Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) has announced that 17 of its schools have been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League for their participation in the No Place for Hate program during the 2024–25 school year. These schools join a total of 194 institutions in the Washington, D.C. area committed to fostering inclusive and respectful environments.
According to LCPS, the participating schools include Belmont Ridge Middle, Dominion High, Heritage High, and Woodgrove High. The No Place for Hate program encourages students and staff to pledge their commitment to creating welcoming school environments. Schools involved in the program carry out projects that underscore their dedication to diversity and community, using the program’s framework as a guide for activities and initiatives.
Examples of these initiatives include Lowes Island Elementary’s “Together We Soar” mural project, where students and staff decorated paper butterflies to create a display symbolizing kindness and inclusion. Discovery Elementary established a CARE Team composed of 4th- and 5th-grade students who mentor younger peers, read picture books, and utilize No Place for Hate resources to promote empathy and respect. These efforts involve students, staff, and families in building school communities that aim to reduce bias and support positive learning environments.
Superintendent Aaron Spence said: “Creating a school environment where every student feels seen, heard and valued is not just a goal, it’s a responsibility.” He emphasized that when students engage in shaping inclusive communities, they learn about empathy and respect. “These values create not only a better school but a better community,” Spence said. He expressed gratitude towards the students and staff contributing to more welcoming school environments.
LCPS is located in Ashburn, Virginia, providing comprehensive information on its operations such as calendars, school hours, parent resources, and administrative contacts. The district maintains detailed enrollment and achievement data through District and School Profiles which include demographics, graduation rates, Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates, standardized test scores, and federal accountability metrics. Virginia’s School Quality Profiles complement these reports by offering annual snapshots on student achievement among other metrics. LCPS is led by Superintendent Aaron Spence with governance provided by an elected School Board responsible for policy-making and strategic planning.
