About

  • Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) offers a variety of application-based opportunities for increased student participation in programs of advanced study to include the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Programme (IB), and the Stafford Academy for Technology (STAT). All of the programs center around rigorous, pre-university curriculum and examination programs designed for academically able students. Additionally, the Regional Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS), a Gifted Academic Year Governor’s School, incorporates aspects of both Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment (DE) coursework to offer gifted highly motivated students a challenging, differentiated, and interdisciplinary program.

    Furthermore, the Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs offer students an Advanced Studies Diploma to enhance their career plans. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are also available for students in certain CTE courses. CTE courses support effective college planning by reducing indecision about college programs of study and can help families make effective use of financial resources.

Curriculum

  • The AP, CGS, IB, and STAT focus on high academic standards, emphasizing practical real-world applications and international perspectives.  All of these programs accentuate the development of higher-order thinking skills, including problem solving and creativity. AP also provides a broad program but emphasizes a unique and flexible curriculum that can be tailored to the abilities, interests, and goals of students.  The three CGS community strands of environment, development, and service are key components of the CGS curriculum; IB provides a broad, globalized, general education option for students who excel in studies across the curriculum while providing for specialization in accord with particular interests and goals. Students are challenged through problem-based instruction that is infused with technology and is enabled to reach worldwide resources for special interest projects and in-depth research. 

    CTE programs allow students opportunities for leadership in a student-led organization related to their CTE course of interest.  The Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) enriches the class experience beyond the classroom with the integration of competitive events, public speaking, entrepreneurship, personal growth, community, and partnerships.

Benefits of Participation

    • Opportunities for advanced student focusing on increading students' meta-cognitive skills (self-monitoring of learning)
    • Instruction that focuses on teamwork and collaborative investigation
    • Increases in students' confidence and motivation to succeed in advanced study courses
    • A challenging environment that inspires and encourages students to believe in their own potential
    • Experiencing university-level coursework while still in secondary school
    • Increased opportunities to qualify for scholarships due to the rigor of the academic program
    • Increase in options due to credits earned (explore double major, study abroad, etc.)
    • Increased opportunities for students to participate and succeed on the AP/IB final examinations
    • The potential for AP, DE, and IB students to obtain university credit and fulfill requirements
    • Save time and money (parent and student)
    • Many state colleges and universitities will award up to a maximum of 38 credit hours for achievement on AP/IB exams
    • Additional opportunities to earn advanced status at many colleges and universities with passing scores on the associated AP/IB examinations and exam certificates

Where are the programs?

  • AP Capstone

    Colonial Forge High School
    North Stafford High School
    Stafford High School

    CGS

    Colonial Forge High School
    North Stafford High School
    Stafford High School
    *Transportation Provided

    CTE

    Brooke Point High School
    Colonial Forge High School
    Mountain View High School
    North Stafford High School
    Stafford High School
    *Transportation May Be Provided

    IB

    Brooke Point High School
    Mountain View High School

    JROTC

    Brooke Point High School
    Colonial Forge High School
    North Stafford High School
    Stafford High School

    STAT

    Brooke Point High School
    North Stafford High School
    *Transportation Provided

Commitment Statement

  • SCPS is committed to providing academic opportunities that are consistent with the research findings of how students learn. When a student applies for SCPS Secondary Specialty Programs, we hope their goal is to commit to a program that strives to do the following: engage students in inquiry; provide opportunities for students to experiment and analyze information critically; encourage students to make conjectures and debate their validity and enable students to solve problems both individually and collaboratively. We are dedicated to preparing and producing 21st Century Learners today for all of our tomorrows.

FAQs

  • Question

    Answer 

    What is the deadline by which we must accept or decline an offer to attend a secondary program?

    February 6, 2023

    What are the facts around VHSL eligibility and transfer policies?

    VHSL eligibility is established at  the high school where students enroll  as a 9th grade student. Students will then have 8 consecutive semesters of VHSL Athletic Eligibility. Students transferring back to their home-zoned school or another high school that does not correspond with a family move MAY have to sit out of all VHSL competitions for 365 days (per VHSL policies - see school administration).


    VHSL Handbook - Guidelines for VHSL eligibility requirements are located on pages 70-90, Section 28 - Individual Eligibility Regulations.


    Athletic and Activities Code Of Conduct - VHSL Summary Eligibility Regulations page 48-49


    VHSL Eligibility Requirements are also located on page one of the VHSL Physical Form found on page 50 of the Athletic and Activities Code Of Conduct

    If students exit a special program, will they be allowed to participate in sports after transferring?

    Students are subject to VHSL eligibility policies, including policies that are impacted by transferring from one high school to another.

    If a student leaves a secondary program, will they be required to return to their home-zoned school?

    Yes. The student’s return date will depend upon the date of withdrawal from the program and after consideration of scheduling options and course availability. 

    Will students be able to participate in CTE programs in addition to the secondary program they attend?

    Students may participate in any of the CTE programs offered at the school to which they transfer, subject to course scheduling and availability. 

    What happens if I have one of two siblings that were accepted to a secondary program housed at a school to which they are not zoned? 

    If one sibling chooses to accept the offer to attend, then the siblings will attend different schools.

    Will families have a choice which school they attend? 

    Beginning with rising 9th grade students in 2023-2024, students accepted to CGS, STAT, and Cyber 4+ will be transferred to a school offering a secondary program based on their home-zoned school. School transfer has been standard previous practice for IB students.

    How will students be transported to their designated secondary program school?

    Daily transportation from and to the home will be provided.

    How long can I expect my student to ride on the bus if traveling to a school that is not our original base school?

    Typically, our goal is to have students ride a bus no longer than 90 minutes. However, details regarding transportation will be available prior to the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.

    Can rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in 2023-2024 choose to be transferred instead of traveling midday each day?

    Rising 9th graders that accept an offer to attend a secondary program in 2023-2024 will be required to transfer to a designated school for IB, CGS, STAT, or Cyber4+. Current high school students in 2022-2023 that wish to transfer need to follow transfer request procedures outlined in Stafford County Public Schools Policy 2103 and Regulation 2103-R.

    How do students register for dual enrollment classes through Germanna?

    High school counselors will work with the student and parents through the process to enroll students in dual enrollment coursework.

    Will students be permitted to drive to the school to which they are transferred? Will the student have permission to take a rider when driving to the new school? 

    Yes, each high school allows student drivers. All high schools have procedures in place for purchasing parking permits and registering to drive. The maximum number of non-family passengers in a car for young drivers is determined by state law and is at the discretion of the parent.

    What is the criteria by which my child is evaluated for acceptance?

    STAT Evaluation Rubric

    CGS Evaluation Rubric

    Cyber4+ Evaluation Rubric

Resources