CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY

Program Focus: The program will provide a program of studies that allows students to explore a wide range of health science-related fields, while building an understanding of the core skills necessary to enhance students’ ability to find success in higher education and the 21st century workplace. The rigorous academic curriculum is centered around hands-on classroom and lab experiences to better prepare students for the rapidly changing, technologically enhanced health science field.

Board of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application (PDF)

Executive Summary

Partnership Members:

Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chippenham-Johnston Willis Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, John Tyler Community College, Virginia Tech, ECPI, Bon Secours Sports Medicine, Sheltering Arms Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, Memorial Regional and Richmond Community Hospital, Central Virginia Health Planning Agency, Brandermill Woods Retirement Facility, West End Orthopedic, Medical College of Virginia and Wauford Group.

Academy Goals and Description:

The overall goals of the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy are to provide expanded options for students’ health science literacy and other critical knowledge, skills, and credentials that will prepare them for high-demand, high-wage, and high-skills health sciences careers in Virginia.

Specific Governor’s Health Sciences Academy objectives include:

• Improve academic achievement of students in the Academy;

• Increase completion of dual enrollment courses;

• Provide work-based experiences for students through strong partnerships with businesses and health care institutions;

• Increase high school graduation rates;

• Reduce dropout rates; and

• Increase enrollment and retention in post secondary education.

Program Highlights:

As a result of participating in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy, students will:

• • Gain a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge incorporated in their health sciences 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 and collaborative 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 post secondary institutions;

  • Obtain meaningful hands-on experiences in their career pathway studies; and

  • Benefit from opportunities for internships, mentorships, clinical, and cooperative experiences, providing the student with an advantage when entering post secondary education and/or the workplace.

All information above is from the Virginia Department of Education website