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 current high school students such as automotive technology, barbering and cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, emergency medical technician, and teachers for tomorrow. For a full list of Secondary Program Pathways, please see the Program of Studies.

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 a complete listing of secondary offerings, please see the Program of Studies.

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 and Information Technology 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

Students will be required to transfer to the high school that houses the Specialty Center or four-year 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).

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 about Specialty Centers, Secondary Program Pathways and Regional Schools, please see the Program of Studies.

Yes, there are several Secondary Program Pathways open to current high school students such as automotive technology, barbering and cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, emergency medical technician, and teachers for tomorrow. For a full list of Secondary Program Pathways, please see the Program of Studies.

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 about Specialty Centers, Secondary Program Pathways and Regional Schools, please see the Program of Studies.

Yes, there are many Secondary Program Pathways available to current high school students.

For Specialty Centers and most Secondary Program Pathways, students will be selected through a third-party lottery system. The lottery ensures every applicant has an equal opportunity for selection. CGS and Firefighting have additional requirements and those students will be selected based on the established criteria for those programs. Families are notified via email and/or text message based on their registration information in the application system.

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.

Guardians must first create an account using their email address and phone number. You will also need your student’s 10-digit student identification number and date of birth. Home-school and private-school students just need their student’s name, address and date of birth. 

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

The application system is designed to include parents/guardians in the decision making process. Guardians may set up an account in the online 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 7 days, until February 24, 2025, 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 application system. 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 17, 2025, based on preferences set in their application account. Notifications are also provided within the guardian’s online application. 

The online application for all Stafford Schools Specialty Centers, Secondary Program Pathways, and The Commonwealth Governor’s School will open on December 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm and closes on January 24, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Application systems using lottery selections  give each applicant an equal chance at being selected to a Specialty Center or program pathway.

The online application system for all Stafford Schools Specialty Centers, Secondary Program Pathways, and The Commonwealth Governor’s School will open on December 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm and close on January 24, 2025 at 11:59 pm. The online application for ATI UMW will also open on December 3, 2024 and close on January 24, 2025.

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 in grades 9 and 10 will be required to transfer to the high school that houses the Specialty Center or program pathway. Students in grades 11 and 12 starting a new program will choose to either transfer or travel. For programs with multiple locations, students will be assigned a school location based on residence location. Transportation decisions will be finalized by the school board prior to notification of selection to programs on February 17, 2025.

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 and program seat availability.

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 withdrawing from a program or pathway for any reason will be transferred back to their zoned school as soon as logistically possible, after consideration of scheduling options and course availability. Transfers typically occur at the end of grading periods.

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 that withdraw from a program or pathway and are required to transfer back to their zoned school will not be eligible for sports at their zoned school until the following year. All students are subject to VHSL policies

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

Transportation decisions will be finalized by the school board prior to notification of selection to programs on February 17, 2025.