The Augusta County Public Schools believe that education is a continuous developmental process. The schools share responsibility for that process with the home, the church and the community. We believe that all educational programs under the direction of the division must be related to the larger community which it serves. The continuous developmental process involves the creation of communication skills and a disciplined system of thought and problem solving. It involves the cultivation of an inquiring mind, the desire for knowledge, the respect for learning and rational attitudes toward learning and change. It further involves the adoption of values which hold that each individual has merit among all men and that we provide the opportunity for each child to develop to the greatest possible extent a positive view of himself and his fellow man. We further believe our schools should provide the opportunity for each individual to become a responsible, trustworthy, compassionate member of our society who contributes to the social, political, ecological, economic, cultural and spiritual advancement of mankind according to his own individual abilities. This includes sensitivity to individual differences such as disability, culture, religion, and gender. The Augusta County School Division subscribes to continuous progress and a sequentially developed approach in acquiring basic academic and vocational skills, competencies and attitudes, preparing students for further education and/or the world of work. The division supports a positive teacher-pupil-parent relationship as important to the enhancement of the learning process with adequate and varied materials, instructional strategies and resources for extending the individual's potential for learning.
SVGS serves approximately 200 gifted and talented 11th and 12th grade students from Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro. Twelve full-time and numerous part-time adjunct instructors work with the students. SVGS is a program for gifted, talented and highly motivated students. Students choose one of two parallel programs, MST (mathematics, sciences, and technology) or AH (arts, humanities), which offers concentrations in Visual or Theater Arts. The STEM program requires students to complete a minimum of three (3) credits each year, at least one course in each of the core areas. Students may choose an additional credit as an optional independent study. Our mission is to inspire and empower our community to learn, create and serve.
Valley Vocational-Technical Center is part of the public school systems of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Our students gain technical skills in a variety of career areas designed to prepare them for entry level positions or acceptance into post-secondary education. In addition to the many high school programs, the center offers career and technical training for adults interested in apprenticeship programs, basic skills training or a GED. The Mission of Valley Vocational-Technical Center is to prepare our students to become responsible citizens through the development of career awareness, workforce readiness, and industry-specific job skills. The vision guiding Valley vocational-Technical Center is to become an ackowledged leader in the field of Career and Technical Eudaction. serving our community by providing the finest workforce development and job training for youth and adults.