BRVGS Core Online Courses meet BRVGS standards for project-based, skills-oriented learning, with an increased focus on independent learning. These courses all have some form of real-world, collaborative project, as well as other critical elements from the BRVGS Skills Curriculum. Student initiated communication with the instructors and/or the BRVGS staff is strongly encouraged during these courses.
Please note the following requirements:
All BRVGS students must take at least one of the Core Online Courses to graduate from BRVGS, preferably Junior year.
Students must have a specific block in their schedule for each BRVGS course.
Students who need additional courses may take them from the Core Online Course list below OR from the BRVGS Elective course page, provided BRVGS has enough funding and there is room in the class.
Students may not take more than one UVA course in a school year.
It is strongly recommended that students be in good academic standing to take a college course through BRVGS as grades earned through these courses will be permanent grades on their transcript for that institution.
Dual Enrollment (DE) Courses
Piedmont VA Community College- Finite Math - (VCCS MTH 165) FALL
(3 college credits)
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra II and 3.0 GPA or higher
The purpose of this Dual Enrollment college/high school course is to expose students to the use of mathematics as a tool for solving applied problems as well as for modeling mathematical relationships. Developing problem-solving and critical thinking abilities is also emphasized and applied. Students will be working with systems of equations, matrices, and linear programming. These structures will be applied to solving problems in economics, finance, business, and the life and social sciences. To successfully complete the course, students will complete a project demonstrating broad knowledge of course content and applying appropriate technology.
Shenandoah University - Humanity in Healthcare (HP 122) SPRING
(3 college credits)
This online course will display the relevance of the humanities and social sciences to understand the human experience of illness. It will give critical attention to literature, visual arts, film, theater, music or dance from multiple cultural perspectives in an attempt to develop students’ capacity for relating to patients on a human level. The course will also introduce students to historical and political analysis of health care to broaden students’ understanding of the context in which healthcare is delivered.
Shenandoah University -Introduction to International Relations (PSCI 204) SPRING
(3 college credits)
This course provides an introduction to politics and issues in the ever-changing international arena. Topics include theories of international relations, sovereignty, state actors vs. international actors, international law, treaties, organizations, and trade. Students will explore these topics through videos, readings, websites, and national and international policy statements. They will choose one topic to research in-depth. The course emphasizes research skills and critical analysis of real-world global issues. Students will be required to participate in a project centered on Model United Nations participation.
Shenandoah University - Introduction to Statistics (MATH 207) FALL
(3 college credits)
Prerequisite: Students must have successfully completed Algebra II with a grade of “B-” or higher.
This course presents an overview of statistics and how they are used in almost every academic discipline and everyday life, using examples from medicine, engineering, economics, business, government, and more. Topics include descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distribution, estimation, hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression. Students will learn and practice the skills of Statistics through online instruction and real-world, project-based problem solving.
University of Virginia - Explorations in Cyber Security (IT 1010) SPRING
(3 college credits)
This course is intended to attract, educate, and inspire a new generation of students in the evolving field of cyber security. It introduces students to the world of cyber security and the vast opportunity in cyber security careers. At the end of the course, students will have an understanding of the various types of cyber security professions and educational opportunities to help them when choosing a career path. They will also develop critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills that will benefit them in a variety of career paths.
University of Virginia - Explorations in Digital Technology and Communications (PSTS 1010) SPRING
(3 college credits)
Today’s students will spend their adult lives in a multi-tasking, multifaceted, technology-driven, diverse and vibrant world. This communications course will give students an online experience so that they are able to do so. This course will emphasis on analyzing, accessing, managing, integrating, evaluating, and creating information in a variety of forms and media so that students will understand the role of media in society. Communication skills will also be emphasized, so that students will understand, manage, and create effective oral, written, and multimedia communication in a variety of forms and contexts.
University of Virginia - Explorations in Engineering (ENGR 1520) FALL
(3 college credits)
Great engineering is sometimes referred to as ‘art that works’. This is because engineering, like art, requires innovation and creativity. But engineering creations, unlike art, must solve real problems and help our society meet new challenges. This introductory college engineering course introduces students to the world of engineering, including the role of engineers in modern society, an overview of the various fields of engineering, and modern methods used by engineers to solve problems and meet new challenges.
