Winchester schools news
Winchester schools news, newest first: Winchester City Public Schools decisions, attendance zones, the school calendar and board of education votes.
Top story
DeShon Foxx to return as Shenandoah athletics director
DeShon Foxx, who left Shenandoah University in August, returns as its athletics director by Dec. 14. He takes over from interim director Bill Stewart.
School guides
Winchester Public Schools
Winchester schools guide: schools, calendars and ratings
Winchester Public Schools runs seven schools, all fully accredited; John Handley High is rated Distinguished. Register at 598 N. Kent St.; 540-667-4253.
Neighborhoods
Winchester neighborhoods: where to live and what each area is like
Winchester's plan divides the city into 10 planning areas, all in ZIP 22601. Zillow's typical 22601 value was $349,952 in September 2026.
Neighborhoods
Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Central Winchester, south of Gerrard Street, is all in the Quarles Elementary zone and ZIP 22601, about 1.1 miles by road from I-81 Exit 313.
Neighborhoods
East Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
East Central Winchester holds 168-acre Jim Barnett Park and Shenandoah University and is 0.8 miles by road from I-81 Exit 313, all in ZIP 22601.
Neighborhoods
North Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
North Winchester lies north of Wyck Street along U.S. 11, all in ZIP 22601 and the Virginia Avenue Elementary zone, about 2 miles from I-81 Exit 317.
Neighborhoods
Northeast Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Northeast Winchester has five city parks, Virginia Avenue Elementary and the Daniel Morgan schools, and sits 0.8 miles by road from I-81 Exit 315.
Neighborhoods
Northwest Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Northwest Winchester, north of Amherst Street, holds Winchester Medical Center and Whittier Park; 90% of addresses are zoned for John Kerr Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Old Town, Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Old Town/North Central is the city's historic core, all in ZIP 22601, zoned for John Kerr or Virginia Avenue elementary and Handley High.
Neighborhoods
South Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
South Central Winchester, east of Valley Avenue, holds Frederick Douglass Elementary; 71% of addresses are zoned for Quarles Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Southeast Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Southeast Winchester holds Apple Blossom Mall and the South Pleasant Valley Road stores; most homes are zoned for Frederick Douglass Elementary.
Neighborhoods
Southwest Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
Southwest Winchester, west of Valley Avenue, has three city parks; 57% of addresses are zoned for Quarles Elementary and 43% for Frederick Douglass.
Neighborhoods
West Central Winchester: homes, schools, parks and commute
West Central Winchester holds Handley High, John Kerr Elementary, Glen Burnie and the Abrams Creek Wetlands Preserve, all in ZIP 22601.
Winchester Public Schools
Winchester public schools: every school, zone and report card
All seven Winchester Public Schools schools: address, grades, fall 2025 enrollment and state framework score, with zone links. Central Office: 540-667-4253.
Latest stories
Nonprofits
Shenandoah Leadership Scholars to mentor Winchester-area teens
A new two- to three-year program will mentor eighth to 10th graders from Winchester and four nearby counties. Shenandoah University students will be the mentors, and the university will help with college and FAFSA forms.
Elections
Winchester voters approve 1% sales tax for schools
Winchester voters approved a 1% sales tax for school construction, 56% to 44%, with every ballot counted. Frederick County voted it down, 56% to 44%.
Elections
Winchester election: McDonald unseats Windle in Ward 2
Jenny McDonald beat council Vice President Emily Rose Windle by 71 votes in Ward 2. Miles Davis and Nate Prezzy won open seats, and Kim Herbstritt was reelected.