Family Life Education

Program Overview
In response to the requirements of Section 22.1-207 of the Code of Virginia, Culpeper County Public Schools has implemented a comprehensive, sequential, abstinence-based, age-appropriate Family Life Education curriculum grades K – 10. All Family Life materials will follow the Virginia Standards of Learning Objectives established by the Virginia Department of Education.   The regulations require local school districts to include the following ten topics in their Family Life Education programs:

  • Family living and community relationships;

  • The value of family relationships;

  • The value of postponing sexual activity;

  • Abstinence education;

  • The benefits, challenges, responsibilities, and the value of marriage for men, women, children, and communities;

  • Human sexuality;

  • Human reproduction;

  • The benefits of adoption as a positive choice in the event of an unintended pregnancy;

  • The etiology, prevention, and effects of sexually transmitted diseases;

  • The prevention of human trafficking;

  • Dating violence, which shall include a focus on informing high school students that consent is required before a sexual act, the characteristics of abusive relationships, steps to take to deter a sexual assault, the availability of counseling and legal resources, and, in the event of sexual assault, the importance of receiving immediate medical attention and advice, as well as the requirements of the law; and

  • Mental health education and awareness.

In order to provide parents with alternatives, the Virginia state regulations require that an opt-out provision be included for parents to remove their child(ren) from any lesson or all lessons at a particular grade level and that alternative, non-FLE lessons be available to students removed from FLE lessons.  In addition, Culpeper County Public Schools established an advisory committee under the with broad community representation to review and make recommendations regarding the Family Life Education content.  Please consult the Culpeper County Code of Conduct for further information on the opt-out policy and procedures.

Elementary School
The elementary FLE program is taught by the school guidance counselors and regular classroom teachers.  Outside presentations, such as the production titled "Hugs and Kisses," is provided by the Virginia Repertory Theatre and is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Social Services.  The early elementary program emphasizes the importance of families, the distinction between good and bad touches, the recognition and avoidance of poisons, the identification of common emergencies and sources of help, and the importance of friendships and healthy relationships.

Elementary Family Life Guide - Elementary Family Life Guide

Elementary opt-out documents - CCPS Elementary Opt-Out ENGLISH; CCPS Elementary Opt-Out SPANISH

Culpeper County Public Schools - Standards of Learning Reassignment

  • Standards moved to 3rd Grade - 1.6 (to correspond with Science SOL 3.4)

  • Standards moved to 6th Grade - 1.7, 2.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, 5.13, 5.14

Middle School
The FLE program for students in grades six through eight is taught by health and physical education teachers in gender separate classes.  Human sexuality is first introduced in grade six.  In the human growth and development unit, students learn about the male and female reproductive systems.  Students learn the maturational process, prenatal development, and the changes which occur during puberty.  Students study the effects of peer pressures, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and begin to examine the influence of media on behavior and attitudes.  Students will learn about the development of sexuality as an aspect of total personality as well as the physical, psychological, and social changes that occur during adolescence. Students are also taught that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only way to guarantee the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  Students will learn about behaviors that put them at risk for substance use and abuse as well as sexually transmitted diseases. 

Middle School Family Life Guide - under construction (please refer to current CCPS Curriculum Guide)

Secondary opt-out documents - CCPS Secondary Opt-Out ENGLISH; CCPS Secondary Opt-Out Form SPANISH

High School
During ninth and tenth grade health and physical education classes, students continue building on their base of knowledge, regarding substance abuse, sexually transmitted disease prevention, and the skills needed to make health decisions.  Students will study human reproduction in greater depth, including the influence of alcohol and other drugs on fetal development.  They will learn how maturation affects adolescent development and learn to recognize the development of sexuality as a lifelong aspect of personality.  Students are taught that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only way to guarantee the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  The issue of date abuse and violence is introduced and students are taught how to avoid dangerous situations and how to get help when it is needed.

High School Family Life Guide - under construction (please refer to current CCPS Curriculum Guide)

Secondary opt-out documents - CCPS Secondary Opt-Out ENGLISH; CCPS Secondary Opt-Out Form SPANISH

Other Important Links
Family Life Committee (Division)
Virginia Department of Education Standards for Family Life