Welcome to our Petition Form to keep the Kingspoint neighborhood zoned for Matthew Whaley Elementary School. This petition is a powerful tool for residents to come together and address issues, advocate for change, and strengthen our community.

Kingspoint has maintained a long-standing partnership with the Matthew Whaley school community through sustained PTA leadership, volunteerism, fundraising, and student support initiatives. Over the past decade, neighborhood residents have consistently served in executive PTA leadership roles (between 30-80 percent of board seats) and helped support programs benefiting every student, including free school supplies, field trips, community engagement nights, teacher support initiatives, and student assistance programs.

WJCC School district stated the second guiding principle for the rezoning process is “demographics.” It is notable that this is the only guiding principle that is not mentioned in the materials put forward by the commission. It is a glaring omission because these maps would increase economic and racial segregation in the division.

At the elementary level, the new maps would concentrate economically disadvantaged students at three schools: James River, Matthew Whaley, and DJ Montague. Other schools—notably Matoaka and Stonehouse—would have wealthier student bodies to account for this change. Per Fall 2025 Membership data from the Virginia Department of Education, James River and Matthew Whaley already have the highest proportion of economically disadvantaged students at 23.4 and 11.6 percentage points higher than the division overall, respectively. Matoaka and Stonehouse already have the fewest economically disadvantaged students with approximately 8 percentage points fewer than the division overall. In other words, these changes would create even more noticeable economic stratification in WJCC elementary schools.

In addition to economic stratification, these maps would create deeper racial segregation in the school division. The schools that would become high-poverty schools are also those with fewer White students. While the division overall has 51.4% non-Hispanic White students, James River currently has only 22.2% and Matthew Whaley has 43.6% non-Hispanic White students. By contrast, Matoaka has 62.3% non-Hispanic White students under the current maps and Stonehouse has 59.5% non-Hispanic White students. While the proposal did not share expected racial demography of the new maps, the expectation based on knowledge of neighborhood demography is that the Whitest, wealthiest schools would become more so, while the poorest least White schools would become less so still.

Research points to the potential negative effects of the proposed new maps for all WJCC students. Poor students who attend school with wealthier children are more likely to escape poverty. Students who attend diverse schools develop better critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills and are less likely to drop out. Diverse schools lead to more contact across social groups, reduce prejudice and stereotypes, and equip students for success in a multiracial society. Importantly, the research shows the benefits of racially and economically integrated schools are manifold and accrue to all students.

By participating in this petition, you're joining your neighbors in voicing your concerns and advocating for solutions that benefit the Matthew Whaley community. Your involvement is essential in shaping the future of our community. We will be sharing the results of the petition with the school board and in the survey.

Let's unite in solidarity and work towards common goals that enhance the quality of life for all students. Your participation in this community petition is a testament to your commitment to building a stronger, more resilient, inclusive, and equitable community. Join us in making a difference and shaping the future of our community together.