The State Board of Education took action March 26, 2012 on four requests for new STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academies to be located at Virginia high schools. These academies, when all are finally approved this spring, will bring the total of these learning opportunities to fourteen across the Commonwealth. There are currently Governor’s STEM academies in Arlington County, Chesterfield County, Halifax County, Hampton City, Loudoun County, Richmond City, Russell County, Stafford County, Suffolk City and Carroll County. The Governor’s STEM Academies are designed to expand opportunities for the general student population to acquire STEM literacy and other critical skills, knowledge, and credentials that will prepare them for high-wage and high-skills careers.
The actions taken by the board on April 26 were:
- Final review and approval from the Virginia Beach Public Schools to establish a Governor’s STEM Academy for Engineering, Marketing and Information at Landstown High School. The three pathways included in this proposal are Engineering and Technology, Professional Sales and Web and Digital Communications. Dr. Brian Matney, principal at Landstown High School, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals and also represents VASSP on the Govenor’s Advisory Board for Teacher Education and Licensure (ABTEL).
- First review for the Fairfax County Public Schools to establish a Governor’s STEM Academy at Chantilly High School and Chantilly Academy. The two career pathways in this proposal would focus on Engineering and Technology and Network Systems. This proposal was accepted for first review and will be acted upon during the May 24th State Board meeting.
- First review for the Roanoke County Public Schools to establish a Governor’s STEM Academy at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology. The three career pathways in this proposal would focus on Engineering and Technology, Journalism and Broadcasting, and Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintainence. This proposal was accepted for first review and will be acted upon during the May 24th State Board meeting.
- First review for the Chesapeake Public Schools to establish a Governor’s STEM Academy at Grassfield High School. The three pathways in this proposal are Engineering and Technology, Programming and Software Development, and Marketing Management. This proposal was accepted for first review and will be acted upon during the May 24th State Board meeting. Mrs. Carolyn Bernard, principal at Grassfield High School, currently serves as President of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals.
Congratulations to the staff members and administrators of each of these high schools for their excellent presentations to the State Board at the April meeting.
