Berryville, VA (March 27, 2025) — The Clarke County Education Foundation (CCEF) is excited to announce the creation of two new charitable funds designed to enrich student experiences and support educational excellence in Clarke County Public Schools (CCPS). Thanks to generous anonymous gifts totaling $85,000, these funds will provide sustainable support for both studio arts education and the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Clarke County High School.
Clarke County Studio Arts Fund
Established with a $25,000 anonymous gift, the Clarke County Studio Arts Fund will support the advancement and enrichment of studio arts programs—such as fine arts and photography—within the school division. The fund will provide up to $2,500 annually (or 10% of the fund’s balance, whichever is greater) to support classroom initiatives, enrichment trips, materials, equipment, and teacher development opportunities.
“This fund is a powerful testament to the value of creativity in education,” said Beth Williams, Executive Director of CCEF. “We are incredibly grateful to the donor for recognizing the importance of visual arts and for ensuring students have access to the tools they need to thrive.”
Studio arts teachers will be able to submit proposals to their school principals, who may then request funding support from the Foundation.
Clarke County IB Endowment Fund
With an initial $60,000 gift, the new Clarke County IB Endowment Fund will provide critical, ongoing financial support for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Clarke County High School. Designed for highly motivated juniors and seniors, the IB program offers a rigorous, globally recognized curriculum that encourages academic depth, intercultural understanding, and real-world application of knowledge.
Each year, up to $2,500 in earnings from the endowment will be made available to support a wide range of program needs, including:
• Substitute teacher coverage for IB teacher planning and collaboration days
• Registration and exam fee assistance for students facing financial hardship
• Professional development and curriculum materials
• Program events and outreach efforts
• Annual awards to recognize graduating IB seniors
Requests exceeding $2,500 may also be considered with Foundation and donor approval.
Clarke County High School’s IB program emphasizes six core academic subjects along with unique program components such as the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course, an extended research essay, and CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) projects, which foster personal growth and community involvement. The program prepares students for success in higher education and beyond, aligning with the school’s mission to cultivate well-rounded, globally minded graduates.
“These two funds reflect a deep commitment to educational excellence in Clarke County,” Williams added. “Through the generosity of these anonymous donors, our students and teachers will benefit for years to come—not only through financial support but through enhanced opportunities for learning, growth, and creativity.”
Learn More
To learn more about these new funds or how to make a lasting impact through the Clarke County Education Foundation, please visit www.ccefinc.org or contact director@ccefinc.org.