CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County high schools will begin screening students and staff for weapons this week.

The county’s new program, announced in July, starts Wednesday at Monticello High School. Screenings will start Thursday at Western Albemarle and Friday at Albemarle, division spokesperson Jennifer Butler confirmed to Cville Right Now.

The county is using CEIA OPENGATE systems, designed to be non-invasive and allow people to move quickly through while increasing security.

According to an informational video posted by Fairfax County Public Schools about the system, students don’t have to remove most items from their backpacks before walking between the two scanning towers.

Three ring binders, laptops, collapsable umbrellas, metal lunch boxes and metal pencil or glasses cases, do need to be removed. 

“Unlike traditional metal detectors, students and staff can walk through without stopping or removing personal items unless additional screening is needed,” Albemarle County’s July announcement said.

The county said students would receive orientation before the program began.

“We know this may be a new experience for students,” the county’s July announcement said. “That’s why staff will take time to introduce the screening process in a calm and respectful way.”

Albemarle County High School will have the systems operating at the building’s main entrance as well as bus loop doors, according to an email from principal Damean Barfield obtained by Cville Right Now. The email says everyone entering the building will be screened.

The county ran a pilot program for the system at high school football and basketball games in the fall and winter of 2024.

“The division has determined that it is prudent, necessary, and appropriate to employ the use of weapons screening systems in the secondary schools, specifically high schools, to proactively enhance the public safety and security measures during the school day,” according to the ACPS website.

All three county high schools also have student resource officers, county police officers specially trained to work in schools, assigned to them this year. Charlottesville city schools plan to add SROs starting in the fall of 2026.