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When the new editions of Highland Springs and Tucker high schools open in two years, they'll do so with an innovative and redesigned approach to educating.
The Henrico School Board will learn more about what that new approach will look like when school system officials make a presentation at the board's work session this Thursday at 2:30 p.m. (You can watch the work session online at http://henricoschools.us.)
The two schools are among a group of six in Virginia whose representatives are working with Old Dominion University professor Karen Sanzo to develop and implement programs that support the six Cs of Henrico's Learner Profile and the Deeper Learning Model – quality character; global citizen; communicator; collaborator; critical thinker; creative thinker.
The efforts are being funded through grant money provided by the state of Virginia to 13 school divisions.
The idea is to redesign the high school experience for students, so that they not only are prepared for jobs that require key 21st century skills but also socially and emotionally supported through extracurricular activities, wellness efforts and effective learning environments, according to HCPS officials.
Highland Springs and Tucker will serve as prototypes for a "high school of the future" that will guide the redesign of all other Henrico high schools, according to a report prepared for the School Board.
School system officials have formed a design team to work with a consultant and engage staff members, citizens and others in initial work toward that end.
During this school year, the redesign efforts will focus on collaboration with experts; the creation of advisory programs; the provision of student internship opportunities and the creation of safety structures, among other goals.
Next school year, officials intend to implement goals that have been outlined through the state grant. The following year, HIghland Springs and Tucker will open their new facilities.
“Modernizing instructional approaches in our schools helps to improve educational outcomes and adapt to the needs of a 21st-century economy” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam at the time the grant money was allocated. “These grants will allow our teachers to design innovative programs that pair classroom learning with the professional skills and experiences required for success after high school, regardless of whether Virginia students are college-bound or plan to enter the workforce.”
HCPS officials also appear to be envisioning the next use for the existing Highland Springs High School: as an innovation center that could provided "wraparound services" for students. The facility could combine business incubation efforts with:
• additional space for the engineering program at Highland Springs;
• the expansion of the ACE Center programs for students in grades 7 through 12;
• programs involving multiple other career pathways.
