D.C. Virgo Begins Sixth Year as UNCW School

In August, campus and community volunteers joined teachers and staff at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy to welcome students and families back to school as the new academic year got underway. D.C. Virgo was opened by UNCW in 2018, as part of the UNC System Lab School Initiative which pairs Colleges of Education with local schools to enhance student learning and provide high-quality teacher and principal training. D.C. Virgo currently serves 200 K-8 students in downtown Wilmington.

Since the school’s inception, Principal Sabrina Hill-Black and Virgo teachers, in partnership with UNCW, have created a student-centered learning environment at D.C. Virgo. The school takes a whole-child, whole-school, whole-community approach that engages students’ families and creates valuable learning opportunities for future educators as well as Virgo students. 

Recent activities offered in partnership with UNCW and the community include:

Virgo eighth graders were invited to join more than 2,500 first-year and transfer students at UNCW’s fall convocation on Aug. 21. “Our students enjoyed being part of UNCW’s official welcoming event,” said Jodi Hebert, Virgo Operations Coordinator and UNCW Liaison. “We are grateful for opportunities like this that help our students to see themselves on a university campus.”

Kindergarten students and their elementary helpers enjoyed gardening in Virgo’s on-campus learning gardens. Virgo, which earned the distinction of Green Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education in 2021, has woven health, wellness, and sustainability education throughout the curriculum. The school partners with UNCW’s Sustainability program, WCE doctoral student Sohail Sukera and others in the community to inspire students to learn about environmental stewardship through participation in a variety of hands-on experiences.

Friday Enrichments, always a student favorite,  are continuing at D.C. Virgo this semester. Several community organizations, UNCW partners and DCVPA teachers are leading enrichment sessions that allow students to explore a wide range of interests including STEM, sports, art, step dance, advanced math and much more!

For more information on D.C. Virgo visit the website.