The following article was written & compiled by the Virginia Department of Education, from the desk of Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
VDOE Announces 472 Virginia Schools Receive $12 Million in School Security Equipment Grants
Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Department of Education today announced the awarding of $12 million in School Security Equipment Grants to 96 school divisions and 472 schools to help protect students, faculty and staff, and visitors.
"The equipment purchased with these grants will help ensure the safety of all students and staff in Virginia's public schools," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. "Every child deserves a high-quality education experience, one where they can deeply focus on learning and growing the minute they step onto a school bus or pass through the door of their school. These grants help create safe, supportive environments, both on school grounds and while traveling to and from school."
Most of the equipment applied and approved for purchase include voice and video internal communication systems, mass notification systems, security card access systems, visitor ID badging systems, surveillance cameras, two-way radios, security vestibules, interior bus cameras, and bus two-way radios. The 2024-2025 school year grants have been awarded on a competitive basis, with each awarded school divisions eligible to receive grant awards up to $250,000.
The 472 schools were awarded funds based on a rank ordering of applications’ point total on the competitive application criteria. The criteria developed by VDOE and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services gives priority to schools most in need of modern security equipment, schools with relatively high numbers of offenses, schools with equipment needs identified by a school security audit, and schools in divisions least able to afford security upgrades.
Listed below are the grant amounts and schools for each awarded school division for grant year 2024-2025:
School Division | 24-25 Grant Award | School Applications Awarded Funding |
Accomack County | $27,635 | Accawmacke Elementary, Arcadia Middle, Chincoteague Elementary, Chincoteague High, and Kegotank Elementary |
Alleghany Highlands | $163,916 | Alleghany High, Callaghan Elementary, Covington Middle, Jeter-Watson Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, and Sharon Elementary |
Amelia County | $250,000 | Amelia County Elementary, Amelia County High, and Amelia County Middle |
Amherst County | $213,383 | Amelon Elementary, Amherst County High, Amherst Elementary, Amherst Middle, Central Elementary, Madison Heights Elementary, and Monelison Middle |
Appomattox County | $183,257 | Appomattox County High, Appomattox Elementary, Appomattox Middle, and Appomattox Primary |
Arlington County | $167,311 | Ashlawn Elementary, Barcroft Elementary, Barrett Elementary, Carlin Springs Elementary, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary, Gunston Middle, Hoffman-Boston Elementary, Kenmore Middle, Long Branch Elementary, Randolph Elementary and Washington-Liberty High |
Augusta County | $130,997 | Churchville Elementary, Edward G. Clymore Elementary, and Riverheads Elementary |
Bath County | $60,537 | Bath County High |
Bedford County | $74,515 | Bedford Elementary, Bedford Primary, Big Island Elementary, Goodview Elementary, Huddleston Elementary, Liberty High, Liberty Middle, Moneta Elementary, Montvale Elementary, Staunton River High, and Staunton River Middle |
Botetourt County | $10,289 | Central Academy Middle |
Bristol City | $59,448 | Virginia High, Virginia Middle, and Virginia Primary School |
Buchanan County | $20,579 | Riverview Elementary/Middle |
Buckingham County | $32,927 | Buckingham Co Prekindergarten Center |
Buena Vista City | $215,070 | Enderly Heights Elementary, F.W. Kling Jr. Elementary, and Parry McCluer High |
Campbell County | $153,395
