Loudoun Governor's Career & Technical Academy
Project Lead: Loudoun County Public Schools
Program Focus: This program offers students five career pathways in the areas of agriculture, health care, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and transportation, distribution and logistics.
Academy Website: Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Loudoun
Application: Board of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application (PDF)
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Executive Summary
Partnership Members: Loudoun County Public Schools; Academies of Loudoun; Northern Virginia Community College; Shenandoah University; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; George Washington University; REHAU; Fortessa, Inc.; Lockheed Martin; Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority; America Online, LLC; Loudoun County Economic Development; The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation; TELOS/Xacta Corporation; Hayes-Large Architects; Jerry's Automotive Group; and The Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce
Lead Entity: Loudoun County Public Schools
Fiscal Agent: Loudoun County Public Schools
Contact Person:
Dr. Lhe S. Smith, Supervisor
Career and Technical Education
Loudoun County Public Schools
Phone: 571-252-1070
Email: lhe.smith@lcps.org
Academy Location:
The Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy
715 Childrens Center Road, SW
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Number of Students Served: Two hundred six high school students are enrolled in the Academy for the 2016-2017 school year. Future plans are in place to expand and grow Academy programs.
Career Pathways: Plant Systems, Diagnostics Services, Therapeutic Services, Engineering and Technology, Facility and Mobile Equipment Management
Academy Goals and Description: The Academies of Loudoun will provide rigorous academic content within its career and technical instruction, concentrating on five career pathways. Academic integration and STEM curriculum expansion will enhance student learning through curriculum enhancements and targeted staff development with concentrations on integrative applications of mathematics and science. A cluster resource teacher will also be identified to assist with curriculum enhancement and monitoring. Each of these tools will be used to connect and integrate academic content areas. Additionally, a partnership with the Loudoun Academy of Science program will enhance the academic rigor and create opportunities for future STEM education initiatives.
Graduates of The Academies of Loudoun will complete a college and work readiness curriculum meeting the commonwealth Scholars course of study. High school diploma completion will include up to nine career and technical course credits that can be earned, including corresponding industry credentials. Opportunities will be available within Academy programs for students to earn at least nine dual enrollment college credits. Academy programs will utilize Virginia's Workplace Readiness competencies. Advisory committee members will work with Academy students by offering seminars addressing topics such as life skills, background checks, or professional ethics and behaviors.
Highlights of the Academy:
- Dual enrollment opportunities will be available through Northern Virginia Community College. Future dual enrollment opportunities will be made available to students.
- Academy students will receive enhanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction via the staff development opportunities, curriculum enhancement, and partnerships with the Loudoun Academy of Science, as well as advisory and planning committee member participation.
- The Health Science cluster pathways contain three innovative pathway programs. The Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology Technology, and Pharmacy Technology pathway programs have been created through the support and partnership of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and the Inova Healthcare System.
- The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Plant Systems pathway is aligned with the global movement to develop more green technologies and practices to conserve and protect earth's natural resources.
- The Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance pathway will provide direct instruction in the development and maintenance of alternative fuels and hybrid vehicles.
- The Engineering and Technology pathway offers a digital visualization and animation program. This program prepares students to enter the evolving career fields of animation, gaming and software development, prototyping, and rendering.