Chesterfield County Public Schools highlights student creativity at annual Arts Fest. Mar 24, 2026 Chesterfield County Public Schools announced on March 24 that its annual Arts Fest is underway, showcasing the artistic talents of students across the district. The event aligns with national Youth Art Month, Music in Its Schools Month, and Theater in Its Schools Month, all observed in March. Arts Fest offers a range of free displays and performances open to the community. These include visual art exhibits from both virtual and traditional schools, elementary school art installations, and a showcase for secondary fine and performing arts. A centerpiece of this year's celebration is the Mini Museum at Chesterfield Towne Center. This record-breaking display features approximately 2,416 miniature artworks created by 2,196 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Mini Museum remains open to visitors through April 19 during mall hours. Student artwork from Chesterfield Virtual School and CCPSOnline can be viewed online around the clock at oneccps.org. Additionally, elementary school paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other works are displayed at local public library branches and the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education between March 23 and April 25. The Secondary Fine and Performing Arts Showcase will take place on April 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on April 12 from noon to 4 p.m., at Clover Hill High School. The schedule includes performances by all-county middle school bands, jazz ensembles named after Duke Ellington and Count Basie, guitar ensembles, fiddle groups on April 11; as well as dance performances by specialty center students plus string, percussion, jazz bands from Clover Hill High School and Thomas Dale High School on April 12. By bringing together visual arts with music and theater performances across multiple venues - both physical spaces throughout Chesterfield County as well as online galleries - the district aims to provide broad access for families while celebrating student achievement.

Six Chesterfield high school seniors receive scholarships at Black History Month event. Feb 24, 2026 Six high school seniors from Chesterfield County were awarded Leadership for the 21st Century scholarships during an event held on February 20 at Virginia State University's Gateway Dining and Event Center. The annual Black History Month Breakfast and Scholarship Recognition Program was organized by Chesterfield County, Chesterfield County Public Schools, and Virginia State University. The scholarship essay prompt asked students to reflect on the 2026 Black History Month theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations." Each recipient received a $2,500 scholarship. One student was selected from each of the county's five magisterial districts, with a sixth chosen from a regional governor's school. This year's winners are Dexter Richardson from Thomas Dale High School (Bermuda District), Sydney Williams from Monacan High School (Clover Hill District), Tierra Moore from L.C. Bird High School (Dale District), Diamond Jennings from Manchester High School (Matoaca District), Miracle Muhammad from Midlothian High School (Midlothian District), and David Lins from Maggie Walker Governor's School (Regional). Chesterfield County has observed Black History Month for 37 years through various programs recognizing African American heritage and contributions to both the community and the nation. The Honorable Cleo Powell, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, participated in a fireside chat at the event. She discussed her experience as "the only African American woman in Virginia's history to ascend to the Commonwealth's highest judicial seat." Shelby Brown, a veteran local journalist, moderated the conversation. Chesterfield County Public Schools is the only district in the county and enrolled 64,183 students during the 2023-24 school year according to data from the Virginia Department of Education (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Of these schools, Thomas Dale High School had the largest enrollment with 2,582 students during that period (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). White students made up 43% of total enrollment with 27,369 students; Black students accounted for 26.2%, totaling 16,632 individuals (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Overall enrollment increased by 0.8% compared to the previous year - rising to 63,613 students in 2023-24 from 63,105 previously (https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home). Virginia State Senator Glen Sturtevant voiced opposition to certain legislative measures and state economic policies in a series of posts dated February 17 and February 19, 2026. Glen Sturtevant, Republican State Senator for Virginia's 12th district, posted on February 19, 2026 criticizing Democratic leadership and voicing opposition to renewed U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. The Prince George County Police Department released its activity report covering the period from February 2 to February 15, 2026.

CCPS recognizes teachers with 2025 R.E.B. awards. Nov 17, 2025 Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced that four of its teachers have been awarded the 2025 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. These educators will receive nearly $50,000 in professional development grants from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and the R.E.B. Foundation. According to CCPS, Amber Kuper, an art teacher at L.C. Bird High School with 22 years of experience, was awarded $15,000. She plans to study the historical and modern artistic exchanges between Japan and France by visiting locations such as the Louvre, Claude Monet's gardens, Mount Fuji, and UNESCO World Heritage sites to inspire her students. Annwyn Long, a first-grade teacher at Alberta Smith Elementary with 34 years of experience, received $9,700. Long intends to research American quilting traditions and guide students in creating a collaborative school quilt that integrates heritage, math, and creativity. Bryan Sheetz, a turf management teacher at Thomas Dale High School with 23 years of teaching experience, won $14,300. He aims to visit sports facilities nationwide and attend professional conferences to learn best practices in turf management to bring back to his students. Jenifer Williams, a kindergarten teacher at Enon Elementary with 32 years of experience, earned $10,000 for travel to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. CCPS also reported that five additional Chesterfield County teachers were named R.E.B. finalists and each received $1,000: Kenzie Clark, Alysse Cullinan, Alison Graham, Melissa Ligh, and Sarah Petty. These awards recognize the teachers' dedication and innovation in their classrooms with projects ranging from art and language studies to cultural exploration and practical skill development. Chesterfield County Public Schools serves over 64,000 students across 67 schools with a budget of $1 billion. The district boasts full accreditation and reports a 91% on-time graduation rate with approximately 4,700 graduates annually who earn millions in scholarship awards. The district includes seven National Blue Ribbon Schools among other accolades. Governed by a five-member School Board, CCPS follows the strategic plan "Imagine Beyond Tomorrow" aimed at promoting lifelong learning and preparing college- and career-ready graduates.