| Altavista Elementary, Altavista High, Brookville Middle, Concord Elementary, Leesville Road Elementary, Rustburg Elementary, Rustburg High, Rustburg Middle, Tomahawk Elementary, William Campbell High, and Yellow Branch Elementary |
Caroline County | $140,048 | Bowling Green Elementary, Caroline High, and Caroline Middle |
Carroll County | $232,955 | Carroll County High, Carroll County Middle, Gladesboro Elementary, Gladeville Elementary, and Oakland Elementary |
Chesterfield County | $84,518 | Beulah Elementary |
Clarke County | $1,200 | Johnson-Williams Middle |
Colonial Beach | $48,835 | Colonial Beach Elementary |
Colonial Heights City | $179,718 | Colonial Heights Middle, Lakeview Elementary, North Elementary, and Tussing Elementary |
Craig County | $250,000 | Craig County High and McCleary Elementary |
Culpeper County | $125,647 | A.G. Richardson Elementary, Culpeper Middle, Emerald Hill Elementary, Farmington Elementary, Floyd T. Binns Middle, Pearl Sample Elementary, and Sycamore Park Elementary |
Danville City | $250,000 | Park Avenue Elementary and Woodberry Hills Elementary |
Dinwiddie County | $171,046 | Sunnyside Elementary |
Fairfax County | $250,000 | Fairhill Elementary, Forestdale Elementary, Franconia Elementary, and Lemon Road Elementary |
Fauquier County | $30,000 | Mary Walter Elementary |
Fluvanna County | $128,598 | Central Elementary and Fluvanna Middle |
Franklin City | $132,000 | Franklin High |
Franklin County | $125,336 | Benjamin Franklin Middle, Boones Mill Elementary, Callaway Elementary, Dudley Elementary, Ferrum Elementary, Franklin County High, Glade Hill Elementary, Lee M. Waid Elementary, Rocky Mount Elementary, Snow Creek Elementary, Sontag Elementary, and Windy Gap Elementary |
Frederick County | $42,248 | Apple Pie Ridge Elementary, Bass-Hoover Elementary, James Wood Middle, and Middletown Elementary |
Fredericksburg City | $96,097 | Hugh Mercer Elementary, Lafayette Elementary, and Walker-Grant Middle |
Galax City | $64,794 | Galax Elementary, Galax High and Galax Middle |
Giles County | $33,040 | Macy McClaugherty Elementary/Middle |
Gloucester County | $138,049 | Abingdon Elementary, Achilles Elementary, Bethel Elementary, Botetourt Elementary, Page Middle, and Petsworth Elementary |
Grayson County | $125,449 | Fairview Elementary, Grayson County High, Independence Elementary, and Independence Middle |
Greene County | $50,420 | Nathanael Greene Elementary and William Monroe High |
Halifax County | $215,383 | Clays Mill Elementary, Halifax County Middle, Meadville Elementary, Scottsburg Elementary, Sinai Elementary, South Boston Elementary, and Sydnor Jennings Elementary |
Hampton City | $238,280 | A.W.E. Bassette Elementary, Aberdeen Elementary, Albert W. Patrick III Elementary, Alfred S. Forrest Elementary, Alternative Learning Center, Ann H. Kilgore Gifted Center, Armstrong Elementary, Barron Elementary, Benjamin Syms Middle, Bethel High, C. Alton Lindsay Middle, Captain John Smith Elementary, Cesar Tarrant Middle, Christopher C. Kraft Elementary , Francis Asbury Elementary, Francis W. Jones Magnet Middle, George P. Phenix Elementary, Hampton High, Hunter B. Andrews, Jane H. Bryan Elementary, Kecoughtan High, Luther W. Machen Elementary , Mary S. Peake Elementary, Mary T. Christian Elementary, Mary W. Jackson Elementary, Moton Early Childhood Center, Paul Burbank Elementary, Phillips Elementary, Phoebus High, Samuel P. Langley Elementary, Thomas Eaton Middle, and William Mason Cooper Elementary |
Harrisonburg City | $174,822 | Bluestone Elementary, Skyline Middle, Smithland Elementary, and Waterman Elementary |
Henrico County | $198,656 | Arthur Ashe Jr. Elementary, Chamberlayne Elementary, Crestview Elementary, Greenwood Elementary, Harvie Elementary, Henry D. Ward Elementary, Longdale Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Seven Pines Elementary, and Skipwith Elementary |
Henry County | $244,000 | Fieldale-Collinsville Middle, G.W. Carver Elementary, and Laurel Park Middle |
Hopewell City | $250,000
