PWCS HS Specialty Program Overview
All you need to know about Specialty Programs
What is a specialty program?
Specialty programs focus on career exploration, subject area concentration, and college/university preparation. PWCS provides excellent opportunities for students in elementary, middle, and high school.
Who is eligible? Any student who lives within Prince William County may apply to a specialty program. All PWCS specialty programs are geographically zoned. Students may submit applications for up to 3 programs.
What is the difference? Transfer or Transport?
A transfer program means that that your student would attend the school they applied to full time for all four years.
A transport program means that your student would attend the school they applied to for only three class periods and would attend the remainder at their zoned school.
Apply, Apply, Apply!
Applications are a requirement for ALL specialty programs. Students apply via the online application starting November 1st. The online application is available on the PWCS Specialty Program Website.
Application Deadlines:
Thomas Jefferson: Applications open October 23 at 4pm. Last day to begin an application is November 15th. All applications are due November 17th by 4pm.
Colgan HS (Center of Fine and Performing Arts): Applications are due by December 14th, with auditions to follow in January.
ALL OTHER PROGRAMS: Application Deadline February 1st.
So What School Does What?
Agriculture
Agriculture students engage in a hands-on curriculum designed to develop the necessary knowledge, skills, habits and attitudes for entry level employment and advancement in areas such as greenhouse and nursery production, landscape design and turf management.
Students also receive instruction in leadership development and are provided many opportunities for leadership through FFA, the Career and Technical Education student organization for Agriculture
Program Location
Brentsville District High School
Automotive Technology
Automotive Technology is a National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) accredited program of study is taught by an ASE certified auto technician that prepares graduates for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams. Students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attributes for success as an entry-level employee in the automotive technology field or as they pursue higher education
Program Locations
Osbourn Park High School
Open to students from Battlefield, Brentsville District, Colgan, Gainesville, Patriot, or Unity Reed High Schools
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Aviation Maintenance Technology students work with airframe and control surfaces, power plants, basic aviation electricity while they learn to perform ground operations and servicing procedures as specified by
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. Students also practice lab and tool safety, apply science and mathematics principles to aviation maintenance tasks, and research and use maintenance
publications, forms, and records.
Program Locations
Unity Reed High School
Biomedical Science
The rigorous and relevant Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of
human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health.
Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human
body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health
challenges of today and the future.
Program Locations
Gainesville High School
Science, Health, and Medicine Pathway
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Osbourn Park High School
Building Trades
Building Trades introduces students to skills in the four core areas of residential construction: masonry, carpentry, electricity, and plumbing.
Students emphasize safety by earning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10 card as they build or repair residential structures using a variety of materials and tools. Students also learn current residential building codes associated with each trade.
Program Location
Patriot High School
Electricity
Electricity students learn marketable, job-specific skills and workplace readiness skills. Students develop skills in the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems. They also study electrical theory, navigate the National Electrical Code Book, select and install conductors, and work with panelboards, switchboards, and generators. Students have the option to enter the job market directly or continue their studies via a college program, technical school or apprenticeship program. Students completing the four-year electrical sequence have the opportunity to earn an industry credential.
Program Location
Unity Reed High School
The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
The Center for the Fine and Performing Arts offers students the opportunity to develop creativity, self-expression, academic achievement, and critical thinking as young artists.
Students can study in one of several concentration areas including dance, instrumental music, vocal music, music technology, theater, creative writing, and visual arts. To participate in the program, students must complete an audition and/or present a portfolio.
Program Location
Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
The Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive and Information Technology (CASIIT)
The Center for Applied Sciences, Interactive and Information Technology (CASIIT) at Battlefield High School offers students the opportunity to choose from three focus areas: Applied Science, Interactive Technologies, and Information Technology.
Within each area students then have the freedom to specialize their learning to a more personal level. The ever-changing and interactive nature of the technology workplace will also require students to demonstrate highly developed social and technical intelligence.
Program Location
Battlefield High School
Pathways to Global Citizenship
The purpose of the Pathways to Global Citizenship program is to encourage students to identify and engage with topics of global significance while developing and refining skills in performance, research, critical thinking, evaluation and synthesis of ideas.
