VBCPS consists of 56 elementary, 14 middle and 11 high schools with a student population of 69,365. As of 2010 demographics are: Caucasian (55.4 percent), African American (27.1 percent), Hispanic (6.1 percent), Asian (5.8 percent), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (0.9 percent), Native American (0.4 percent), Unspecified Ethnicity (4.2 percent). Three seniors at Bayside High School landed the prestigious 2010 Gates Millennium Scholarship. The dropout rate is 1.32 percent, with a graduation rate of 85 percent. The Adult Learning Center exceeds all other school districts in Virginia in awarding GEDs.
VBCPS boasts a high caliber staff of 15,750 employees, with 1/3 who are substitute or temporary employees. The 5,742 full-time teachers each average 15.2 years teaching experience. Salaries range from $38,596 to $65,585, the highest in Virginia, and there are 90 board certified teachers, as well as, 50.38 percent of teachers who hold graduate degrees. This is a very attractive profile for both parents and potential teachers.
VBPCS is ahead of the curve in the use of technology to further education. Parents have the capacity to view children's grades by partnering on technology. Teachers use "smartboard" technology in class enabling students to take the lead and teach in the classroom. There are 2-to-1 students per computer, which include desktops and laptops, and a Computer Resource Specialist in every school. Online courses and distance learning laboratories are in the Advanced Learning Centers in 11 middle schools and 11 high schools.
The Virginia Department of Education awarded the 2010 Title 1 Distinguished School honors to W.T. Cooke Elementary school. Renaissance Academy, offering six alternative education programs, contains a museum honoring the African American school which was once on the same site. The School Nutrition Association awarded the District of Excellence for the nutrition program. The 2009 to 2010 Governor's Career and Technical Education Exemplary Standards Award was presented to the Automotive Service Technology Program and school nurse Lois Smith of Cox High School was chosen for the Outstanding School Nurse Award and the volleyball team at Kellam High won the Girls Varsity 2010 to 2011 State Championship.