- Norfolk Public Schools
- Specialty Programs
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Students of every academic interest can explore a universe of learning opportunities with Norfolk Public Schools! These rigorous, challenging programs in all five high schools and in six middle schools appeal to every interest. The application period typically begins in December for enrollment the following school year, with acceptance letters mailed in the spring.
Interested students and their families can learn more at the annual Specialty Programs Showcase, which features displays and demonstrations from each program along with an opportunity to interact with current students and staff. Additionally, each of the host schools conducts an open house event. Watch this page and the division’s communications channels including emails, calls, texts and social media for more information.
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Important Dates
Showcase Night
October 17, 2024Application Window OpensOctober 18, 2024Open House Dates
Open House Dates for High School Programs:- Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (Booker T. Washington High School) November 18, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Academy of Leadership and Military Science (Lake Taylor High School) November 26, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Granby High School) November 21, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Leadership Center for the Sciences and Engineering (Norview High School) November 14, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
- Medical and Health Specialties (Maury High School) November 25, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Open House Dates for Middle School Programs:
- Compass Academy at Ruffner November 7, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Academy of International Studies (Academy of International Studies at Rosemont) November 4, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (Academy for Discovery at Lakewood) November 19, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Pre-Medical, Health, and Engineering (Blair Middle School) November 12, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- STEM Academy (Southside STEM Academy at Campostella) November 20, 2024, 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM
- Young Scholars (Academy of International Studies at Rosemont) November 4, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Ghent School October 30, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Open House Dates for Elementary School Programs:
- Compass Academy at Ruffner November 7, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Ghent School October 30, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- International Baccalaureate Programme (Academy for Discovery at Lakewood) November 19, 2024, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Applications Close
December 13, 2024
MidnightInterviews, Auditions,Testing
January 11, 2025 – January 17,2025
TBD by School
Individual SchoolsLottery: Academy for Discovery at Lakewood and Ghent
January 24, 2025
9:00 AM
OnlineStudents Notified of Acceptance by Schools and Waitlist by Schools
February 28, 2025Deadline for Students to Make Decision to Attend Program
March 14, 2025
11:59 PM (by email)
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Applications and Instructions
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High School Programs
Each of Norfolk Public Schools’ five high schools offers world class, rigorous specialty programs designed to develop and inspire students academically and personally. Students may choose from the visual and performing arts, leadership and military science, International Baccalaureate, Sciences and Engineering, and medical and health. The programs cultivate problem solving and critical thinking, provide college, career, and leadership preparation, and internships or high-quality on-site learning opportunities with community partners.
For more information about each program, explore the information on this page or contact the program coordinators at each school.
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Academy of the Arts and S.T.E.M. at Booker T. Washington High School
About the program
The Academy of the Arts and S.T.E.A.M. Program is designed to provide students with in-depth exposure to the arts (dance, art, vocal, theatre arts, instrumental and multimedia) through a rigorous, challenging curriculum that will meet the academic, leadership and artistic needs of high school students. Program students are provided opportunities to develop their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills through an intensive interdisciplinary program of study.
For more information, please visit Booker T. Washington's Specialty Programs webpage.
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Granby High School
About the program
Granby High School’s International Baccalaureate Programme has been authorized since 1997. This program is a two-year “academically challenging and balanced program” intended for juniors and seniors who desire in-depth scholastic preparation for college or university. “It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical well-being of students. The program has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.” (IBO) Students apply for our preparation program as rising 9th graders. Granby accepts 60 9th graders each year.
For more information, please visit Granby High School's Specialty Programs webpage.
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The Academy of Leadership and Military Science at Lake Taylor High School
About the program
The Academy of Leadership and Military Science is a collaborative venture between Norfolk Public Schools and a number of community, private sector, government, higher education, and military agencies. The small learning community of the Academy includes cluster scheduling of all core, foreign language, naval science and leadership classes, as well as year-round internships with community partners.
For more information, please visit Lake Taylor's Specialty Programs webpage.
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The Medical and Health Specialties Program at Maury High School
About the program
The Medical and Health Specialties Program at Maury High School is a unique program offering opportunities to highly motivated high school students seriously considering a career in the dramatically expanding fields of medicine and healthcare. Classes are offered on the campuses of Maury High School and Eastern Virginia Medical School and other community sites as program needs dictate.
For more information, please visit Maury's Specialty Programs webpage.
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The Leadership Center for the Sciences and Engineering at Norview High School
About the program
The Leadership Center for the Sciences and Engineering (LCSE) is a special learning community within Norview High School, geared for high-achieving students participating in a four-year, rigorous curriculum consisting of honors and Advanced Placement courses, with considerable emphasis on math and science. The program culminates with participation in the innovative AP Capstone® Program, during which students complete a senior research project. This experience provides the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills valued by colleges and future employers. In addition, LCSE students receive two years of formal instruction and training in leadership development and contribute to their school and community through extracurricular involvement and volunteer work. The overall design of the LCSE program guides students toward possible college degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and/or math. However, the ultimate goal is to not only graduate students fully prepared to be successful in college, but also to equip them with the skills necessary to become effective leaders within our communities.
