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Committed to the Success of Every Student

Superintendent's Message

Dear School Community Members:

Welcome to Washington County Public Schools. I believe our students, educators, parents, and community members are second to none. In our schools, we have inordinate confidence in, and ultimately depend upon our community's willingness, capacity, and resources to ensure the highest possible education for all students.

Our unvarying intent is to help inspire all students to develop as extraordinary learners and leaders in our school communities. In Washington County, we are fortunate to live in a community that has a longstanding history of support for public education. Our expectations are we treat each other well and we continually search for ways to foster sustained growth in both opportunity and performance. We are committed to professionalism, community service, academic distinction, and our overall mission of being "Committed to the Success of Every Student."

We appreciate your willingness to invest in and support our students and families in every facet of school life. Through collaborative efforts and common ground, every person in Washington County has a role in making a positive difference in the lives of students and families.

Warm regards,

Dr. Brian C. Ratliff

Brian C. Ratliff, Ed.D, Superintendent

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Beliefs

We believe successful schools:

understand all students can learn
foster effective communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
prepare students for success
meet the unique needs of each child
are grounded in respect and integrity
have a well-defined curriculum and programs that meet or exceed state and national standards
provide safe, healthy, and dynamic learning environments
have high expectations which inspire high performance
enable students to be college and career ready
engage and communicate with families

Mission

Washington County Schools is committed to the success of every student. We seek to empower all students to meet rigorous academic standards by providing authentic and relevant educational experiences.

Vision

Washington County Schools is an innovative leader in education excellence, teaching and learning, creativity, technology integration and global citizenship.

Latest News

Preschool and Kindergarten Registration - Thursday, March 30, 2023

School Board Meeting - 3/20/2023

WCPS Theater Arts Camp Registration

WCPS and E&H join together again to produce a summer Theatre Arts Summer Camp this June 2023

ABINGDON, Va. – Washington County Public Schools and Emory & Henry College are joining together for their second annual Theatre Arts Camp adventure this summer, June 12th-17th. The camp will be offered free of charge to Washington County students in grades rising third through rising twelfth.

Housed in the beautiful McGlothlin Center for the Arts on the E&H campus, the camp brings area professionals together to work with student campers to offer classes that focus on an array of theatre arts programming and workshops. From musical theatre, improvisation, acting, technical theatre, scenic design and more, students will learn and grow their knowledge of theatre. The camp will culminate in a presentation on June 17.

“We are so excited to be given the opportunity to produce another theatre arts camp through Washington County Public Schools in such state-of-the-art stage spaces and classrooms that Emory & Henry provides.” says Kathleen Buttolph, the camp director. “We have an excited team of theatre professionals and camp counselors ready to guide our Washington County students through a fun week of playing in theatre.”

The camp is a partnership between Washington County Public Schools, the Emory & Henry Appalachian Center for Civic Life, and the Emory & Henry Department of Theatre.

“Emory & Henry’s Theatre program is incredible,” shared Dr. Kelly Bremner, E&H Professor of Theatre and Department Chair. “We have always wanted to find a way to sponsor a camp so we could share what we have with the surrounding community. I am so grateful to have a partner in the public schools to share the magic of theatre free of charge to the students of Washington County.”

The WCS Theatre Arts Camp reaches capacity quickly. Everyone interested is encouraged to register now. Feel free to email questions to [email protected]

High School Graduation Schedule

On March 6, 2023 the Washington County School Board approved the following High School Graduation schedule, subject to necessary adjustments due to inclement weather conditions:

Abingdon High School Friday, May 19, 2023 @ 7:30 pm

Holston High School Thursday, May 18, 2023 @ 6:00 pm

John S. Battle High School Friday, May 19 2023 @ 6:00 pm

Patrick Henry High School Thursday, May 18, 2023 @ 7:00 pm

Washington County Career and Wednesday, May 17, 2023 @ 1:30 pm
Technical Education Center

Summer School Interest Survey

Please complete the linked survey if you and/or your child are interested in summer school attendance, thank you for your assistance as we work to plan summer school offerings.

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