Important Fact!
For some of these programs, you do not need to be zoned
for the school where these programs are offered.
In most cases, you can apply to any program available in your county.
for the school where these programs are offered.
In most cases, you can apply to any program available in your county.
Commonwealth Governor's School
Each year, Holy Cross Academy has several students that apply for this program.
Many have attended and completed the program.
Based on a school-within-a-school model, the half-day program at CGS utilizes
real-time interactive audio/visual technology, field trips, and team teaching
to create a regional community of learners. Students from Caroline, King
George, Spotsylvania and Stafford school divisions are offered a rigorous
program of study while interacting with other talented students in the region.
Students from participating high schools travel to one of the six CGS sites:
Colonial Forge High School, North Stafford High School, Stafford High School,
Spotsylvania High School, Riverbend High School, and King George High School.
The CGS program provides students with a four-year program (students are required
each year to take all four subjects) through which they can achieve a deep
conceptual understanding of a discipline as well as its integration with other
disciplines. Teachers provide opportunities to experiment, analyze information
critically, make conjectures and argue their validity, and solve real world
problems both individually and in groups. Students develop technology skills
for effective communication, investigation, and presentation. Community
partnerships provide year-round, as well as service-learning, opportunities.
Here is a link for more information:
http://www.cgs.k12.va.us
If you are considering applying please let Mrs. Darling know ASAP. The application process is very involved and intense.
Stafford Application: http://www.cgsva.net/cgs/public/prospective/stafford.aspx
Spotsylvania Application: http://www.cgsva.net/cgs/public/prospective/spotsylvania.aspx
Upcoming dates:
CGS @ HCA - for interested 7th and 8th graders @9am in library (location tentative)
Student tour Spotsy - @ Riverbend
Spotsy Parent Information Night (students may attend) - December 8th Riverbend High School 6:30-8:30
Stafford Parent Information Night (students may attend) - November 17th North and Stafford High Schools - 6:30 - 8:30
Applications made available - January 2nd (online)
Applications due to Mrs. Darling February 5th (Friday)
Applications due to CGS offices - February 14th (Friday) Must be delivered by Mrs. Darling, not parent.
Commonwealth Governor's School Curriculum
Ninth Grade:
Honors English 9
Honors Algebra II
AP Environmental Science**
AP European History **
Tenth Grade:
Honors English 10
Honors Math Analysis with Discrete Topics
Or Honors Geometry with Trigonometry
AP Biology**
AP US Government **
Eleventh Grade:
AP English Language & Composition **
AP Calculus BC **
Or Honors Math Analysis with Discrete Topics
Dual Enrollment Chemistry
AP U.S. History **
Twelfth Grade:
AP English Literature & Composition **
AP Statistics ** or AP Calculus BC **
AP Physics B **
AP Human Geography **
** -Weighted Classes
Successful completion of CGS courses means 30 completed college credits at graduation.
Many have attended and completed the program.
Based on a school-within-a-school model, the half-day program at CGS utilizes
real-time interactive audio/visual technology, field trips, and team teaching
to create a regional community of learners. Students from Caroline, King
George, Spotsylvania and Stafford school divisions are offered a rigorous
program of study while interacting with other talented students in the region.
Students from participating high schools travel to one of the six CGS sites:
Colonial Forge High School, North Stafford High School, Stafford High School,
Spotsylvania High School, Riverbend High School, and King George High School.
The CGS program provides students with a four-year program (students are required
each year to take all four subjects) through which they can achieve a deep
conceptual understanding of a discipline as well as its integration with other
disciplines. Teachers provide opportunities to experiment, analyze information
critically, make conjectures and argue their validity, and solve real world
problems both individually and in groups. Students develop technology skills
for effective communication, investigation, and presentation. Community
partnerships provide year-round, as well as service-learning, opportunities.
Here is a link for more information:
http://www.cgs.k12.va.us
If you are considering applying please let Mrs. Darling know ASAP. The application process is very involved and intense.
