High School Specialty Programs
**UPDATES COMING FALL 2024
Colgan High School
Center for the Fine and Performing Arts - The goal of the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts is to encourage and develop creativity, self-expression, academic achievement, and critical thinking in young artists. Students are supported in their efforts to master a common core of learning that promotes a broader understanding of the arts. The student has the opportunity to study in one of several concentration areas including dance, instrumental music, vocal music, music technology, theater, creative writing and the visual arts. To participate students must complete an audition and/or present a portfolio.
Freedom High School
Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences - A rigorous four-year program of studies designed to include strong laboratory and field investigation components. An enriched and interdisciplinary curriculum helps students gain a greater understanding of the connection between scientific and other academic areas. The program emphasizes interactive science research and projects that make use of the on-site CENS lab, greenhouse, aquarium, diverse habitats, and wet pond.
Forest Park High School
Center For Information Technology - Offers opportunities for students to study a wide range of information technology programs covering three main areas: mathematics and computer science, graphics and multimedia, and hardware and networking. Programs leading to professional and general certification are offered. These certificate programs include computer graphics, multimedia, computer repair, computer programming and networking.
Gainesville High School
Pathways to Global Citizenship - The purpose of the Pathways to Global Citizenship program is to encourage students to identify and engage with topics of global significance while developing and refining skills in performance, research, critical thinking, evaluation and synthesis of ideas. As a result, the Pathways program provides thematically grouped plans across five academic houses.
Gar-Field High School
International Baccalaureate Program - A rigorous academic program authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Freshmen and sophomores enroll in advanced course sequence classes (Pre-IB Diploma Programme classes) taught band assessed using the IB Middle Years program (IBMYP) framework for instruction in all academic areas.
Hylton High School
Center for International Studies and Languages - Offers students the opportunity to follow a comprehensive program of study with a focus on global awareness. Participation in the full CISL program advances understanding of global issues respective to cultures and languages, information and communication, and social and political sciences. Additionally, field experiences such as student exchanges, Model United Nations, and travel support the curriculum.
Potomac High School
The Cambridge Program -Offers an international, pre-university curriculum and examination system that emphasizes the value of a broad and balanced study for academically able students. The external assessments by Cambridge International Examinations include written examinations, project work, and individual research. Students taking advanced level courses can qualify for an Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma.
Osbourn Park High School
The Center for Biotechnology and Engineering - The program offers students a challenging and enriched science curriculum with a strong emphasis on Biotechnology, medical sciences, and interrelationships among scientific disciplines.
The Pre-Governor's School @ Osbourn Park - A preparatory program with a student-centered learning environment that emphasizes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) acceleration. Students will engage in meaningful study designed to prepare them for their post-secondary endeavors. Students have an opportunity to develop technical writing capacity and meet several graduation requirements while preparing for success at the Governor's School @ Innovation Park should they gain entry during eleventh and twelfth grades.
Woodbridge High School
Advanced Placement Scholars - This program is aligned with the Advanced Placement Program from The College Board. The program will provide students with instruction in pre-college and college level courses. Courses will provide students with a collegial learning environment and rigorous academic focus with emphasis on content knowledge, critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills, as well as disciplined study habits. Students will be prepared for success on AP exams. Special activities such as college nights, informational forums and content related activities will be offered.
Career and Technical Education Programs
Non-Transfer Program (Available at Most High Schools)
Project Lead the Way - Engineering (Must attend this program at student's base high school): Emphasizes pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. Students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate and collaborate. The rigorous STEM sequence is geared towards preparing students for the college engineering program of their choice.
Brentsville District High School
Agriculture-Horticulture - A program which offers a hands-on curriculum where students develop the necessary knowledge, skills, habits, and attitudes for entry level employment and advancement in areas such as greenhouse and nursery production, and landscape design and turf management. Students also receive instruction in leadership development and are provided opportunities for leadership through FFA, the CTE student organization for Agriculture.
Freedom High School
Medical Coding and Billing - Students will be introduced to healthcare systems, how to manage an office, manage electronic medical records per coding and billing standards, gain knowledge of medical terminology used to describe human anatomy and physiology, and complete case studies in health informatics.
Pharmacy Technician - This certificate program is designed to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge to begin work as a pharmacy technician. The coursework will fulfill the requirements of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and prepare students to take the national examinations, Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) or Exam Certified Phlebotomy Technician (ExCPT).
Gar-Field High School
Plumbing - Students learn to safely assemble, install, and repair pipes and fittings, and are introduced to installing fixtures of heating, water, and drainage systems according to specifications and plumbing codes.
Law and Public Safety: Criminal Justice - The Law and Public Safety Program currently offers two 4 year pathways that conclude with the Capstone Course - IB Personal and Professional Skills. Criminal Justice and Military Science are the two pathways offered in the Law & Public Safety Program. Criminal Justice offers two transferable paths (Certificate and IB Career Program). The Military Science path is only available to students on transfer for the IB Program.
Environmental Engineering - Environmental Engineers jobs vary - they can assess the impact on air, water, soil and noise levels in the vicinity of engineering projects, plan and design equipment and processes for the treatment and safe disposal of waste material, and assess what may cause problems for the environment in the long-term. They can also use engineering principals to solve environmental problems.
Hylton High School
Television Production - This program prepares students to operate TV cameras, associated audio equipment, video switching and processing equipment, recorders, and editors. Throughout the program, students will use program proposals, scripts, and storyboards to produce and refine professional productions. Student leadership and independence are stressed throughout the program.
Automotive Technology - A National Automotive Technicians Education Foundations (NATEF) accredited program of study taught by ASE certified auto technicians. The program prepares graduates for Automotive Service Excellence exams. The mission of the Automotive Technology Program is to assist the student in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to be a successful entry level worker in the field of Automotive Technology and/or continue his/her education in a related occupational field.
Cabinetmaking - Student learn workshop and tool safety and employability skills as they practice reading blueprints; estimating and selecting materials; cutting and shaping stock; assembling, fastening, and installing components; and finishing surfaces. The technical, problem-solving, leadership and creative skills learned in cabinetmaking can be applied in industries well beyond construction trades and professions and can prepare the student for lifelong learning and success.
Potomac High School
Cyber Security - Students will explore both the theory and hands-on practices in the following areas: critical infrastructure security systems and devices; intelligent computing and controlling devices and systems security; business information technology network security systems and techniques; industrial/utility industrial control systems networks and devices security; medical network and data system security; and ethical hacking roles and tools.
Welding - Teaches students to use gases and/or welding processes and to braze and solder metal parts according to diagrams, blueprints, or written specifications.
Osbourn Park High School
Biomedical Science: Project Lead the Way - This four-course sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.
Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs, which include Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, are available at nine high schools. Students wishing to participate in one of these programs shall enroll in the JROTC program of the school for the attendance area in which they reside or in the program to which their school is assigned.
JROTC programs are designed to teach leadership, self-discipline, citizenship, and organizational skills. Basic instruction in leadership tenets, health and physical fitness, drill and ceremonies, and military organization are taught as a means to develop leadership qualities. JROTC students are frequently involved in the following activities: drill team, air rifle competitions, community service, color guard, academic team, mini-boot camp, and orienteering.
More detailed information available at :
LINK UPDATES COMING IN FALL 2024