![VBCPS students outperform state on SOL tests]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1656618423/vbschoolscom/dqwfhmoqecqdt0rccvnf/008.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1656618423/vbschoolscom/dqwfhmoqecqdt0rccvnf/008.jpg","width":330}])
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released Standard of Learning (SOL) pass rate data on Aug. 27. The overall SOL pass rates for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) exceeded the state pass rates in all subject areas.
![Advanced Technology Center (ATC) Open House]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762185199/vbschoolscom/sded3wziypvbkvv1vnyx/ATCOpenHouse.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762185199/vbschoolscom/sded3wziypvbkvv1vnyx/ATCOpenHouse.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762185199/vbschoolscom/sded3wziypvbkvv1vnyx/ATCOpenHouse.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1762185199/vbschoolscom/sded3wziypvbkvv1vnyx/ATCOpenHouse.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762185199/vbschoolscom/sded3wziypvbkvv1vnyx/ATCOpenHouse.png","width":1220}])
![Back-to-School Care Fair offers free resources, backpacks and fun for VBCPS families]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1755099979/vbschoolscom/xippzk6ydkd00gmciiw3/001.jpg","width":2200}])
![Virginia Beach City Public Schools Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for 16th Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748538366/vbschoolscom/ooj5ws2enad7kidbn5f2/015.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748538366/vbschoolscom/ooj5ws2enad7kidbn5f2/015.jpg","width":379}])
![2025 Citywide Volunteers of the Year]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681847284/vbschoolscom/lvtobimcudyjvqg5erm4/0015.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1681847284/vbschoolscom/lvtobimcudyjvqg5erm4/0015.jpg","width":380}])
![Virginia Beach City Public Schools selects 2025 Model Partners]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746033249/vbschoolscom/rmkiwbef4ca6xxcqjwa0/012.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746033249/vbschoolscom/rmkiwbef4ca6xxcqjwa0/012.png","width":379}])
![Virginia Beach City Public Schools adopts Zum technology platform for student transportation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744124904/vbschoolscom/gy3zytc4zn6xwmh26vie/011.jpg","width":2200}])
![Virginia Beach City Public Schools launches enhanced school bus safety program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741278043/vbschoolscom/vlxd9szo6rj73nqhogcn/010.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741278043/vbschoolscom/vlxd9szo6rj73nqhogcn/010.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1741278043/vbschoolscom/vlxd9szo6rj73nqhogcn/010.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741278043/vbschoolscom/vlxd9szo6rj73nqhogcn/010.jpg","width":1200}])
![Kathleen Brown elected as School Board chairwoman, Carolyn Weems elected vice chairwoman]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736954400/vbschoolscom/ytsynadc6qqjfvffuqjy/009.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736954400/vbschoolscom/ytsynadc6qqjfvffuqjy/009.jpg","width":330}])
Our School
About Us
ODS is a school that houses a general intellectual aptitude program (grades 3-8), gifted dance program (grades 3-8), and gifted visual arts program (grades 3-5) for gifted learners who demonstrate advanced levels of performance and evidence of potential to be successful in a rigorous learning environment where the core curriculum and pacing provided are compacted and accelerated. Limited seats are available; therefore, enrollment at ODS is application-based.
Our School Plan
Each year, our school develops a plan for continuous improvement. By closely examining student data, we set goals to support the growth and success of every student. We value the partnership of our families and community—please contact the school to learn more or explore ways to support this work.
Our Plan for 2025-2026 at a Glance
At Old Donation School, we are dedicated to advancing mastery, growth, and engagement for all learners through gifted education, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, and challenge that develops students’ academic excellence, leadership, and future-ready skills. This year we have four goals.
- Goal 1: Strengthen Literacy Achievement
- Goal 2: Strengthen Mathematics Achievement
- Goal 3: Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
- Goal 4: Strengthen Future-Ready Learning and Engagement
Goal 1: Strengthen Literacy Achievement
By June 2026, the number of students in grades 3–8 who score Pass Advanced on their Reading SOL will increase by 5% over the previous school year.
How we’ll get there
- Use observation feedback cycles to strengthen schoolwide literacy practices.
