VBCPS - Charting the Course
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Natalie Allen
Date: 01/23/23 Phone: 757.263.1313
News Release No. 009 Fax: 757.263.1010
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Virginia Beach school earns national
distinguished schools award

Bayside Sixth Grade Campus has been named a 2022-23 National ESEA Distinguished School. Two schools from every state receive the award, which is presented by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. Bayside Sixth is being acknowledged for demonstrating exceptional student performance for two consecutive years.

"This recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment of the administrators, educators, staff, families and community members to their students' current and future achievements," said Dr. Aaron Spence, superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. "Under Principal Sham Bevel's leadership, Bayside Sixth has modeled how a more intimate school environment enables teachers and administrators to build stronger relationships with students and their families."

ESEA is an acronym for the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This award recognizes schools that are examples of superior, federally funded school programs. These schools demonstrate a wide array of strengths, including team approaches to teaching and learning, focused professional development opportunities for staff, individualized programs for student success and strong partnerships between the school, parents and community, according to the organization.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools started Bayside Sixth Grade Campus in 2014 to address the needs of students in this transitional grade level.

"We empower students to confidently pursue interests and focus on opportunities that lead to success," Principal Sham Bevel said. "Our teachers, specialists, and support staff collaborate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to plan lessons, review student data, and integrate research-based instructional practices. As a school, we make sure all we do is aligned with our Plan for Continuous Improvement, so the purpose, goals, and strategies support our path to progress."

This is the third time in the past four years that a Virginia Beach Title I school has been selected to represent the state of Virginia for this award. Parkway Elementary was a 2020-21 National ESEA Distinguished School, and Rosemont Elementary School earned the honor in 2019-20. Bayside Sixth Grade Campus will be recognized during the National ESEA Conference next month in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information, visit the ESEA Network website.

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Department of Communications and Community Engagement, [email protected]

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