The Regional Academy is an exceptional opportunity that allows high school and home school students to explore post-secondary specialized programs of study in high demand career fields.
Students must initially meet with the Dual Enrollment Coordinator and discuss a pathway of courses. Subsequently the student will meet with their program advisor to schedule classes for each semester.
Courses for individual pathways can be taken at any time but transportation from the high school can be taken from 8 – 11 AM on the VWCC campus to complete course work that meets the foundational requirements for degree programs, often while completing a VWCC Career Studies Certificate or industry credentialing examinations.
Eligibility
- Students should be a high school or home school aged junior or senior
- Students must have a 3.0 HS GPA
- Students must have completed Algebra I with a “C” or higher
Tuition Support
Some programs in the Regional Academy and qualified programs of study offered through the college may be eligible for tuition funding through the Blue Ridge Partnership.
How to Apply
Step 1:
Click Here to apply to Virginia Western Community College.
If you have previously applied to or taken any dual enrollment courses with Virginia Western and already have an EMPLID# (Virginia Western ID number), please proceed to Step 2.
Step 2:
Complete the required Academy Forms:
- Parent/Guardian and Student Commitment Form (All signatures must be signed on the form) (PDF)
- Dual Enrollment- HB1184 Declaration of Intent Form (PDF)
- A copy of your unofficial high school or home school transcript
- Under 18 Parent Signature Form (PDF)
- Information Release Form (FERPA) (PDF)
All Regional Academy forms can be scanned and emailed to regionalacademy@virginiawestern.edu.
Step 3:
Students enrolled into the Regional Academy will be responsible for completing the Enrollment Approval Form and obtaining High School/Homeschool approval signature prior to each semester.
Reminders
- Academy tuition must be paid at the time of course registration or no later than August 1st for the Fall semester and December 1st for the Spring semester. Click here for ways to pay tuition and fees. Students can also contact our Cashier’s Office, (540) 857- 6312, for more information regarding tuition payment.
- Students will follow the Virginia Western Academic Calendar which may be different than the high school calendar. Please refer to that for information regarding course start dates, course drops, withdrawal and refunds.
- Students must have access to a computer that meets the computer access requirements required by the college. For more information, please review the requirements here. MOST COMPUTERS ISSUED BY THE HIGH SCHOOLS WILL NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.
Student/Parent Information
How much is tuition for the Academy?
The cost varies based on the number of credits offered in each Academy each semester. That information is found on the Enrollment Request Form for each Academy. For the most recent Tuition information, check here. Please note that the college has “drops” for non-payment. If your student is dropped from a class for that reason, it is up to the student to notify the dual enrollment office so that they can be re-enrolled. If the class has a “waiting list” and your student is dropped for non-payment, they could lose their spot in the class to another student and not be able to re-enroll.
Is financial aid available for Dual Enrollment students?
No. College-based financial aid is not available for high school students. However, our health related academies may be eligible for tuition assistance through a state appropriation. Please see Tuition Assistance for more details.
Are textbooks provided?
No, textbooks, electronic devices, personal computers and other resources needed for courses are the responsibility of the student. To find information about textbooks needed for the course, visit the Virginia Western Bookstore or click the Textbook link at the top of the student schedule in SIS. Students may choose to purchase books from other vendors, but they do need to be the correct edition, title and ISBN number. The Brown Library may have a limited number of textbooks available to check out on a “first come first serve” basis. Please refer to the course syllabus for a complete list of textbooks, supplies or other resources needed.
Where can I find the course syllabus?
Course Syllabi are posted in the student’s Canvas account. We encourage parents to ask their students for copies of the course syllabus at the start of each semester. The syllabus has information about the instructor’s office hours, attendance and grading policies and other vital information to be successful in the course. Class information is available in Canvas beginning on the first day of the semester.
Do the credits earned transfer to other colleges?
As with any course offered at VWCC, it is up to the receiving college to determine what will transfer and what GPA is required for the course to transfer. We recommend checking the transfer guides at the college or university the student aspires to attend, or to refer to Transfer Virginia.
What is the primary focus of the Regional Academy?
The primary focus of The Regional Academy is exposure and preparation. We want our students to have a real sense of what these professions encompass and to walk out of our program more than ready for what they will encounter in an undergraduate program or in the career field. One way of doing that is to make sure that our students interact with professionals on a daily basis. In addition to engineering and healthcare skill sets, the program focuses on developing other essential skills such as teamwork, collaboration, leadership, and communication skills.
The Regional Academy offers:
- challenging academics
- open-ended problems
- project based learning
- state-of-the-art labs and equipment
- college level content
- industry-standard software
What are the Mission and Philosophy of the Regional Academy?
Mission – The Regional Academy is a distinctive program of study where faculty help bridge the gap for high school students to excel in undergraduate programs and in related careers. Our mission is to provide an integrated curriculum focusing on the theoretical and applied mathematics, sciences, and technology for students seeking Academy to work opportunities in the trades or health services pathways or seeking transfer opportunities in STEM for higher education.
Philosophy – The Regional Academy provides students an environment that is advantageous to learning and exploration. The academy aims to engage students with an educational experience that is fun, challenging and focused on science, technology, engineering, math and health sciences. We strive to make learning the highlight of each student’s day and to show them how the coursework provides a framework for studying Math and Science.