State Operated Programs is a division within the Virginia Department of Education that has been given the responsibility to educate children in state-supported juvenile detention centers, mental health facilities and children’s hospitals in Virginia. We operate over 30 individual education centers across the state of Virginia and employ over 300 staff and certified educators. In one school year, we see more than 8,000 students come in and out of our state facilities. Our students range from preschool to high school level schooling and have a variety of backgrounds from various parts of Virginia. Our unique situation brings multiple grade levels into a single classroom which becomes a challenge for our core content teachers. Yet, our dedicated educators and leadership rise to the occasion and strive to give the best education possible to the students that enter our facilities.
State Operated Programs
Mr. John Whalen
Principal, Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center
9300 Merrimac Trail
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 887-0225