HCS is named to the Virginia Living Magazine’s Top Schools and Universities 2026 list

Hampton City Schools is excited to announce that for the eighth consecutive year, the division has been named to the Virginia Living Top Schools and Universities list. 

In the present year, Virginia Living magazine recognized Hampton City Schools for expanding its Academies of Hampton initiative with the launch of Master Plan 2.0, a five-year road map aimed at closing opportunity gaps and increasing hands-on learning for elementary and middle school students. The plan introduces signature learning experiences that help students explore interests, link classroom lessons to real-world careers, and prepare for future Academy pathways.

Virginia Living State of Education, a special bound-in supplement to Virginia Living’s April 2026 issue, celebrates excellence and innovation in Virginia’s schools. 

Featuring in-depth and positive coverage of news and trends in secondary and higher education, Virginia Living State of Education includes Top Schools & Universities 2026, a list of more than 150 programs in public and private schools and four and two-year colleges leading the way in innovation across the state. The magazine’s editors carefully and thoroughly review each school’s programs and accomplishments to find inspiring cutting-edge research, capital improvements, innovative teaching models, and a commitment to student wellness. Virginia Living’s Top Schools & Universities 2026 is the resource for anyone interested in knowing why Virginia’s schools are consistently ranked among the country’s best.