Princess Anne High School

Princess Anne High School
Name	Princess Anne High School
Established	1954
Type	Public secondary school
District	Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Colors	Navy and gold
Mascot	Princess Anne High Monarch
City	Virginia Beach
State	Virginia
Country	United States

Princess Anne High School

Princess Anne High School is a public secondary institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, serving grades 9–12 within Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The school participates in Virginia high school athletics, regional academic competitions, and community partnerships with Hampton Roads organizations, civic groups, and cultural institutions. It has produced alumni who have become notable in fields such as sports, arts, politics, and the armed forces, contributing to both local and national arenas.

History

Princess Anne High School opened in the mid-20th century amid postwar growth in Virginia Beach, Virginia, reflecting demographic changes after World War II and the expansion of Interstate 64 and U.S. Route 58. The school’s development paralleled municipal projects by the City of Virginia Beach and educational reforms enacted by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Board of Education. Over decades, the school has undergone renovations tied to bond referendums and capital improvement plans influenced by leaders from the Virginia General Assembly and local school board members. Its alumni base includes veterans of conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), reflecting broader national service trends tracked by the United States Department of Defense.

Campus

The campus sits near major corridors in Virginia Beach, adjacent to neighborhoods shaped by developers active during the postwar era and subsequent suburban expansions led by regional planning authorities. Facilities include classrooms, a library media center, science laboratories equipped for standards set by the National Science Teachers Association and the American Chemical Society, a performing arts auditorium used for productions connected to the Virginia Arts Festival, and athletic fields maintained in coordination with the Virginia High School League. Accessibility upgrades have aligned with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and local building codes overseen by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for older facilities.

Academics

Course offerings follow graduation requirements promulgated by the Virginia Department of Education and incorporate Advanced Placement curricula from the College Board. Specialized programs have linked students to regional institutions such as Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University through dual-enrollment and articulation agreements. Career and Technical Education pathways connect to standards from organizations like the National Career Clusters Framework and partnerships with employers in the Hampton Roads maritime and defense sectors, including collaborations with installations associated with the United States Navy and contractors tied to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Students compete in academic competitions affiliated with groups such as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the Scholastic Bowl circuit, and statewide science fairs sponsored by the Virginia Academy of Science.

Student life

Extracurricular offerings include clubs modeled after national organizations like Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club International, National Honor Society, and performance ensembles that participate in events curated by the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. Student government interacts with Virginia Beach City Council initiatives and civic projects involving local nonprofits and chapters of service organizations such as the American Red Cross and United Way of South Hampton Roads. Cultural programming has included guest appearances from artists represented by institutions like the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and workshops coordinated with the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Student publications and journalism groups have followed ethical guidelines from the Society of Professional Journalists and competed in contests administered by the Quill and Scroll society.

Athletics

Athletic teams compete in the Virginia High School League and have faced rival schools within the Southeastern District and regional conferences. Programs span football, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, track and field, swimming, wrestling, and lacrosse, with student-athletes receiving guidance on NCAA eligibility from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Facilities upgrades have been supported by booster organizations and municipal grants tied to parks and recreation initiatives overseen by the City of Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation. The school has produced state championship contenders and participants in regional tournaments administered by the Virginia High School League and national showcases organized by scouting services.

Notable alumni

Notable alumni have achieved recognition in professional sports leagues such as the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, in entertainment industries represented by agencies in Los Angeles and New York City, and in public service roles within the United States Congress and state government. Graduates have included military officers who served with commands under the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps, artists exhibited by institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, and business leaders affiliated with corporations headquartered in the Hampton Roads region. Several alumni have earned awards from national organizations including the Pulitzer Prize, the MacArthur Fellows Program, and athletic honors from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Category:High schools in Virginia Category:Schools in Virginia Beach, Virginia