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey

11 Supporting Partnerships And Resources for Kids Powered by SPARK

12 Nearly $700,000 awarded since inception in awarded in including the following here with us today: –Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? –Creating An Outdoor Exploration Laboratory –Cross Curricular Book Room –From Mountains to the Estuaries –Project R.I.S.E. (Reading in Summer to Excel) –Hylton Performing Arts Center and Ballet Come Alive –I Problem Solve –Keeping Kids on the Ball Powered by SPARK Innovative Grants

13 $75,000 provided towards online communication tool for students, teachers, parents, and administrative staff Contact Sharon Henry at to learn more and to advertise your business on school Web Powered by SPARK SchoolFusion and Commercial Advertising

14 A collaborative effort that provides technology to students and schools in need Coordinated by PWCS Legislative Priority Currently in 25 school divisions statewide Since ,400 computers provided representing a cost avoidance of nearly $3 million Powered by SPARK

Powered by SPARK Robotics Participation in FIRST LEGO League – Elementary School –75 teams VEX- Middle School and High School –154 teams SeaPerch - High School –473 teams 15

Powered by SPARK Robotics FIRST Robotics Competition – High School –3 teams VEX IQ- Elementary School (new fall 2013) –12 teams Zero Robotics - High School –2 teams Proudly Sponsored by… 16

FIRST LEGO League –Coles, Penn, and Triangle Elementary competed at state level competition VEX –15 teams competed in the World Tournament comprised of 44 countries –Woodbridge High School placed third among all high school teams –Bull Run Middle School received Judges Award for most well rounded team 17 Powered by SPARK Robotics – Accomplishments

State, National, and International Awards SeaPerch –6 teams qualified to compete at the National Challenge FIRST Robotics Competition Two teams competed in FIRST World Tournament –Battlefield –PWC All-County team received Rookie All-Star Award 18 Powered by SPARK Robotics - Accomplishments

19 Powered by SPARK A public-private initiative that addresses kindergarten readiness Key Initiatives: Comprehensive health and tracking of developmental milestones Parent education and information Kindergarten transitions and quality early learning experiences Books 4 Babies

Rachel’s Challenge Middle school anti-bullying program Give the Band a Hand Elementary school band NatureBridge Middle school outdoor classroom experience Girls on the Run Elementary school developmental youth sports program 20 Powered by SPARK Proudly Sponsored By…

Business Partners of the Year Please stand and be recognized And then enjoy the video Excellent Schools are Everyone’s Business Apple Federal Credit Union Fraternal Order of Police Battlefield Lodge #43 Dollar Tree Volunteer Prince William

22 Join Us in Supporting SPARK Powered by SPARK

A Sincere Thank You to Our Business Community For your contributions of time, money, and goods and services For supporting innovative programs For advocating for Prince William County Public Schools For helping us build our World-Class schools, the Prince William County School Board thanks you 23

24 Closing Thoughts… “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

2013 Superintendent’s Business Breakfast “The State of the Schools” October 24, 2013 Dr. Steven L. Walts Superintendent of Schools