Virginia is working to ensure its schools are safe and supportive. This page features school climate information for Virginia, including a list of grants the State and its communities have received; State discipline and bullying policies; data for a selection of indicators; and related news articles.
Grants Received
State Grant Programs
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law in 2015. The Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program falls under ESSA, subpart 1 of Title IV, Part A. The SSAE program is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. States receive funds in the form of block grants and then fund local education agencies. To learn more, visit the T4PA Center website.
In 2019, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This state is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/05/28/2020-11388/applicat....
In 2019, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. VDOE is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/06/21/2019-13289/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program.
In 2014, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) received a School Climate Transformation grant. With this 5-year grant, VDOE developed state-wide support systems and provided technical assistance to local educational agencies and schools on implementing evidence-based multi-tiered behavioral frameworks. The primary goal was to improve behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for all students. To find out more about this grant go to: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/schoolclimatesea/index.html.
In 2014, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) received a Project AWARE grant through the Now is the Time initiative. VDOE used this 5-year grant to 1) train adults on responding to mental health issues when interacting with school-aged youth, 2) connect children, youth and families who required support to appropriate mental health services, and 3) implement Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid in State and local training programs. For more information about this grant, go to: https://www.samhsa.gov/grants/grant-announcements/sm-21-006.
Local Educational Agency and District Grant Programs
In 2022, Lynchburg City Schools received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/04/2022-21631/applications-for-new-awards-school-based-mental-health-services-grant-program.
In 2022, Campbell County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Newport News Public Schools received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/04/2022-21631/applications-for-new-awards-school-based-mental-health-services-grant-program.
In 2023, Winchester School Board received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This university is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program.
In 2022, Portsmouth City School Board received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This university is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program.
State Education Agency
In 2022, The Commonwealth of Virginia State Board of Education received a School-Based Mental Health Services grant. This district is using this 5-year grant to increase the number of qualified (i.e., licensed, certified, well-trained, or credentialed, as defined in the notice inviting applications) mental health service providers that provide school-based mental health services to students in local educational agencies (LEAs) with demonstrated need. To find out more about this grant, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/10/04/2022-21631/applications-for-new-awards-school-based-mental-health-services-grant-program.
Institution of Higher of Education
In 2022, Rector and Vistors of the University of Virginia received a Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant. This university is using this 5-year grant to support and demonstrate innovative partnerships to train school-based mental health services providers for employment in schools and local educational agencies (LEAs). The goal of this program is to expand the pipeline of high-quality, trained providers to address the shortages of mental health service professionals in schools served by high-need LEAs. To find out more about this program, visit: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/11/28/2022-25824/applications-for-new-awards-mental-health-service-professional-demonstration-grant-program.
Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property
Indicator 1: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Had Been Threatened or Injured with a Weapon (For Example, a Gun, Knife, or Club) on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 1: Threatened or Injured with a Weapon on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2011 | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| 2013 | 6.1 | 6.9 |
| 2015 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
| 2017 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
| 2019 | 7.9 | 7.4 |
| 2021 | 6.9 | 6.6 |
Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property
Indicator 2: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Having Been in a Physical Fight on School Property One or More Times During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009. This state did not have data for this indicator in 2013, 2019, or 2021.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 2: Involved in Physical Fight on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2011 | 7.9 | 12.0 |
| 2015 | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| 2017 | 6.5 | 8.5 |
Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property
Indicator 3: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported that they Were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug by Someone on School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009. This state did not have data for this indicator in 2013.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 3: Offered, Sold, or Given Illegal Drugs on School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2011 | 24.0 | 25.6 |
| 2015 | 15.6 | 21.7 |
| 2017 | 15.5 | 19.8 |
| 2019 | 14.0 | 21.8 |
| 2021 | 20.5 | 22.2 |
Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide
Indicator 4: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported They Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 4: Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2011 | 16.9 | 15.8 |
| 2013 | 14.7 | 17.0 |
| 2015 | 14.0 | 17.7 |
| 2017 | 15.7 | 17.2 |
| 2019 | 16.0 | 18.8 |
| 2021 | 9.0 | 13.9 |
Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property
Indicator 5: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported Being Bullied On School Property During the 12 Months Before the Survey
This state did not participate in data collection in 2009.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 5: Bullied On School Property | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2011 | 20.3 | 20.1 |
| 2013 | 21.9 | 19.6 |
| 2015 | 19.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017 | 15.7 | 19.0 |
| 2019 | 17.4 | 19.5 |
| 2021 | 12.1 | 15.0 |
Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good
Indicator 6: Percentage of High School Students Who Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good (Poor Mental Health Includes Stress, Anxiety, and Depression) During the 30 Days Before the Survey
Data for this indicator are not available before 2021.
Citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/results.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2023.
| Indicator 6: Reported That Their Mental Health Was Most Of The Time Or Always Not Good | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Virginia | US |
| 2021 | 31.7 | 29.3 |