RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) – The Virginia Department of Education announced 472 Virginia schools received $12 million in School Security Equipment Grants to help protect students, faculty and staff, and visitors.
Equipment approved for purchase with the grants includes 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 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 doors of their school. These grants help create safe, supportive environments, both on school grounds and while traveling to and from school.”
The 472 schools were awarded funds based on the school’s need of modern security equipment, numbers of offenses, needs identified by a school security audit, and ability to afford security upgrades.
Listed below are the grant amounts and schools 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 |
| 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 |
| Gloucester County | $138,049 | Abingdon Elementary, Achilles Elementary, Bethel Elementary, Botetourt Elementary, Page Middle, and Petsworth 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 |
| Mathews County | $6,992 | Thomas Hunter Middle |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Southampton County | $195,069 | Capron Elementary, Meherrin Elementary, Nottoway Elementary, Riverdale Elementary, Southampton High, and Southampton Middle |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Williamsburg-James City County | $24,246 | D.J. Montague Elementary, Matthew Whaley Elementary, and Norge Elementary |
| York County | $160,000 | Bruton High |