Cyber4+ Cybersecurity Program

In June of 2021, Stafford County Public Schools received funding from the Virginia Department of Education through the CTE High School Innovation grant to launch the Cyber 4+ program. Cyber 4+ is Cybersecurity Dual Enrollment, Career and Technical Education program allowing high school students to receive four Cybersecurity certifications (CompTIA) and an Associate’s degree upon graduation, at no cost to the students or their families. Cyber 4+ is designed to meet a critical talent shortage in the cybersecurity field while providing meaningful learning opportunities leading to gainful employment for Stafford Schools students. Stafford County Public School’s Cyber 4+ pathway was created in partnership with Germanna Community College, GCubed Inc. , and Stafford County Office of Economic Development and Tourism.

The Innovation Founding Partners

Cyber4+ In Depth

Stafford Schools begins recruiting potential Cyber 4+ students in the 8th grade. Students submit an application to the program and are selected by a committee. Once selected, students are notified of their acceptance into the program. Students who are not accepted are still encouraged to access the courses in the pathway. Once accepted into the program, students participate in a summer orientation where they learn about the program and begin preparing for their success. From that point students will follow the following course progression.

In addition to these courses, students will also experience regular mentoring and tutoring from cybersecurity professionals as well as externships, bootcamps, and internships.

Highlights

Keys to Success

The success of Cyber 4+ is dependent upon the following key elements:

Students’ desire to engage the opportunity. Stafford Schools must ensure students have the exposure to Cybersecurity in primary grades as well as access to opportunities to explore the field. Stafford Schools must also ensure that communication regarding the Cyber 4+ program successfully reaches middle school students and their parents.
Stafford Schools infrastructure for the program. Stafford Schools and its partners must develop an infrastructure to support this opportunity to include teaching faculty, program staff and an advisory committee.
Cross Sector Partner Engagement. Stafford Schools must engage partners across multiple sectors to sustain and scale the opportunity.
Continuous Improvement. Stafford Schools must commit to a Continuous Improvement cycle that includes feedback loops with students, parents, practitioners, faculty, partners and funders.
Evolution. The Cyber Security Field is ever evolving. Stafford Schools must be able to adapt at the speed of business and innovation to ensure the investment matches the opportunity at the end of the 5 year pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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).

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?

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?

In This Section

Cyber4+ Cybersecurity Program

The Innovation Founding Partners

Cyber4+ In Depth

Highlights

Keys to Success

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What are the facts around VHSL eligibility and transfer policies?

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

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

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

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?

Will families have a choice which school they attend?

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

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

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

How do students register for dual enrollment classes through Germanna?

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?

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

Links & Resources