Special Course Information

Advanced Placement (AP)

AP courses, taught by dedicated and committed high school teachers, lay the groundwork for students to succeed at the collegiate level. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in the AP examinations. 

Dual Enrollment (DE)

Students at John Handley High School may earn college credit from Laurel Ridge Community College or other area colleges/universities through dual enrollment.  Prior to enrolling in dual enrollment courses, students may need to pass the Virginia Placement Test (VPT). Dual enrollment provides a wider range of course options, sharpens students’ general preparedness for college, and allows high school students to earn college credit which may be transferred to other colleges and universities. 

The transferability of a college course to another college or university for credit is determined by the receiving institution. Normally, academic courses intended for transfer with a grade of “C” or better will transfer to four-year institutions of higher learning; however, no guarantee can be made to students regarding transferability to all colleges and universities. This information may be found on most college and university websites or by contacting the office of admissions.

In all cases, the particular courses to be offered shall be determined through the mutual agreement of the Winchester Public Schools and the respective college.  Dual enrollment opportunities vary in format including:

• Courses taught at the college;

• Courses taught at the local high schools by credentialed high school instructors.

College credits will be awarded according to the college catalog.  High school credit will be awarded according to the guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Education.  Course fees will be assessed by the college, and the student portion of the payment may be the responsibility of the student and the family. Laurel Ridge Community College offers a reduced fee per course for John Handley High School students. Contact the counseling department for more information.

Winchester Public Schools, JHHS and Laurel Ridge Community College are working collaboratively to expand opportunities that would enable students to complete an associate’s degree or general education certificate concurrently with a high school diploma.  Additional information is available through the JHHS Counseling Department.  Dual enrollment offerings may vary from year to year.  Projected dual enrollment courses for the upcoming school year are noted as such within the department course descriptions and are subject to change based on the credentials of teaching staff.

Laurel Ridge Community College is not bound by WPS 504 or IEP accommodations already established. Questions about these accommodations can be found at Accommodations and Disability Services at Laurel Ridge Community College.

Future Educators Academy (FEA)

Future Educators Academy (FEA) is a college partnership lab school that prepares rising high school juniors aspiring to be elementary and special education teachers through dual enrollment using accelerated, hands-on learning. After obtaining their two-year associate degree from Laurel Ridge, FEA students can transfer to a partner institution and earn their bachelor’s degree and teacher licensure two years after high school graduation. 

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.

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

Additional information can be found at: Future Educators Academy

Mountain Vista Governor’s School (MVGS)

The mission of MVGS is to engage students in a technology-enhanced program, exploring connections within an integrated curriculum of advanced mathematics, science, and the humanities through collaborative research. MVGS challenges students to grow as critical thinkers, leaders, and innovators to maximize their future roles in a constantly changing global society. MVGS serves over 100 students from the region on two campuses. Handley students, grades 10-12, attend the Middletown, VA site located at Laurel Ridge Community College. Students participate in 4.5 hours of instruction each day at MVGS and return to Handley for afternoon coursework. MVGS courses which are not AP dual enrollment and do not have comparable weighted at JHHS will not be weighted

Additional information can be found at: Mountain Vista Governor's School for Math, Science, and Technology

Online Courses

Online courses are available to students for the following reasons:

• A course is not available to the student because it is not offered at Handley;

• A course is not available to the student due to a scheduling conflict;

• A student misses an opportunity for academic acceleration.

Online courses provide a variety of academic options throughout the calendar year. Applications for all online courses are available in the School Counseling Office. Eligible students need to apply by the appropriate deadline. Students can take Virtual Virginia courses during the academic calendar year at no cost to the student. For all other online courses, students are responsible for the payment of the courses. The school division will not be responsible for payment of the courses unless approved by the Assistant Superintendent.

Online courses can be taken through the following platforms. For more information on classes and prerequisites, please visit the associated website.

• Virtual Virginia

• Whitmore School

• BYU (Brigham Young University) Independent Study

• APEX Learning Virtual School

• Laurel Ridge Community College

  1. • Liberty University Online Academy

Trades Academy

Upon successful completion of this one-year course sequence, students will be Career and Technical Education Completers in Industrial Maintenance Technician I and Maintenance Technician II. The program provides students the opportunity to learn skills in welding, HVAC, hydraulics/pneumatics and electricity. Students will also learn skills related to a variety of industrial processes. Students will earn 31 college credits and complete a Career Studies Certificate in EPA CFC (Environmental Protection Agency Chlorofluorocarbon Certificate) and Electricity. Students participate in 4.5 hours of instruction each day at Laurel Ridge Community College and return to Handley for afternoon coursework and/or related job experiences. These courses are intended for seniors and require an application and acceptance process for the 3 seats that are available to John Handley High School students.