Students will study four courses within their concentration to complete pathway. Pathways associated with a normal graduation sequence in Mathematics, World Language and Culture, History and Political Science, and Science require candidates to complete six courses within their concentration with at least two at the Advanced Placement level.
Program Location
Gainesville High School
The Cambridge Programme
The Cambridge Programme offers an innovative international pre-university curriculum and examination system that can be tailored to students’
interests and abilities. Courses are based on an investigative approach to learning with students using initiative and creativity in problem solving. Students taking advanced level courses can qualify for an
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) diploma.
Program Locations
Brentsville District High School
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes offer students rigorous academic programs focused on international-mindedness and global connections.
Participation in the programs range from students earning individual certificates in subjects of strength and interest to the full IB Diploma or the Career-Related certificate.
Program Locations
Unity Reed High School
Cosmetology
Cosmetology students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the Virginia Board of Registered Professional Hairdressers examination for licensing. Graduates are expected to take the state examination. Students who complete this program successfully and
pass their licensure examinations have the skills and knowledge needed for the following entry-level jobs: manicurist, salon receptionist, shampoo technician, and licensed cosmetologist. This two-year program of study begins in eleventh grade.
Program Locations
Unity Reed High School
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts prepares students to practice the managerial, production, and service skills used in food establishments and related food industry occupations. Throughout the program, students can plan, select, store, purchase, prepare and serve food and food products; study basic nutrition, sanitation, and food safety; learn the use and care of commercial equipment; and practice the operation of institutional food establishments.
Students also have an opportunity to practice serving and dining room management including real-world experiences working cooperatively with various food
establishments in the community and local business owners. This two-year program of study begins in eleventh grade
Program Locations
Patriot High School
Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Center is located at Osbourn Park High School. The program offers students a challenging and enriched science curriculum with a strong emphasis on biotechnology, medical sciences, and interrelationships among scientific disciplines.
During freshman and sophomore years, Biotech Center students participate in integrated language arts and social studies courses that extend the program. The
program stresses problem solving and hands-on learning as well as science literacy. Students also participate in community service and extracurricular science enrichment activities.
Program Location
Osbourn Park High School
AP Scholars
The AP Scholars program is aligned with the Advanced Placement Program from The College Board. The program provides students with instruction in pre-college and college level courses. Courses will provide students with a collegial learning environment and rigorous academic focus with emphasis on content knowledge, critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills, as well as disciplined study habits. Students will be prepared for success on AP exams.
Special activities such as college nights, informational forums and content related activities will be offered. Students will complete a research project in the senior year in an area of academic concentration such as English, mathematics, science, or history and
social sciences.
To participate in the program, students must enroll in two or more pre-AP or AP courses each year. Students are required to complete at least five AP courses before graduation, complete 60 hours of community service, and a senior research project.
Program Location
Patriot High School
Firefighting
Firefighting students practice discipline and attention to academic and professional standards to successfully fight live fires, address hazardous-materials (HAZMAT) incidents, and conduct search-and-rescue operations. Students become familiar with the procedures, equipment, and technologies used by fire departments. This course challenges students academically, mentally, and physically, and meets the standards of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001-2013 leading to the opportunity to obtain a Firefighter I certification.
Program Locations
Osbourn Park High School
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Unity Reed High School
Practical Nursing
The Practical Nursing program is an 18-month transport program beginning in the senior year that prepares students at the pre-professional level for service disciplines related to medicine, nursing, and allied health careers.
Courses are available to all students and taught at Osbourn Park High School, local hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Students take Practical Nursing I and II as seniors and complete the program with Practical Nursing III after graduation.
Tuition is charged for Practical Nursing III.
All Health and Medical Science courses will count toward meeting the one credit practical arts requirement for graduation except Practical Nursing III.
Program Location
Osbourn Park High School
Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics(STEM) initiative. The instructional design of the program integrates strands in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering with mathematics, technology, and with laboratory research.
Students must have completed algebra II/trigonometry and both biology and chemistry by the end of the tenth grade in order to apply.
In addition to meetings at The Governor’s School itself, information meetings will be held in each school. Rising juniors are eligible to apply for the program.
Contact Info
Dr. Jason Calhoun
Director The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park Science and Technology
Campus of George Mason University
10900 University Boulevard, Manassas, VA 20110-2203 703-993-7027