The Governor’s STEM Academy is a four-year high school program which features a curriculum designed for students with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The Governor's STEM Academy is hosted at Grassfield High School.

The Technology Academy opened in September 2008 with it first freshman class. In the Spring of 2012, the Academy earned the distinction of being a Governor’s STEM Academy. The academy operates as a school-within-a-school and features a cutting-edge curriculum especially designed for students with an interest in STEM careers.

Students enrolled in the academy take a rigorous program of study in the core academic areas and technology elective courses from three pathways: engineering and technology, programming and software development, and global entrepreneurship and technology. The Governor’s STEM Academy combines academic and technical training that prepares students for a variety of post-graduation choices: college/university studies, advanced technology training, or entry-level jobs.

Academy students earn industry certification(s) in conjunction with their coursework and complete a work-based learning experience through an internship, mentorship, or job shadowing. Students in the Engineering Pathway have the opportunity to earn college credit through Rochester Institute of Technology through a combination of their end-of-course Project Lead the Way exam score and their class average grade.

Admission to the program is through application only. There is an application deadline for current eighth graders. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on the official waiting list to be considered if any vacancies arise in the program.

Criteria for Admission:

• Minimum Core 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Successful completion of Algebra 1 (prior to enrollment in the academy)

  • Students who are accepted and have not yet completed Algebra I will take it in summer school before starting the academy.

• Favorable recommendations from current English, science, mathematics, and social studies teachers

• Evidence of desire to be challenged through enrollment in honors and high- school-equivalent courses in middle school

Students complete an electronic portfolio of activities that demonstrate strong desire and ability in technology. Students accepted for the academy are transported to Grassfield High School for all instruction in grades nine through twelve, are eligible to participate in all extra-curricular activities at Grassfield - including all Virginia High School League sanctioned activities and sports, and graduate from Grassfield High School.

October/November
Academy information nights are typically offered throughout the district in October and November of each year.

December
December 1: Academy applications are are published to the district Academies webpage.
December 15: Completed academy applications due for submission.

January/February
Application round 2: On-Site Testing

March
Acceptance notifications are sent to students.

For additional information, please call the Academy Coordinator at 757-558-4493.