Stafford Application: http://www.cgsva.net/cgs/public/prospective/stafford.aspx
Spotsylvania Application: http://www.cgsva.net/cgs/public/prospective/spotsylvania.aspx
Upcoming dates:
CGS @ HCA - for interested 7th and 8th graders @9am in library (location tentative)
Student tour Spotsy - @ Riverbend
Spotsy Parent Information Night (students may attend) - December 8th Riverbend High School 6:30-8:30
Stafford Parent Information Night (students may attend) - November 17th North and Stafford High Schools - 6:30 - 8:30
Applications made available - January 2nd (online)
Applications due to Mrs. Darling February 5th (Friday)
Applications due to CGS offices - February 14th (Friday) Must be delivered by Mrs. Darling, not parent.
Commonwealth Governor's School Curriculum
Ninth Grade:
Honors English 9
Honors Algebra II
AP Environmental Science**
AP European History **
Tenth Grade:
Honors English 10
Honors Math Analysis with Discrete Topics
Or Honors Geometry with Trigonometry
AP Biology**
AP US Government **
Eleventh Grade:
AP English Language & Composition **
AP Calculus BC **
Or Honors Math Analysis with Discrete Topics
Dual Enrollment Chemistry
AP U.S. History **
Twelfth Grade:
AP English Literature & Composition **
AP Statistics ** or AP Calculus BC **
AP Physics B **
AP Human Geography **
** -Weighted Classes
Successful completion of CGS courses means 30 completed college credits at graduation.
International Baccalaureate - Mountain View & Brooke Point High Schools,
Stafford County
Mountain View High School is the only school in our area that is International Baccalaureate World School. IB is VERY different from Governor's School.
"IB is a rigorous, internationally recognized program of study offered to
highly motivated 11th and 12th grade students. When combined with the “Pre-IB”
program (honors courses) for grades nine and ten, IB is a challenging four-year
university preparatory program. IB emphasizes critical thinking and the
understanding of other cultures and points of view. What makes the IB program
particularly unique is a commitment to the development of the whole person with
an eye to foster caring and compassionate life-long learning. IB students are challenged to use their education to “create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” (IB Mission Statement). There are currently over 2,007 IB Diploma Programmes in the world and nearly 700 in the United States; 38 high schools in Virginia presently feature the IB Diploma Programme. In Stafford County, MVHS and Brooke Point High School are both IB World Schools."
Click on this link to get information about Mountain View's IB Classes and IB Diploma:
http://ibatmv.com
The program at MVHS is enthusiastically run by Lisa Renard.
renardla@staffordschools.net
Spotsylvania High School became an IB School in 2016!
Spotsylvania County IB Programme: jnavarrete@spotsylvania.k12.va.us Jennifer Navarette
James Monroe High School became an IB School in 2016!
Fredericksburg City IB Programme: jsnyder@cityschools.com Jay Snyder
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the DP.
Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The three core elements are:
Group 1: Language A1:
9th - English 9 Honors
10th - English 10 Honors
Grade 11th - IB English HL
Grade 12th - IB English HL
Group 2 : Second Language:
9th - Spanish 1, 2, or 3
10th - Spanish 2, 3, or 4
11th - IB Spanish SL
12th - IB Spanish SL
Group 3 : Individuals and Societies
9th - AP World History I AND II OR World History I and II
10th - US/VA Government
11th - History of the Americas
12th - History of the Americas HL
Group 4 : Experimental Sciences
9th - Honors Earth Science & Honors Biology
10th - Honors Biology & Chemistry
11th - Physics SL or HL OR Biology SL or HL
12th - Physics SL or HL and Biology SL or HL
Group 5 : Mathmatics and Computer Science
9th - Adv. Geometry and Algebra II or Adv. Algebra II
10th - Adv. Algebra II AND Algebra III with Trigonometry or Statistics
11th - IB Mathematics SL OR IB Math Studies SL
12th - IB Mathematics SL or IB Math Studies SL
**Many students have begun advanced mathematics in middle school. Students that have completed math requirements before senior year may consider taking AP Calculus in grade 12.
