ACA

The Advance College Academy (ACA) is a dual enrollment program, meaning students earn college credit and high school credit simultaneously. GHS partners with Reynolds Community College to teach these college-level classes on the GHS campus. ACA offers students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in social sciences while still in high school and at a significantly reduced cost compared to the general population. ACA classes are taught at GHS by GHS teachers who have earned their credentials from Reynolds Community College to teach adjunctly for the institution of higher education. ACA students should also expect to take at least one online college course. 

ACA is a four-year program beginning in grade 9, although students typically do not begin the college coursework until the summer following grade 10. During their freshman and sophomore years, students prepare for college courses by taking rigorous GHS courses at the honors level. Other activities are planned to assist with students’ preparation for Reynolds courses, as well as for future admission to a four-year institution. While credit transferability is at the discretion of the four-year institutions, an excellent record of four-year universities accepting most, if not all, of the ACA course credits exists. 

The application process for ACA begins in the fall of eighth grade for entry into the program in ninth grade. There is a brief “second chance” application window each fall for ninth and tenth grade students who missed the application period during their eighth grade year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the ACA application process during their eighth grade year. Students who do not attend Goochland County Public Schools must provide proof of residence in order for their application to be considered. 

Students’ applications must show evidence that they have strong potential for success in a program that includes honors courses throughout the first two years of high school and college-level courses thereafter. A high school GPA of 3.0 or higher is required before beginning college courses. The following components are reviewed during the application process: 

1. grades 

2. teacher recommendations 

3. math and world language placement 

4. personal statement 

5. rigor of courses taken 

Middle school students aspiring to the ACA program are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the most rigorous courses recommended. Students applying to ACA must complete Algebra I no later than eighth grade and be on track to take Geometry and a world language course in ninth grade. ACA students are required to begin a world language no later than ninth grade, but it is advisable to begin in middle school. 

For more information about the ACA program please visit https://www.reynolds.edu//get_started/specialty_programs/default.html
or schedule a meeting with our Coordinator of Student Advancement, Beth Fowler, Ed.D.