Schools & Family Info
School calendars, family resources, childcare information, and things to do with kids in Radford.
Radford City Schools
Superintendent: Dr. Adam Joyce
Radford City Schools (RCPS) serves approximately 3,200 students across four schools. The district operates independently from Montgomery County and is overseen by a five-member elected school board.
McHarg Elementary School
Grades Pre-K – 2
Home of the Parent Education Resource Center (PERC)
Belle Heth Elementary School
Grades 3 – 5
Dalton Intermediate School
Grades 6 – 8
Radford High School
Grades 9 – 12
School Calendar Highlights
The RCPS school year typically runs from mid-August through early June. Key dates for the 2025–2026 calendar:
First Day of School
Mid-August 2025
Thanksgiving Break
Late November 2025
Winter Break
Late Dec – Early Jan
Spring Break
Late March 2026
Last Day of School
Early June 2026
School Board Meetings
2nd Tuesday monthly
For the full calendar, visit the RCPS website at rcps.org/calendars
Family Resources
Parent Education Resource Center (PERC)
Located at McHarg Elementary. Offers support for all families, especially those with students with special needs. Provides guidance on special education, connects families to community resources, and maintains a lending library of educational materials.
Hours: Virtual: Mon 3:30–5:30PM, Wed 6–7PM · On-site: Tue/Thu 3:30–5:30PM, Wed 3:15–4:45PM, Fri 3:30–4:30PM
Preschool Program
RCPS offers a preschool program — contact the school division for enrollment details and availability.
School Nutrition
Free meals available for students. Apply online through the RCPS website. Special dietary needs accommodated.
Student Services
504 Plans, Gifted programs, English Learners support, Special Education, Title I Reading, Home Instruction.
Transportation
School bus transportation available. Contact RCPS for route information and stop locations.
Family-Friendly Activities
Bisset Park
Playground, picnic shelters, river access, and the Riverway Trail — great for family walks and bike rides.
Wildwood Park
Nature trails, wildlife viewing, and the outdoor classroom. A 50-acre wooded park perfect for exploration.
Recreation Center
Youth sports programs, fitness activities, and community events throughout the year.
Radford University Events
Many campus events are open to the public — concerts, lectures, athletic games, and seasonal festivals.
District Statistics & Rankings
Radford City Public Schools performance data
All Schools Fully Accredited (2025–2026)
Source: Virginia Department of Education School Quality Profiles
Rankings & Recognition
District Overall
#14 out of 135 VA school districts (top 20% statewide for math, reading, and science proficiency)
Graduation Rate
95% — top 5% in Virginia (state average: 89%)
Radford High School
#170 in Virginia, #3 in the Blacksburg metro area (U.S. News 2025–2026)
Teacher Quality
98.3% of teachers are fully licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia
SOL Test Performance (Standards of Learning)
Elementary
Reading: 77% · Math: 65%
Middle School
Reading: 77% · Math: 65%
High School
Reading: 92% · Math: 68%
Student Demographics
25.7% of students are economically disadvantaged · 55% female, 45% male
Sources: Virginia DOE School Quality Profiles, U.S. News Education, Public School Review. Data reflects most recent available figures.