Governor Youngkin has announced the first thirteen approved planning grants to develop innovative lab schools in the Commonwealth.
“Restoring excellence in the Commonwealth’s education system has been a top priority of this administration since Day One,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By fostering partnerships between our top ranked education institutions and Virginia’s most critical employers, we are preparing our young people to graduate workforce or college ready.”
“Students in the Commonwealth deserve the opportunity to be immersed in an innovative educational experience that provides both exposure and experience in the world beyond the school walls which prepares them for academic and lifelong success,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “I am thrilled to see so many rich partnerships between higher education, K-12 and the private sector that reimagine and start to transform the one-size-fits-all system.”
A Lab School is a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious school established by a public institution of higher education, public higher education center, institute, authority or other eligible institution of higher education. Lab Schools are designed to stimulate the development of innovative education programs for preschool through grade 12 students.
During the 2022 Special Session the General Assembly awarded $100 million from the Department of Education to support the Virginia College Partnership Laboratory School program.
The award will restore excellence in education by providing:
- $5 million for planning grants of up to $200,000 to support design of new lab schools;
- $20 million for initial start-up grants of up to $1 million to make one-time purchases necessary to launch a lab school; and
- $75 million for per-pupil operating funds to support ongoing expenses for operation and maintenance of a lab school.
The following thirteen planning grants have been awarded to date:
University of Mary Washington
- University of Mary Washington proposes a computer and data science high school focused on preparing students for college, career opportunities, and the teaching profession. They are considering an extended school year, work-based learning opportunities, and innovative instructional approaches.
George Mason University
- George Mason University proposes an Accelerated College Pathways Academy focused on IT, expanding Mason’s tech talent degree programs, and having students graduate with an Associate’s degree along with their high school diploma.
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Virginia Commonwealth University proposes to combine their Teacher Residency program with CodeRVA High School to develop a workforce of teachers that are able to provide computer science-focused education to their future students.
Germanna Community College
- Germanna Community College proposes The Piedmont Regional Pathway to Teaching (PRPT), a Pre-K through 12th grade school meant to streamline the educational and licensure process for future teachers and provide students with rigorous, hands-on instruction in schools and a route to completion and placement in as little as two years after high school graduation.
The Department of Education is currently reviewing an additional 3 planning grant applications and 2 lab school launch applications.
Find more information on Lab Schools here.
