Education

The Southwest Virginia Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab School is one of 15 approved by the state and among the first six to open.

The guidance is more strict than the current policies in place in many public schools. It’s unclear whether there could be consequences for school divisions that don’t comply.

Though Martinsville’s absenteeism is lower than many other school divisions its size, it already refers far more cases to truancy court than like-sized school divisions in the state.

There’s broad support for limiting students’ use of cellphones during the school day. But families are increasingly made up of digital natives who are used to being able to communicate instantly. How will they fare under anticipated new guidance for Virginia schools?

It’s unclear when, or if, the Martinsville higher education center will reach an agreement with its original foundation regarding control of $13 million in assets.

The city’s two high schools are operating over capacity. Other options include building a new comprehensive high school or adding onto the existing schools.

The project will add much-needed space to the small-animal side of the facility, which opened in 1987.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville and United Way of Henry County and Martinsville were among those chosen for funding this year.

Statewide, chronic absenteeism dropped from 19% in 2022-2023 to 16% in 2023-2024.

Sandel has overseen more than $138 million in new building construction and renovations, and the college’s foundation has grown from $1 million to $34 million in assets under management.