A key component of the course is a hands-on design-build project in which students work together in small teams to design and develop a solution to a case study problem. This activity will culminate in the demonstration of a prototype of the design solution. Students will explore the sources of inspiration, the methods engineers use to solve problems and the impact of engineering solutions.
University of Virginia - Explorations in Health Care (PSHM 1010) FALL
(3 college credits)
This course provides an introduction to health care and health care management literature; the structure and delivery systems of US healthcare; current challenges facing the system; and the scope of career opportunities in the healthcare field. Explores the educational requirements and job responsibilities of a wide range of health care providers.
Additional topics include health care economics, insurance, health care research, health care policy and reform, and the Affordable Care Act. Through the use of online discussions, literature search assignments, and relevant projects, the course promotes the application of critical thinking and library research skills.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
BRVGS AP Computer Science A YEARLONG
Prerequisite: Prior computer programing coursework
This is an advanced yearlong course, primarily focused on Java Programming. The course is offered through CodeHS, with a BRVGS teacher serving as the local instructor. Students will participate in team-based projects as part of their BRVGS requirements for the course. Those who score a 3 or better on the AP exam may receive up to 6 college credits (as determined by the college of attendance).
Please click here for more information from CodeHS about the course.
BRVGS AP Computer Science Principles YEARLONG
This is a yearlong course, primarily focused on the “central ideas of computing and computer science”, offered through CodeHS, with a BRVGS teacher serving as the local instructor. It is very similar to BRVGS Computer Science, but is focused on the AP exam for Computer Science Principles, and contains a number of different (and more rigorous) lessons than the non-AP course. Students will participate in team-based projects as part of their BRVGS requirements for the course. Those who score a 3 or better on the AP exam may receive up to 6 college credits (as determined by the college of attendance).
Please click here for more information from CodeHS about the course.
Click Here to see the Syllabus.
BRVGS AP Environmental Science YEARLONG
This course provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world. Students will identify and analyze natural and human-induced environmental problems, enabling them to learn how to assess the risks associated with these problems and evaluate alternative solutions for resolving and preventing the environment problems.
Other Core Courses
BRVGS Computer Science (CS) SPRING
The course, taught directly by a BRVGS instructor through an online learning management system, is primarily focused on the central ideas of computing and computer science, instilling the ideas and practices of computational thinking and inviting students to understand how computing changes the world.
This rigorous course promotes the ability to navigate in an online course, deep learning of computational content, computational thinking skills, and creativity in the context of programming. Students may or may not be in a classroom with fellow BRVGS junior classmates, depending on local scheduling and supervision. The course culminates in a team-based “design-and-build” project, in which teams of students identify a problem, solve that problem with a program of their own design, and market that program to the public.
BRVGS Mysteries and Misdeeds: Crime Fiction and True Stories FALL or SPRING
Along with exploring the characteristics of both crime fiction and true crime narratives and a variety of types of subgenres, students will have an opportunity to use their deductive skills to solve and write about unsolved cases. Units will include an introduction to Crime Fiction and True Crime, deductive and inductive reasoning, characteristics of notable subgenres of crime fiction, the study of a variety of writers and the history and impact of true crime journalism and literature. Students will work collaboratively to complete a project for this course.
BRVGS Science Fiction and Reality in the 21st Century FALL or SPRING
Students will cross-analyze classic science fiction short stories that predicted and parallel some of the present day technological advancements. In addition to short stories, students will read present-day articles that discuss the nuances of how these new technologies will affect humanity. For example, with the rise of AI and ChatGPT, there are a lot of intriguing short stories that deal with the dangers and positives of artificial intelligence (e.g. "I, Robot" by Asimov). This course would incorporate the STEM emphasis of BRVGS with real life situations and the power of fiction and literature. Students will complete a group project during the course where the group would have a variety of short stories to choose from that have not already been analyzed in the class. They will pick an innovative technology from one that doesn't yet fully exist, and create a proposal for how to safely and realistically implement a prototype in 2024, almost like a sales-pitch to a prospective venture capitalist.