Future Educators Academy

Overview: The Future Educators Academy (FEA) is a distinctive college partnership lab school designed to prepare future elementary and special education teachers. This program emphasizes dual enrollment and accelerates, hands-on learning experiences. FEA is ideal for high school students who aspire to become educators.

Academic Pathways and Partnerships: FEA maintains a specialized transfer agreement with the University of Mary Washington and is forming additional partnerships. The program will transfer to all public four-year universities in Virginia. This allows students to seamlessly transition into a bachelor’s degree program, achieving their teacher licensure within two years post-high school. Funded by the College Partnership Laboratory School Fund, the FEA enables students to earn an associate degree without any financial burden.

Program Structure: The FEA program, a collaboration between Laurel Ridge Community College and high schools in the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren, and the City of Winchester and aligns college-level coursework with high school education. The program starts in the fall of the junior year and continues through the senior spring. Classes are held on campus at Laurel Ridge both campuses (Middletown and Fauquier) during the first half of the day, with students returning to their base high school for the remainder of their classes.

 Eligibility Criteria:

• Enrollment as a rising junior at a participating high school.

• Completion of Algebra II (or a higher-level math course) by the end of the sophomore year.

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (unweighted), reflecting good academic standing.

• Achievement of at least 3 verified credits by the end of the sophomore year. Transfer students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Consistently excellent school attendance.

• Good disciplinary record at the current high school.

Application Process:

• Counselor Consultation: Students interested in FEA should meet with their high school counselor to assess eligibility and obtain the application packet.

• Transcript Submission: Laurel Ridge Community College will request high school transcripts as part of the application process to verify the fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

Future Educators Academy Curriculum (Junior and Senior Year):