| Carter G. Woodson Middle, Dupont Elementary, Harry E. James Elementary, Hopewell High, Patrick Copeland Elementary and Woodlawn Pre-School Learning Center |
King George County | $20,800 | King George Middle, Potomac Elementary, and Sealston Elementary |
King William County | $66,883 | Hamilton Holmes Middle |
King and Queen County | $169,600 | Central High and Lawson-Marriott Elementary |
Lee County | $214,371 | Dryden Elementary, Elk Knob Elementary, Flatwoods Elementary, Rose Hill Elementary, and St. Charles Elementary |
Louisa County | $215,169 | Louisa County High, Louisa County Middle, Moss-Nuckols Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and Trevilians Elementary |
Lunenburg County | $200,000 | Central High, Kenbridge Elementary, Lunenburg Middle, and Victoria Elementary |
Lynchburg City | $250,000 | Robert S. Payne Elementary |
Madison County | $73,376 | Madison County High, Waverly Yowell Elementary, and William H. Wetsel Middle |
Manassas City | $250,000 | George Carr Round Elementary and Richard C. Haydon Elementary |
Martinsville City | $112,895 | Albert Harris Elementary, Clearview Early Learning Center, Martinsville High, Martinsville Middle, and Patrick Henry Elementary |
Mathews County | $6,992 | Thomas Hunter Middle |
Middlesex County | $49,041 | Middlesex High |
Newport News City | $105,674 | B.T. Washington Middle, Crittenden Middle, Denbigh High, Ella J. Fitzgerald Middle, Ethel M. Gildersleeve Middle, Heritage High, Homer L. Hines Middle, Mary Passage Middle, Menchville High, Warwick High, and Woodside High |
Norfolk City | $135,139 | Lindenwood Elementary and Norview Elementary |
Nottoway County | $173,954 | Blackstone Primary, Crewe Primary, Nottoway Intermediate, and Nottoway Middle |
Page County | $73,832 | Luray Elementary, Luray High, Luray Middle, Page County High, Page County Middle, Shenandoah Elementary, Springfield Elementary, and Stanley Elementary |
Patrick County | $77,098 | Meadows of Dan Elementary, Patrick County High, and Patrick Springs Primary |
Pittsylvania County | $171,109
| Brosville Elementary, Chatham Elementary, Chatham High, Chatham Middle, Dan River High, Dan River Middle, Gretna Elementary, Gretna High, John L. Hurt Elementary, Kentuck Elementary, Mount Airy Elementary, Southside Elementary, Stony Mill Elementary, Tunstall High, Tunstall Middle, Twin Springs Elementary, and Union Hall Elementary |
Poquoson City | $37,266 | Poquoson Primary |
Portsmouth City | $158,173 | Brighton Elementary, Churchland Elementary, Cradock Elementary, Cradock Middle, Douglass Park Elementary, Hodges Manor Elementary, I.C. Norcom High, Lakeview Elementary, Mount Hermon Preschool Center, Olive Branch Preschool Center, Park View Elementary, Waterview Elementary, Westhaven Elementary, and William E. Waters Middle |
Prince Edward County | $250,000 | Prince Edward County High, Prince Edward Elementary, and Prince Edward Middle |
Prince George County | $241,757 | David A. Harrison Elementary, J.E.J. Moore Middle, L.L. Beazley Elementary, Middle Road Elementary, North Elementary, Prince George High, and South Elementary |
Prince William County | $58,309 | Mary Williams Elementary |
Pulaski County | $119,091 | Critzer Elementary, Dublin Elementary, Pulaski County Middle, Pulaski County Senior High, and Snowville Elementary |
Radford City | $25,319 | Radford High |
Rappahannock County | $13,924 | Rappahannock County Elementary |
Richmond City | $244,519 | Albert Hill Middle, Amelia Street Special Education, Armstrong High , Barack Obama Elementary, Bellevue Elementary, Blackwell Elementary, Broad Rock Elementary, Cardinal Elementary, Chimborazo Elementary, Dogwood Middle, Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary, Frances W. McClenney Elementary, Franklin Military Academy, G.H. Reid Elementary, George W. Carver Elementary, Henry Marsh III Elementary, Huguenot High, J.B. Fisher Elementary, J.H. Blackwell Preschool, J.L. Francis Elementary, John Marshall High, Linwood Holton Elementary, Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary, Lucille