The
Region's K-12 Public Schools: Supporting a culture of learning in which excellence
is expected.
Public schools in Region 2000 reflect the community's vision; technology permeates all curricula levels, and is also spotlighted in a broad array of exceptional Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Dual-enrollment arrangements with the local community college enable area students to pursue advanced studies and training while still in high school.
Students throughout Region 2000 experience an education environment that is enhanced by Advanced Placement programs, gifted and enrichment opportunities—not to mention state-ranked athletic programs. To ensure well-rounded students, all grade levels also have the opportunity to participate in art and music studies—with some schools offering free Suzuki violin instruction for grades K-12.
Not surprisingly, the Region is home to a number of Federal Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence,
Governor's School for Science & Technology
The
Governor's School for Science & Technology in Lynchburg serves outstanding
11th- and 12th-grade students from high schools throughout Region 2000 with
courses such as Physics, Math Analysis, Research, Biology, Computer
Science, Linear Algebra, Calculus, and Vector Calculus. Governor's School
students employ technology in every class to collect and analyze data, to
explore properties of equations, to develop Web pages, to create presentations,
to explore robotics, and in numerous other ways.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
CTE is a whole array of courses and programs available in Virginia's public schools with one vital goal: preparing students to succeed in a world that is increasingly oriented toward highly skilled jobs.
The many CTE offerings in Region 2000's public schools include:
- Accounting
- Architectural Drawing
- Building Trades
- Commercial Printing
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Systems Technology
- Engineering Drawing
- Precision Machine Technology
- Welding
In addition, CTE students have opportunities to learn in the "real world"” through:
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Job Shadowing
- Cooperative Education
Schools for Innovation
Several "Schools for Innovation"” in the region utilize a combination of elementary and high school instructional approaches to integrate advanced math and science content with such broadening studies as foreign languages, theatre, orchestra, communications, and media. These remarkable schools include resources such as MIDI music labs, student video production facilities, digital art studios, and, of course, scores of networked computers.
Partners In Education
For 15 years, a Partners in Education program has cultivated relationships between the schools and hundreds of area businesses, organizations, and institutions. This unique initiative seeks to involve business in school programs and decisions that will directly and indirectly benefit them. It also serves to enhance educational experiences for students by exposing them to work settings within the business community.
Tech Prep
Schools in Region 2000 have a well-established Tech Prep course of study in which students complete two years of high school, then two years of community college work, earning an Associate's Degree in a specific technical career field.
(Since the Tech Prep approach places equal emphasis on academic and technical preparation, students must achieve a required proficiency in math, science, reading, writing, and communications, as well as in relevant technologies.)
Among the many fields currently available for the Tech Prep plan are engineering technology, applied science, a mechanical, industrial, or practical art of trade (e.g., HVAC), agriculture, and health occupations.
Completion of Tech Prep studies can lead either to employment placement or to further education, based on the aspirations of the student.
Enrichment Programs
Opportunities abound in Region 2000 for exceptional students to explore new frontiers of learning.
The Go Center
The GO ("Gifted Opportunities" ) Center in Lynchburg provides its students with opportunities to be involved in specialized studies such as Latin, and to participate in broadening programs such as Junior Achievement and Young Authors. GO Center students are the only elementary students in the state to participate in the Virginia Bar Association/YMCA Mock Judiciary Program (MJP).
The S.T.E.M. Project
Within this unique project (sponsored in part by the National Science Foundation), Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) works with public middle and high schools to raise students' awareness and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math.
Arts Programs
Special opportunities in schools throughout the region enable students to develop their talents in:
- Band/orchestra
- Drama
- Chorus
- Art
- painting
- drawing
- crafts
- sculpture
- graphic design
LAUREL
LAUREL, Central Virginia’s regional public education program provides classroom instruction for regional students, ages 2-21, who are severely and profoundly mentally or physically handicapped or autistic. In addition to the specialized classroom program, other services available to eligible students include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services and services for the hearing impaired.
The Region's Public Schools:
Amherst County—Amherst County Public Schools focuses on student achievement, school safety and communication. The biggest priorities of the school system are the students the educators, and the family of parents, grandparents and all citizens of and those who come to work and run businesses in Amherst County. 45 percent of Amherst High School teachers hold graduate degrees from the masters to doctoral level. There are 10 schools with over 4,500 students enrolled.
Appomattox
County—"Learning and Succeeding in a Caring Environment,"
captures the mission for students and staff in Appomattox County. While the
focus is on academic achievement, they strongly believe in the education of
the whole child in a secure and friendly setting. In recent years, more than
half of the high school graduates have met the requirements for an Advanced
Studies Diploma and nearly two-thirds have completed at least one career or
technical program sequence. 40% of the teachers have advanced degrees. There
are 4 schools with over 2,300 students enrolled.
