Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced that Dr. Randi Smith, the principal of Ettrick Elementary, is a finalist for the national Constantino Family Engagement Practitioner Award. Online voting for the award remains open until January 30, 2026.
According to a news release by CCPS, Dr. Smith was named a finalist in recognition of her efforts to strengthen partnerships among families, schools, and the community. Since assuming leadership in 2015, she has guided the fully accredited Title I school to overcome challenges and achieve recognition as a National ESEA Distinguished School for closing achievement gaps.
Among her recent initiatives, Smith established a family hub offering services such as a food pantry, hair salon, and laundry facilities to support students and families. She also launched a pilot program providing adult education for kindergarten parents aimed at improving economic stability and civic engagement. This initiative was funded by a $30,000 Google grant in partnership with the Chesterfield Education Foundation. The award winner will be announced in early 2026 and will receive a $10,000 prize along with additional recognition.
Ettrick Elementary is located in southern Chesterfield County’s Matoaca District and has been educating children since the 1920s. The school recently opened a new 95,990-square-foot building on its 14.5-acre campus on August 23, 2021. The construction was completed under budget at $33.76 million as part of the 2013 school bond referendum. Serving approximately 550 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade from rural and suburban communities, the school benefits from resources provided by nearby Virginia State University.
CCPS serves over 64,000 students across 67 schools with an annual budget of $1 billion and full accreditation. The district reports a 91% on-time graduation rate with approximately 4,700 graduates each year who collectively earn millions in scholarship awards. It includes seven National Blue Ribbon Schools and eight National ESEA Distinguished Schools among other accolades. Governed by a five-member School Board, CCPS follows its strategic plan “Imagine Beyond Tomorrow” to promote lifelong learning and prepare college- and career-ready graduates.