Group 6 : The Arts
9th - Art I and II
10th - Art III
11th - Visual Arts HL
12th Visual Arts HL
Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.
Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.
Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level.
Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.
IB Information Nights in SCPS:
- Mountain View High School: February 9 6:30-8:30
FACTS for SCPS :)
Students not zoned for MV or BP may transfer for the full IB Diploma Program, but SCPS does not provide transportation.
Students who transfer stay at that school all day (no travel between schools).
Students can't transfer for individual IB courses, just the full IB Diploma Program.
Policies will be for FXBG and Spotsy may differ.
Applications for MV and BP will be available in February and will be due at the end of March/beginning of April.
"IB is a rigorous, internationally recognized program of study offered to
highly motivated 11th and 12th grade students. When combined with the “Pre-IB”
program (honors courses) for grades nine and ten, IB is a challenging four-year
university preparatory program. IB emphasizes critical thinking and the
understanding of other cultures and points of view. What makes the IB program
particularly unique is a commitment to the development of the whole person with
an eye to foster caring and compassionate life-long learning. IB students are challenged to use their education to “create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect” (IB Mission Statement). There are currently over 2,007 IB Diploma Programmes in the world and nearly 700 in the United States; 38 high schools in Virginia presently feature the IB Diploma Programme. In Stafford County, MVHS and Brooke Point High School are both IB World Schools."
Click on this link to get information about Mountain View's IB Classes and IB Diploma:
http://ibatmv.com
The program at MVHS is enthusiastically run by Lisa Renard.
renardla@staffordschools.net
Spotsylvania High School became an IB School in 2016!
Spotsylvania County IB Programme: jnavarrete@spotsylvania.k12.va.us Jennifer Navarette
James Monroe High School became an IB School in 2016!
Fredericksburg City IB Programme: jsnyder@cityschools.com Jay Snyder
The International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum sets out the requirements for study of the DP.
Made up of the three required components, the DP core aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.
The three core elements are:
- Theory of knowledge, in which students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know.
- The extended essay, which is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.
- Creativity, action, service, in which students complete a project related to those three concepts.
- Studies in language and literature
- Language acquisition
- Individuals and societies
- Sciences.
- Mathematics
- The arts
Group 1: Language A1:
9th - English 9 Honors
10th - English 10 Honors
Grade 11th - IB English HL
Grade 12th - IB English HL
Group 2 : Second Language:
9th - Spanish 1, 2, or 3
10th - Spanish 2, 3, or 4
11th - IB Spanish SL
12th - IB Spanish SL
Group 3 : Individuals and Societies
9th - AP World History I AND II OR World History I and II
10th - US/VA Government
11th - History of the Americas
12th - History of the Americas HL
Group 4 : Experimental Sciences
9th - Honors Earth Science & Honors Biology
10th - Honors Biology & Chemistry
11th - Physics SL or HL OR Biology SL or HL
12th - Physics SL or HL and Biology SL or HL
Group 5 : Mathmatics and Computer Science
9th - Adv. Geometry and Algebra II or Adv. Algebra II
10th - Adv. Algebra II AND Algebra III with Trigonometry or Statistics
11th - IB Mathematics SL OR IB Math Studies SL
12th - IB Mathematics SL or IB Math Studies SL
**Many students have begun advanced mathematics in middle school. Students that have completed math requirements before senior year may consider taking AP Calculus in grade 12.
Group 6 : The Arts
9th - Art I and II
10th - Art III
11th - Visual Arts HL
12th Visual Arts HL
Students may opt to study an additional sciences, individuals and societies, or languages course, instead of a course in the arts.
Students will take some subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level.
Each student takes at least three (but not more than four) subjects at higher level, and the remaining at standard level.
Standard level subjects take up 150 teaching hours. Higher level comprises 240 teaching hours.
IB Information Nights in SCPS:
- Mountain View High School: February 9 6:30-8:30
FACTS for SCPS :)
Students not zoned for MV or BP may transfer for the full IB Diploma Program, but SCPS does not provide transportation.
