Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 1/20/2022 - 6:30 PM
Category: New Business and Reports to the Board
Type: Info
Subject: Early College Update
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support
ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.
Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation
ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments.
Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement
ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
Policy: IGBI - Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Classes
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
220120_Memo_ACPS_Early_College_Update.pdf
220120_Presentation_Early_College_Update_v2.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: As part of the Connected High School Network with the Alexandria City High School Project, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has proposed developing an Early College High School model with the local community college and two area universities. Currently, existing partnerships, policies, and agreements will allow for the planning of seamless transferability in targeted pathways. Efforts behind the Early College model will continue to ensure that ACPS students have a variety of post-high school education and training opportunities that will allow them to successfully contribute to the local and global workforce and be self-sustaining members of society.
Background: As a result of a need to personalize student learning and provide a variety of college and career pathways, a team of staff from ACPS, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA-Alexandria), George Mason University (GMU), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VTECH) will partner to develop an Early College High School model. This model would allow ACPS students to complete their high school diploma while simultaneously earning an associate’s degree. The model would include a four-year framework where a student would enter as a rising ninth grader and complete a designated pathway of courses in four years. Given the local workforce needs and current student career interests, high-demand career occupations such as information technology (IT), education, computer science (CS), and business are among the few pathways being explored, along with a general course of studies through the Universal Certificate of General Studies. Current partnerships and pathways are under development with the intent to target a fall 2024 opening for the first cohort to be on-site at a college or university campus.
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the information in this memo.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Terri H. Mozingo - Chief Academic Officer
Signed By:
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent