Our Division

students hugging

Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) is an award-winning school division that serves approximately 17,000 students in Pre-K–12 across 24 schools. These include 14 elementary, four middle, and four high schools, as well as one trade and technology and one alternative education school. Ten of our schools have earned Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards. HCPS is the 15th largest of the 131 school divisions in Virginia.

Academic Excellence and Exceptional Instruction

Hanover has the highest percentage of schools accredited by the Virginia Department of Education in the Richmond area. HCPS students earned the highest pass rate in math and tied for the highest pass rate in science among the 15 largest school divisions in Virginia.

HCPS has the third-highest on-time graduation rate and the fourth-lowest dropout rate among the 15 largest school divisions in Virginia.

HCPS employs 94 national board certified teachers and administrators.

The rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is offered at all four high schools.

HCPS has 98 different career and technical education offerings, including classes at The Hanover Center for Trades and Technology and The Specialty Center at Hanover High School. In 2016, HCPS launched the Hanover Regional Governor’s School for Career and Technical Advancement, the first of its kind in the nation.

In 2023, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation named Hanover as a “Best Community for Music Education” for the 11th year in a row.

Hanover High School Student Receiving Graduation Diploma

Exceeding Our Goals

HCPS was the first Virginia school division to receive the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Continuing Excellence.

HCPS has received 10 national Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards.

HCPS is a recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

HCPS graduates from the class of 2023 earned $9.3 million in scholarships and are attending over 100 different universities, colleges, trade schools, and enlisting in the military.

teacher with studentCommunity Support

The Hanover Education Foundation manages more than $3.9 million in gifts, legacies and endowed funds to support scholarships, professional development opportunities, and creative classroom initiatives.

There are over 200 businesses who participate in the Partners-in-Education program.

Equity

Hanover County Public Schools has long held that our schools are a direct reflection of the diverse community in which we serve. We are proud to be a part of the fabric of our community and take very seriously our responsibility to educate students and create graduates who will be responsible and productive citizens, caring neighbors, effective co-workers, and future business and civic leaders.

In January 2020, the Hanover County School Board passed its Equity Policy. This new language recognized that "every child deserves an education based upon fundamental principles of equity." As a community, we recognized that "Hanover County Public Schools is enriched by diversity and inclusivity and is dedicated to eliminating inequities. The school division is committed to taking deliberate action to match all students with the resources, tools, and supports they need to maximize their potential."

In alignment with and responsive to this Board policy, an Equity Report is presented to the School Board annually. The second annual report was presented in May 2022

School Quality Profiles

School Quality Profiles are a new way to look at the performance of Virginia’s public schools and factors that can impact student learning and achievement. School Quality Profiles were developed by the Virginia Board of Education in response to the 2015 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the board to redesign online reports for schools and school divisions to more effectively communicate to parents and the public about the status and achievements of Virginia’s public schools. School Quality Profiles are available for all schools, school divisions, and for the state.

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