Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy

Project Title: Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy

Program Lead: Newport News City Public Schools

Program Focus: The program at the Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy focuses on pathways in three Career Clusters: Architecture and Construction, Information Technology and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and will offer a program of study designed to expand options for students to acquire skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The program combines academic coursework and research experience with a challenging and focused school environment to prepare students for 21st century careers.

Partners: Newport News Public Schools, Christopher Newport University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University and Thomas Nelson Community College

Board Of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application

Executive Summary

Partnership Members: Newport News Public Schools, Christopher Newport University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Thomas Nelson Community College, Canon Virginia, Inc., Newport News Education Foundation, Newport News Shipbuilding, Peninsula Council for Workforce Development, Riverside School of Health Careers, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.

Lead Entity and Fiscal Agent: Newport News City Public Schools

Contact Person:
Mrs. Toinette Outland
Program Administrator
Heritage High School
5800 Marshall Avenue
Newport News, VA 23605
Phone: 757-928-6100 ext. 17567
E-mail: toinette.outland@nn.k12.va.us

Academy Location: Heritage High School

Number of Students Served: The Governor’s STEM Academy will have the capacity to enroll 400 students, grades 9-12. During the initial school year (2013-2014) 150 students will be admitted.

Career Pathways: Design and Pre-Construction, Engineering and Technology, Programming and Software Development, Web and Digital Communications, Network Systems, and Information Support Services

Academy Goal: The goal of the Heritage High School Governor’s STEM Academy is to promote student achievement and interest in STEM career fields to prepare students for global competitiveness in high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand STEM careers.

The following performance measures have been established by the planning committee:

Increase the number of students who earn a grade of B or better in advanced mathematics courses beyond Algebra II by 3 percent over the next four years
Increase the number of Academy students meeting the requirements of the Advanced Studies Diploma by 10 percent over the next four years
Increase the number of students earning industry certifications by 10 percent over the next four years
Increase the number of postsecondary credits earned through dual enrollment, advanced placement courses, and the Early College program by 5 percent over the next four years
Ensure that 100 percent of students participate in work-based learning experiences, through strong partnerships with businesses and organizations
Increase our school’s high school graduation rate by 3 percent over the next four years
Reduce our school’s high school dropout rate by 2 percent over the next four years
Increase enrollment and retention in postsecondary education by 5 percent over the next four years by giving students the opportunity to earn dual enrollment credit. After graduation from high school, academy graduates will complete Career and Technical Education Follow-Up surveys to determine successful enrollment and retention in postsecondary institutions. Graduates will have the opportunity to network on the Heritage High School’s Governor’s STEM Academy’s social media site. This will allow the school to keep in contact with students and updated with their current postsecondary placements
Increase the proportion of students completing a college and career curriculum in high school by increasing enrollment and completion rates annually by 5 percent in specified career pathway academy courses
Reduce the proportion of students requiring remediation in college by 5 percent by carefully monitoring student achievement and providing academic support when necessary. Success will be measured by the number of students who meet the basic college entrance criteria as determined by the Virginia Community College System. An Academic Learning and Tutoring Center will be available for current academy student and academy graduates
Increase the number of academy graduates employed in high-wage, high-demand, and high-skill careers as identified by the Virginia Employment Commission over the next six years after high school. Approximately sixty percent of Academy graduates will obtain employment within identified career pathways and related occupations following postsecondary education.

Highlights of the Academy: As a result of participating in the Governor’s STEM Academy in the pathways of Design and Pre-construction, Engineering and Technology, Programming and Software Development, Web and Digital Communications, Network Systems, and Information Support Services, students will:

Gain a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge incorporated in their fields of study;
Benefit from specialized, project-based courses which develop critical-thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, preparing them for the 21st-century world;
Acquire greater communication skills;
Develop workplace readiness skills;
Receive opportunities to earn industry certifications preparing them to be more competitive in the work force and when applying to advanced training schools or postsecondary institutions;
Obtain meaningful, real-life, hands-on experiences in their career pathway; and
Profit from opportunities for internships, mentorships, job shadowing, and cooperative education, which provide students with advantages when entering postsecondary education and/or the workplace.

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