- Facilitate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to integrate literacy strategies across all content areas.
- Model explicit literacy instruction during Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) meetings.
- Conduct weekly administrative team meetings to align observation feedback.
- Implement reciprocal peer observations to promote collaboration and sharing of WICOR best practices.
- Coordinate strategy sharing across grade levels and departments to strengthen literacy connections.
- Provide ongoing professional development focused on gifted pedagogy.
- Support literacy development through ODS All-In Tutoring and instructional coaching participation in gifted program PD.
Goal 2: Strengthen Mathematics Achievement
By June 2026, the number of students in grades 3–8 who score Pass Advanced on their Math SOL (including Algebra I and Geometry) will increase by 5% over the previous school year.
How we’ll get there
- Strengthen numeracy through Algebra Readiness Diagnostic Testing (ARDT), Academic Support, and tutoring during lunch, Focus, and after school.
- Align Focus and Academic Support with AVID strategies.
- Conduct AVID learning walks to ensure consistency in best practices.
- Expand math enrichment opportunities such as Kangaroo Math, MathCounts, and optional math tutoring.
- Implement reciprocal peer observations to encourage collaboration and sharing of strategies across programs.
- Facilitate ongoing informal collaboration between departments and grade levels.
- Provide professional learning focused on gifted pedagogy.
- Offer peer-led “Pineapple PD” and ODS All-In Tutoring to extend enrichment and support.
Goal 3: Reduce Chronic Absenteeism
By June 2026, the number of attendance waivers submitted will decrease by 10% from the previous school yea.
How we’ll get there
- Communicate daily absences using accurate attendance coding and absence management software.
- Use ParentSquare and other communication tools to notify families of absences.
- Maintain accurate records for early release and late arrivals.
- Review attendance data regularly to identify at-risk students.
- Hold Student Response Team (SRT) meetings for students requiring attendance waivers.
- Maintain attendance contracts for at-risk students and collaborate with families.
- Partner with social workers and support staff to address barriers to attendance.
Goal 4: Strengthen Future-Ready Learning and Engagement
By June 2026, 75% of students in grades 3–8 will participate in athletics, extracurricular activities, or volunteer service.
How we’ll get there
- Increase equitable opportunities for site-based service, volunteerism, and clubs.
- Maintain an updated directory of opportunities on ODS Canvas.
- Strengthen partnerships with professional, collegiate, trade-based, and military affiliates.
- Create and maintain a Partners in Education database to expand career and service connections.
Brickell Academy (formerly known as Kemps Landing/Old Donation School) is a centralized, full-time, gifted school serving identified students in grades two through eight. Admission is application-based and requires that students meet the criteria for gifted identification in VBCPS.
The curriculum includes all school district learning objectives, the Virginia Standards of Learning and expands and extends the curriculum specifically to meet the needs of the gifted learner. Specialized lessons and units include research and independent study as major components within each subject area.
Extra-curricular activities include options such as Future Problem Solving, yearbook, SCA, and other clubs in which students have special interest.
The current school was created in 2014 by the merger of Kemps Landing Magnet School and Old Donation Center.
Kemps Landing Background Information
Kemps Landing Magnet School opened its doors in September 1995 for academically gifted sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in Virginia Beach. As one of the options in Virginia Beach's gifted program, KLMS is an alternative program to which students may choose to apply. Academic rigor and challenge characterize the offerings at KLMS. Not only do students pursue topics at an accelerated pace, but they also explore course topics in greater depth and detail. The school has been created to provide a choice for gifted middle school students and their parents who seek greater academic challenges.
Old Donation Center Background Information
On March 17, 1998, the Virginia Beach School Board approved a redesigned gifted elementary school plan. This vote paved the way for 400 academically gifted students to attend a single-site gifted elementary school at the Old Donation Center. In addition, this new model includes resource teachers to work in each elementary school to provide differentiated gifted services.
The elementary gifted school increased enrollment to 500 students in the 1999-2000 school year. The gifted school for the arts, which includes the art and dance programs for students in grades 3 through 8, continues to be housed at Old Donation Center.