Bedford County and City—Bedford City and County are located at the foot of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in the heart of central Virginia. The public school system of Bedford County/City is dedicated to excellence in education and strives to ensure that all children of school age receive the highest quality education appropriate to their individual needs and abilities. There are 26 schools with over 12,600 students enrolled.
Altavista
& Campbell County—Campbell County centers their instructional
program on the Virginia Standards of Learning and assumes responsibility for
assuring every child a sequential, balanced program of academic, civic and
social, vocational and personal studies. The primary instructional goals are
to assist students in attaining basic skills necessary for success in school
and to succeed in life and work. Its 16 schools have over 8,800 students enrolled
with more than 50 percent of the teachers have masters' degrees.
Lynchburg City—The Lynchburg City Schools, with its “Tradition of Excellence”, recognizes the uniqueness and worth of all students and will teach each student the concepts, knowledge, and skills necessary to be a thinking, productive, and responsible citizen. The school systems has a Nationally recognized Partners in Education program with over 145 business partners and is a winner of the Federal Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence award. There 21 schools with over 9,000 students enrolled.
The Region's K-12 Private Schools
A dozen private schools in Region 2000 offer a variety of perspectives, curricular emphases, and learning environments. Notably, this list includes the Virginia School of the Arts, an institution nationally recognized for excellence in dance instruction. Among the larger private schools in the region: Virginia Episcopal School, which is open to both boarding and day students, and the K-12 Liberty Christian Academy.
Blue Ridge Discovery School—Embracing each child's natural curiosity, Blue Ridge Discovery School follows the Sudbury Valley School of Massachusette's model for education. With the student population very small, all children are taught together and not in a formal classroom based on age.There are no grades, no tests, but rather their progress is assessed as a group.
Blue Ridge Montessori School—Blue Ridge Montessori School located in Forest, Virginia, provides a safe and nurturing preschool and kindergarten learning environment for children ages two to six years old. Their holistic approach is individualized for each child. They teach them responsibility for each other and themselves. They focus on academics and creative thinking, while providing them with hands-on experiences.
Brookhill Christian School—Founded in 1994, Brookhill Christian School provides a Christ-centered education to young people from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Before- and after-school care are also available in this Bedford county school.
Desmond T. Doss Junior Academy—Desmond T. Doss SDA School is a Seventh-Day Adventist school located in Lynchburg. There are over 60 students enrolled in this Kindergarten – Ninth grade school.
Faith Christian—Faith Christian Academy located in Hurt, Virginia, first opened its doors in 1989 and has students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Faith Christian Academy is an interdenominational, Christ-centered school, directed by an Executive Board in cooperation with the school Administrator. Faith Christian Academy is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Holy Cross Regional Catholic School—Holy Cross Regional Catholic School has contributed to the formation of the local community since 1879.
James River Day School—James River Day School is a private, non-sectarian school that serves students from Kindergarten through eighth grade. James River Day School's college preparatory program balances academic achievement, community service and personal enrichment.
Liberty
Christian Academy—Liberty Christian Academy focuses on the
spiritual, academic, social, physical, and vocational needs of its students.
LCA serves students from pre-school through the twelfth grade.
New Covenant Schools of Bedford—New Covenant Schools of Bedford provides a classical, Christian education for children grades Kindergarten through 12th. Children are given the tools of learning in the academic sense as well as how to reason and understand things. Most importantly, they learn how to think and live with Christ at the center of their life.
New Covenant Schools—New Covenant is an educational community founded in the classical, Christian tradition. New Covenant serves students from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Established in 1991, the school is located on a 50-acre campus in Lynchburg.
New Vistas—New Vistas Schools located in Lynchburg is a private, not-for-profit day school for students grade K - 12, New Vistas provides a strong, individualized educational program for students with learning and attention difficulties who are struggling in traditional schools.
Pactum Boys School—Pactum Boys’ Academy is a classical Christian school specifically designed for boys in the first through seventh grade. The school is located in Lynchburg.
Temple Christian School—Temple Christian School is a private Baptist school for children grades Pre-K through Eighth. Located in Amherst County, over 360 children throughout the region attend this school.
Timberlake Christian School—Timberlake Christian School is a private Baptist school for children grades Pre-K through 12. Located in Campbell County, over 480 children attend this school.
Virginia
Episcopal School—Virginia Episcopal School Founded in 1916,
VES is a college preparatory, coeducational, independent boarding and day
school for students in grades 9-12. The 160 acre campus is located in a residential
section of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Virginia School of the Arts—Virginia School of the Arts is a private residential and day school that offers an intensive and comprehensive dance curriculum in which students have the opportunity to explore their creative talents as well as develop strong dance technique and pursue a full academic program. The classical ballet-based program is augmented with a regular schedule of jazz and modern classes. In addition to the distinguished resident faculty, nationally recognized guest artists offer program diversity. Upon graduation students are prepared to begin their careers immediately, to continue their training at a conservatory, or to study at a more traditional college or university.