Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is not an impact to current high school students. Current high school students will continue to complete their Secondary Program Pathways at their present high school.

No, students are not required to apply to any of these programs. All Stafford Schools high schools will continue to offer comprehensive educational programs and CTE coursework. 

Please see the CGS website for detailed information about this Regional School.

Please see the ATI-UMW website for detailed information about this Regional School.

Yes, there are several Secondary Program Pathways open to rising 10th and 11th graders such as auto body, automotive technology, barbering and cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, horticulture science, firefighting, and health assisting careers. For a full list of Secondary Program Pathways, please see the 2024-2025 Program of Studies beginning on page 85.

All accommodations and special services to support students with disabilities, English Learners, and gifted students are provided at each of our high schools.

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

Students may request to change their pathway but the requests are subject to space availability at the time of the request.

The Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS) does have specific eligibility requirements including taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. CGS uses a merit-based selection system. Certain pathways require taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. These include the Biomedical Sciences, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and Engineering pathways. All other secondary pathways are open to all rising 9th grade students.

No, students are not required to apply to any of these programs. All Stafford Schools high schools will continue to offer comprehensive educational programs and CTE coursework.

For more information, please see our “Specialty Centers: A Guide for Parents and Students” document, visit the Programs and Pathways page on our website, or view the 2024-2025 Program of Studies, beginning on page 70 (quick navigation available through the table of contents).

Specialty Centers - page 70

Secondary Program Pathways - page 85

Regional Schools - page 102

No, students that are not enrolled in the Specialty Center cannot attend Center specific courses that are designed for Center students. 

Students may take other courses offered in the Center's pathways if space allows.

2024-2025

• Leadership, Education, and Public Service (LEAPS) Center at Mountain View High School
• Engineering Professions and Industries of Construction (EPIC) Center at Stafford High School
• Community Health and Medical Professions (CHAMP) Center

2025-2026

• Business Operations, Systems, and Software (BOSS) Center at Colonial Forge High School

2026-2027

• Aviation and Integrated Management (AIM) Center at North Stafford High School
• Creative Arts, Media, and Performance (CAMP) Center at High School 6

*NOTE: Center names have not been finalized.

Each student will attend the school at which their program is housed. Students not enrolled in a Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway will attend their home zoned school.

Students may request to change their pathway but the requests are subject to space availability at the time of the request.

Yes, students will be required to return to their home-zoned school if they leave the Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway. The student’s return date will depend upon the date of withdrawal from the program and after consideration of scheduling options and course availability.

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 choosing to transfer back to their home-zoned school or another high school that does not correspond with a family move MAY be subject to eligibility implications per VHSL policy - 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

Yes, the IB Diploma Programme is available as an option through the LEAPS Center and without enrolling in the center. Students may select the IB Diploma Programme in the lottery application.

Students will be required to transfer to the high school that houses the Specialty Center or program pathway. Stafford Schools will provide daily transportation to and from the student’s home to their Specialty Center, Regional School or program school. For programs with multiple locations, students will be assigned a school location based on residence location (not necessarily based on their zoned high school).

The Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS) does have specific eligibility requirements including taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. CGS uses a merit-based selection system. Certain pathways require taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. These include the Biomedical Sciences, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and Engineering pathways. All other secondary pathways are open to all rising 9th grade students.

For more information, please see our “Specialty Centers: A Guide for Parents and Students” document, visit the Programs and Pathways page on our website, or view the 2024-2025 Program of Studies, beginning on page 70 (quick navigation available through the table of contents).

Specialty Centers - page 70

Secondary Program Pathways - page 85

Regional Schools - page 102

Yes, there are several Secondary Program Pathways open to rising 10th and 11th graders such as auto body, automotive technology, barbering and cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, horticulture science, firefighting, and health assisting careers. For a full list of Secondary Program Pathways, please see the 2024-2025 Program of Studies beginning on page 85.

For programs offered at multiple high schools, students will be assigned to the high school based on their location of residence.

Each student will attend the school at which their program is housed. Students not enrolled in a Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway will attend their home zoned school.