Students who transfer stay at that school all day (no travel between schools).
Students can't transfer for individual IB courses, just the full IB Diploma Program.
Policies will be for FXBG and Spotsy may differ.
Applications for MV and BP will be available in February and will be due at the end of March/beginning of April.
Dual enrollment at Germanna
http://www.germanna.edu/de/index.asp
Dual Enrollment is an enriching program where high school students take
college courses and earn college credit in their own high school. Through Dual
Enrollment courses, high school students gain exposure to college academics,
learn from instructors with credentials to teach at the college level, have
access to Student Resources that facilitate student success, and earn college
credit while fulfilling high school graduation requirements!
Dual Enrollment is an enriching program where high school students take
college courses and earn college credit in their own high school. Through Dual
Enrollment courses, high school students gain exposure to college academics,
learn from instructors with credentials to teach at the college level, have
access to Student Resources that facilitate student success, and earn college
credit while fulfilling high school graduation requirements!
A brief note about Honors Level Classes and Advanced Placement
Honors.
If your child enrolls at a Public High School they have the option of registering for Honors Level Courses.
There are a few things you should know about Honors Courses:
1. There is summer homework in most Honors Classes. Make sure you check the school website for the work over the summer or ask about it when your register.
2. You will need teacher approval to register for them after your freshman year. If you don't do well, your teacher may recommend that you take the College Prep Level Course in that subject next year.
3. While they look great on your transcripts for college, these classes are NOT weighted. Advance Placement Courses are the only course that is weighted in High School.
4. There is a contract, you have to sign it. It states that you understand there is a different standard in Honors Classes and that you will strive to uphold that standard.
Advanced Placement.
AP Classes can be taken as an elective. They are offered in an abundance of subjects from Psychology, to Environmental Biology, Macroeconomics, etc. Your school should have an AP Coordinator that will manage all aspects of Advanced Placement Studies.
Here is a link: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html
And this is a subject list: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/scores/distributions
A few things you should know about AP:
1. Classes are weighted, final grades are weighted by one letter grade.
2. Classes are College Level.
3. There MAY be summer homework.
4. Certain Colleges will accept AP credits toward a college degree however NOT ALL COLLEGES WILL ACCEPT THESE CREDITS.
5. In order to get the AP College credit and to get the weighted grade, you MUST take the AP Exam at the end of the year. These tests are expensive. They are not mandatory. If you do not take the test you cannot get college credit for the course.
6. As with Honors, there is a AP Expectation Agreement Contract you will have to sign.
7. Most schools do not allow freshman to take AP classes unless they are in Governor's School.
Engineering Enthusiasts - check out STAT -Stafford Academy for Technology
Available at Stafford High School.
Stafford Academy for Technology (STAT) is a state-approved Governor’s STEM
Academy. STAT is a four-year college-prep program of study utilizing an
integrated hands-on, project-based model of instruction focused on Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career areas. (STEM includes
medical fields). The STAT collaborative instructional team includes teachers
from sciences, technology, English, and mathematics. STAT is open to rising
ninth graders on an application basis and to tenth graders who have taken the
first technology or engineering course in the sequence. Applicants in the
tenth grade will be accepted on a space-available basis. The program is
half-day. Bus transportation from the base school is provided.
The STAT Information Night is scheduled for Thursday, January 5 at North Stafford High School, 839 Garrisonville Rd. An evening event; time will be confirmed soon.
Parents who would like to be put on a mailing list for STAT updates should send their email along with their child's grade level to robinsondm@staffordschools.net (Dinah Robinson)
or by calling (540) 658-6713
STAT information is available at the SCPS STAT web page (under construction): http://www.staffordschools.net/Domain/4382
Attendees will have an opportunity to attend sessions on the following:
High School Math Pathways
Information Technology STAT Academy
Biomedical Sciences STAT Academy
Engineering STAT Academy
These programs are available at the following schools:
Biomedical Sciences - North Stafford HS Information
Technology - Brooke Point HS
Engineering - North Stafford and Stafford HS