Hampton City Schools named a Forbes Best-In-State Employer for second consecutive year

 

Hampton City Schools (HCS) is proud to announce that, for the second consecutive year, it has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers. The 2026 recognition, presented in partnership with Statista, a global leader in data and industry analysis, was announced on August 13, 2026.

 

HCS is one of only six public school divisions in Virginia to earn a place on the 2026 list. Being recognized in both 2025 and 2026 reflects the division’s continued commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.

 

The school division takes a comprehensive approach to supporting its employees, from competitive compensation and benefits to resources designed to promote health, wellness, and work-life balance. Employees have convenient access to healthcare services through the division’s Employee Health & Wellness Center and Employee Pharmacy. For teachers, HCS-developed curriculum resources provide ready-to-use daily lessons and assessments created by educators who understand the classroom.

 

That support continues throughout an employee’s career. HCS invests in professional growth through a five-year induction program that provides mentoring and support for educators as they develop their practice, as well as leadership development pathways and ongoing learning opportunities. The division’s focus on social emotional learning (SEL) for both students and staff also helps foster school and workplace environments where relationships, well-being, and a strong sense of community are valued.

 

“Being named a Forbes Best-In-State Employer for a second consecutive year speaks to the culture we are building together in Hampton City Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Raymond L. Haynes. “We want HCS to be a place where talented people choose to come, choose to stay, and have opportunities to grow. That requires us to listen to our employees, invest in their success, and continually look for ways to strengthen their experience. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the voices of employees, and it challenges us to keep raising the bar for what it means to be a great place to work.”

 

Forbes and Statista selected America’s Best-In-State Employers 2026 based on an independent survey of more than 245,000 employees who work for a company of at least 500 people within the United States. Survey respondents, from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale of zero to 10 and were asked to assess their workplace based on criteria including wages and benefits, management style, company reputation, flexibility, and career advancement opportunities.

 

Earning this recognition for the second consecutive year reflects Hampton City Schools’ continued focus on creating an outstanding workplace and its belief that attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional employees is fundamental to delivering an exceptional educational experience for every student.