Fredericksburg City Schools Profile
- Number
of Students: 3,762 - Number
of Teachers: 252.50 (FTE)
Dr. Marci Catlett isn’t charting a new course for the
2024–25 school year. Instead, she’s building on the foundation she has laid
since becoming superintendent.
“We’re going to continue our teamwork in terms of doing
what’s best for the children and moving forward in our work to make this the
best school division,” she said.
Catlett acknowledges that’s a lofty goal but adds it’s the
standard she has always held herself to. “I’m looking to create a better
situation all the time.”
The division is taking a significant step forward this year
with two new initiatives. In the spring, Fredericksburg City Public Schools
announced it would join the Comprehensive Instructional Program (CIP), a
consortium of Virginia public schools that has achieved notable academic
improvements under the leadership of Matt Hurt.
“We will be aligning with the four points that Hurt
identified as affecting learning outcomes,” Catlett said. These are:
- Keeping
the main thing the main thing. - Data-driven
decision-making. - Setting
high expectations. - Supporting
people, not programs.
The fourth point — supporting people, not programs — means
the city will “empower our staff to build the program” using all the tools CIP
provides. Teachers will also have a seat at the table with Catlett and her
leadership team, contributing ideas about how the program works and what
improvements can be made.
While this change alone is significant, another initiative
announced this summer — one of the region’s most comprehensive cell phone
programs — has garnered even more attention.
Students in middle and high school will be required to store
their phones in Yondr pouches when they enter school and will not have access
to them during the day.
The district had a “no cell phone policy” last year that
limited phone use to lunch periods, but it was largely ineffective.
This year, the division is taking a stricter approach.
Deputy Superintendent Matt Eberhardt said students who violate the protocols
will be sent home.
“We are not going to argue with students,” Eberhardt said.
“We are serious about this policy.”
Catlett emphasized the move is not punitive but rather an
effort to “encourage human interaction.”
“We all need to learn to put cell phones away for our own
mental health and engage person-to-person,” she said.
Other priorities for the school year include implementing
the Virginia Literacy Act and the James Farmer Scholars program.
Additionally, the district will take significant steps
toward converting Walker-Grant Middle School into the city’s third elementary
school and plans to strengthen its Career and Technical Education offerings.
For now, the focus is on spreading the word about the new
cell phone policy as the start of the school year approaches.
“We’re in the people business,” Catlett said. This year, the
district aims to ensure that everyone — from administration and teachers to
students and support staff — is working together.
A cell phone ban that applies to everyone underscores how
serious the district is about fostering student success.
Key Dates
- Transition
Day: August 5 - School
Begins: August 6 - Thanksgiving
Break: November 27–29 - Winter
Holiday: December 23–January 3 - Spring
Break: March 24–31
Last Day of School: May 23