M. Brown Middle, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle , Martin Luther King Jr. Preschool, Mary Munford Elementary, Mary Scott Preschool, Maymont Preschool, Miles Jones Elementary, Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary, Open High, Overby-Sheppard Elementary, Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts, Richmond Alternative School, Richmond Community High, Richmond High School for the Arts, River City Middle, Southampton Elementary, Summer Hill Preschool Center, Swansboro Elementary, Thomas C. Boushall Middle, Thomas H. Henderson Middle School, Thomas Jefferson High, Westover Hills Elementary, William Fox Elementary, and Woodville Elementary |
Roanoke City | $25,680 | Round Hill Elementary |
Roanoke County | $65,169 | Glenvar Elementary |
Rockbridge County | $185,178 | Maury River Middle and Rockbridge County High |
Rockingham County | $9,014 | Montevideo Middle and Wilbur S. Pence Middle |
Russell County | $14,160 | Belfast Elementary and Lebanon Elementary |
Shenandoah County | $178,376 | Ashby-Lee Elementary School, Sandy Hook Elementary, Stonewall Jackson High School, and W.W. Robinson Elementary |
Smyth County | $100,524 | Atkins Elementary, Chilhowie Middle, Marion Elementary, Marion Middle, Saltville Elementary, and Sugar Grove Elementary |
Southampton County | $195,069 | Capron Elementary, Meherrin Elementary, Nottoway Elementary, Riverdale Elementary, Southampton High, and Southampton Middle |
Spotsylvania County | $245,724 | Smith Station Elementary, Spotsylvania Elementary, and Spotsylvania Middle |
Stafford County | $128,769 | Andrew G. Wright Middle, Anne E. Moncure Elementary, Donald B. Dixon-Lyle R. Smith Middle, Edward E. Drew Jr. Middle, Falmouth Elementary, H.H. Poole Middle, North Stafford High, Stafford Elementary, Stafford Middle, Stafford Senior High, and Widewater Elementary |
Staunton City | $145,829 | Arthur R. Ware Elementary, Bessie Weller Elementary, and Staunton High |
Suffolk City | $218,328 | Creekside Elementary, Mack Benn Jr. Elementary, and Northern Shores Elementary |
Surry County | $37,052 | Surry Elementary |
Sussex County | $124,846 | Sussex Central Elementary and Sussex Central High |
Tazewell County | $134,691 | Abb's Valley-Boissevain Elementary, Cedar Bluff Elementary, Dudley Primary, Graham Intermediate, Graham Middle, Richlands Elementary, Tazewell Intermediate, Tazewell Middle, and Tazewell Primary |
Virginia Beach City | $123,730 | Corporate Landing Middle, Hermitage Elementary, Indian Lakes Elementary, King's Grant Elementary, Kingston Elementary, Larkspur Middle, Linkhorn Park Elementary, Lynnhaven Elementary, Plaza Middle, Point O' View Elementary, Salem Middle, Virginia Beach Middle, W.T. Cooke Elementary, and White Oaks Elementary |
Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind | $11,032 | Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind |
Warren County | $31,611 | Hilda J. Barbour Elementary, Skyline High, and Warren County Middle |
Washington County | $5,322 | Damascus Middle, E.B. Stanley Middle, Wallace Middle and Watauga Elementary |
Waynesboro City | $141,113 | Kate Collins Middle, Waynesboro High, Wenonah Elementary, and Westwood Hills Elementary |
Westmoreland County | $250,000 | Washington District Elementary |
Williamsburg-James City County | $24,246 | D.J. Montague Elementary, Matthew Whaley Elementary, and Norge Elementary |
Winchester City | $12,001 | Daniel Morgan Middle and Garland R. Quarles Elementary |
Wise County | $109,903 | Central High, Coeburn Middle, Coeburn Primary, Eastside High, J.W. Adams Combined, L.F. Addington Middle, Union High, Union Middle, Union Primary, and Wise Primary |
Wythe County | $23,944 | Fort Chiswell High, Fort Chiswell Middle, George Wythe High, Jackson Memorial Elementary, Max Meadows Elementary, Rural Retreat Elementary, Rural Retreat High, Rural Retreat Middle, Scott Memorial Middle, Sheffey Elementary, Speedwell Elementary, and Spiller Elementary |
York County | $160,000 | Bruton High |