For more information, please visit Norview's Specialty Programs webpage.
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Middle School Programs
Norfolk Public Schools offers six compelling, unique middle school specialty programs.
Students can explore world languages and world cultures or military science, develop learning preferences and learn to take risks, feed a passion for a future career in the medical and healthcare fields, participate in hands-on, problem-based learning opportunities, develop critical thinking skills and positive habits of mind, or prepare for any of our high school specialty programs with a focus on career and college pathways in engineering and sciences, fine and performing arts, technology and service and leadership.
These middle school programs provide extraordinary learning opportunities for students from around the division. Entry is application-based and requires completion of application components, including a written essay for rising middle school students.
The Young Scholars Program at the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont requires that applicants be identified as gifted in General Intellectual Aptitude or Specific Academic Aptitude for Math, Communication Skills, or both.
For more information about each program, explore the information on this page or contact the program coordinators at each school.
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International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
About the program
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood is a fully authorized International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) school and offers students the opportunity to develop their potential to explore their own learning preferences, to take appropriate risks, and to reflect upon and develop a strong sense of personal identity. The MYP is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The rigorous approach prepares students for success in high school.
For more information, please visit the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood's Specialty Programs webpage.
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Pre-Medical, Health, and Engineering at Blair Middle School
About the program
Blair Middle School believes all students deserve the opportunity to perform to their greatest strengths. It is the goal of the Pre-Med, Health, and Engineering Program to provide students with a learning environment that is challenging, engaging, and interesting. Our unique specialty program is designed for students with a passion for a future career in the medical, healthcare and engineering fields.
For more information, please visit Blair's Specialty Programs webpage.
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Southside STEM Academy at Campostella
About the program
This program offers a diverse learning environment that encourages student exploration and success, preparing students for future learning opportunities and eventual meaningful careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).Students participate in Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a nationally recognized program that emphasizes engaging, hands-on, problem-based learning opportunities designed to inspire and empower students. SSAC offers students the unique opportunity to engage in individualized learning experiences tailored to their unique needs while developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an academically rigorous and supportive environment.
For more information, please visit Southside STEM Academy Specialty Program's website.
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Young Scholars at Rosemont
About the program
Young Scholars is a program for highly motivated learners identified as gifted in General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) or in a Specific Academic Aptitude (SAA- Math, English, or both). This "school-within-a school" is housed at Rosemont Academy.
Teachers trained in gifted pedagogy provide research-based instruction that is challenging, differentiated, and supportive to the development of critical thinking skills and positive habits of mind. The Young Scholars program affords gifted learners an opportunity to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills to sustain lifelong learning.
For more information, please visit the Young Scholars at Rosmeont Specialty Programs website.
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Academy of International Studies at Rosemont
About the program
The Academy of International Studies at Rosemont is based on a thematic approach with a focus on world languages, world cultures, and military science (Navy League Cadets Program). Students can choose one of the following program options as a focus area: World Languages or Military Science. The school is designed to meet the academic challenges of a rigorous course of study where students build a global knowledge base and an understanding of world cultures.
For more information, please visit the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont Specialty Programs website.
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Compass Academy at Ruffner
About the program
Ruffner School will feature a city-wide choice program for grades 3-8 with a focus on career and college exploration and pathways, with academic communities that offer rigorous instruction in engineering and sciences, fine and performing arts, technology, and service and leadership.
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Elementary School Programs
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Academy For Discovery At Lakewood 3rd Grade
About the program
ADL is a city-wide 3rd through 8th grade school. Our program challenges students through rigorous, problem-based learning coursework, teaching our students skills to be successful in learning and life. PBL will be embedded in instruction for all grades, 3rd through 5th. Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge.The teaching and learning that takes place in grades 3rd through fifth, helps to prepare students for ADL’s IB MYP Specialty Program in grades six through eight.
For more information, please visit the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood's webpage.
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Ghent School
About the program
Ghent K-8 School is an open classroom, choice school located in Norfolk’s historic Ghent neighborhood. At Ghent, we believe that the true measure of a school is not in its building or resources but in the strength and effectiveness of the people who make up the school community. Our focus is to develop students who are highly motivated, mature and self-confident; who possess well-developed personal and social skills and demonstrate excellent learning behaviors. We encourage students to be effective at working independently and in teams, always showing support and concern for others.
For more information, please visit the Ghent School webpage.
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Questions? Please call the Specialty Programs office at (757) 628-3989