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Virginia Department of Education

Information on this page is provided by the Office of Career & Technical Education
and the
Division of Special Education and Student Services.

Staff Contacts - Office of Career & Technical Education

Staff Contacts - Division of Special Education and Student Services

Established STEM Academies

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.

Partners: Loudoun County Public Schools; Monroe Technology Center; 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

Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Loudoun website

Board Of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application

Executive Summary

Partnership Members: Loudoun County Public Schools; Monroe Technology Center; 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

Lead Entity: Loudoun County Public Schools

Fiscal Agent: Loudoun County Public Schools

Contact Person:
Ms. Shirley L. Bazdar, Director
Career and Technical Education
Loudoun County Public Schools
Phone: 571-252-1070
E-mail: shirley.bazdar@loudoun.k12.va.us

Academy Location:
The Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy
715 Childrens Center Road, SW
Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Number of Students Served: One hundred twenty-five high school students will have the opportunity to enroll in the Academy for the 2008-2009 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 Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy 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. Academic content integration will be facilitated by enrollment in the STEM certificate/degree program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for identified faculty. 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 Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy 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 and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Future dual enrollment opportunities will be made available through the George Washington University and Shenandoah University.
• 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 two new and innovative pathway programs. Curriculum is currently being developed at the CTE Resource Center for these two pathways. The Medical Laboratory Technology and Radiology 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.

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