The Shenandoah County school system is committed to excellence and has high expectations for all students in kindergarten through grade 12. The curriculum provides for continuous progress and focuses on how students learn and develop. As state and national standards change, local core curricula are altered to accommodate those revisions. 

Elementary (Grades K-5)

Shenandoah County's youngest students begin school with a full-day kindergarten program. The kindergarten through grade 5 program is designed to be developmentally appropriate and to provide a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all students. The curriculum addresses the development of knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes, and a broad range of content (language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, music, art, technology) that is relevant and meaningful to children. An integrated approach to curriculum, which recognizes the natural interrelation between content areas in instruction, builds upon what children already know and are able to do and fosters development of thinking, reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving. 

Middle (Grades 6-8)
The middle school curriculum is designed to meet the needs of developing adolescents. Academic emphasis is on the development of skills in reading, language arts, math, science, social studies, and physical education. Many exploratory classes allow students to discover their own interests. Students may participate in a range of school activities and extracurricular programs. The middle schools in Shenandoah County seek to provide a gradual transition from elementary to high school. 

Secondary (Grades 9-12)

The high school curriculum includes college preparatory and advanced placement courses, work/study programs, and vocational and technical training that provide entry-level job skills. Student organizations provide experiences in responsible citizenship and give students a voice in school operations. Athletic programs, musical organizations, drama groups, school publications, and debate and forensic teams complement academic offerings, allowing students to explore their interests and develop their skills. 

Special Needs.....Special Solutions
Special attention is given to students who need remedial or advanced programs. Resource teachers assist students who meet the requirement for remedial reading or math instruction. The federal-funded Title I program provides additional services to eligible students through reading specialists and special instructional materials. A differentiated educational program is provided for gifted students in kindergarten through grade 12. A gifted resource specialist in each school provides services to students and classroom teachers. Children with disabilities receive individualized instruction and accommodations through special education services or a Section 504 educational plan. The special education program begins with the preschooler, age two, and continues to offer a free and appropriate public education for students through age 21. Whenever possible, students attend regular classes and have the assistance of specialists. Individualized education programs are developed annually to meet their needs.

Mission

 The Mission of Shenandoah County Public Schools is to prepare each student for a future of life-long learning. We believe that:

• The success of Shenandoah County Public Schools rests with how well we prepare our students for the future
• All members of the learning community are valued and respected
• A work environment must encourage and support trust, mutual respect, open communications, and risk taking
• Processes which allow for continuous improvement and problem solving are essential
• The education of all members of the learning community is a shared responsibility.

Vision

The Vision of Shenandoah County Public Schools is to be the first choice for education by:

• Producing individuals who have the skills, ability, and attitudes to succeed as productive citizens and develop a mindset of life-time learning
• Demonstrating high standards and expectations for all school personnel
• Maximizing the utilization of school resources
• Fostering goals and values that will be embraced by those whom the school division touches
• Recognizing superior performance
• Comparing favorably with Virginia standards.

Belief Statements

Great communities come from great schools; therefore, we believe.....

• All decisions are based on the best interest of our students.
• Meaningful learning occurs only in the presence of meaningful relationships.
• Measures of success are unique and individualized for each learner.
• Continuous growth and improvement is expected for everyone.
• Problem solving is an essential skill.
• An atmosphere of respect must exist.
• The education of our children is an investment of time, labor, and resources in our future.