Students may request to change their pathway but the requests are subject to space availability at the time of the request.

Yes, students will be required to return to their home-zoned school if they leave the Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway. The student’s return date will depend upon the date of withdrawal from the program and after consideration of scheduling options and course availability.

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 choosing to transfer back to their home-zoned school or another high school that does not correspond with a family move MAY be subject to eligibility implications per VHSL policy - 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

Yes, the IB Diploma Programme is available as an option through the LEAPS Center and without enrolling in the center. Students may select the IB Diploma Programme in the lottery application.

The Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS) does have specific eligibility requirements including taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. CGS uses a merit-based selection system. Certain pathways require taking Algebra I or higher during middle school. These include the Biomedical Sciences, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and Engineering pathways. All other secondary pathways are open to all rising 9th grade students.

For more information, please see our “Specialty Centers: A Guide for Parents and Students” document, visit the Programs and Pathways page on our website, or view the 2024-2025 Program of Studies, beginning on page 70 (quick navigation available through the table of contents).

Specialty Centers - page 70

Secondary Program Pathways - page 85

Regional Schools - page 102

No, the lottery application system and Secondary Program Pathways are only open to rising 9th grade students. 

Students will be selected through a third-party lottery system. The lottery ensures every applicant has an equal opportunity for selection and that each high school is represented at each Specialty Center.

No, students are not required to apply to any of these programs. All Stafford Schools high schools will continue to offer comprehensive educational programs and CTE coursework.

For application questions, contact us at academicprograms@staffordschools.net.

The lottery application system is designed to include parents/guardians in the decision making process. Guardians may set up an account in the online lottery application and work with their child to apply to centers, pathways, and Regional Schools.

You will need your student’s Stafford Schools ID number which can be found in Parent/StudentVUE. You will also need to provide your email, home address, and the student’s date of birth. 

For the first round of placement offers, selected applicants will have until February 21, 2024 to accept the program or pathway your child wishes to attend. If offered a seat in multiple pathways or schools, only one program may be selected through the online lottery application. Instructions for accepting an offer to attend The Commonwealth Governor’s School will be provided in the acceptance letter. After students accept and/or decline the initial offer to attend, additional seats will open and additional offers to attend will be sent with deadlines indicated in the offer communication.

Guardians will be notified via text and/or email on February 5, 2024, based on preferences set in their lottery application account. Notifications are also provided within the guardian’s online lottery application. Notifications for The Commonwealth Governor’s School will be sent via email preferences in ParentVUE.

Lottery systems give each applicant an equal chance at being selected to a Specialty Center or program pathway.

The online lottery application for all Stafford Schools Specialty Centers, Secondary Program Pathways, and ATI UMW and The Commonwealth Governor’s School application are anticipated to open on November 15, 2023 at 6:00 pm and closes on January 5, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

No, students will not be able to enter a new program after enrolling in a different program.*

Students should consult with their counselor if they are considering leaving an enrolled Secondary Program Pathway. The student will be required to return to their zoned high school based on their home address.

*There will be some circumstances when late enrollment is permitted. 

Students will be required to transfer to the high school that houses the Specialty Center or program pathway. Stafford Schools will provide daily transportation to and from the student’s home to their Specialty Center, Regional School or program school. For programs with multiple locations, students will be assigned a school location based on residence location (not necessarily based on their zoned high school).

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.

For programs offered at multiple high schools, students will be assigned to the high school based on their location of residence.

Each student will attend the school at which their program is housed. Students not enrolled in a Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway will attend their home zoned school.

Yes, students will be required to return to their home-zoned school if they leave the Specialty Center or Secondary Program Pathway. The student’s return date will depend upon the date of withdrawal from the program and after consideration of scheduling options and course availability.

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 choosing to transfer back to their home-zoned school or another high school that does not correspond with a family move MAY be subject to eligibility implications per VHSL policy - 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

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 2024-2025 school year.

Stafford Schools will provide daily transportation to and from the student’s home to their Specialty Center, Regional School or program school.