CodeRVA, a new regional public high school, is scheduled to open for the 2017-2018 school year. The new school is located at 1405 Cummings Drive in Richmond, within five minutes of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School, and has a seven-year lease in a building owned by Michael & Son Services. The school’s design builds on next-generation school models across the nation that rethink the use of time and space, leverage technology to accelerate learning, personalize learning experiences, and redesign curriculum to align with competency-based progressions.
Chesterfield Schools Superintendent, Dr. James Lane, left, with school Superintendents from around the area at the CodeRVA Remodeling unavailing.
Focused on computer science, the school will offer the opportunity to complete high school requirements through a combination of blended (online and face-to-face) learning, integrated coursework, and projectbased learning. CodeRVA students will be provided an opportunity to graduate with a Virginia high school diploma, an associate’s degree from the community college system, industry certifications, and paid internships in computer science related fields.
CodeRVA is being designed to meet three specific goals: “Redesign the high school experience to better meet the needs of today’s students by reducing seat-time requirements and moving toward competency-based course completion;” “Address racial, economic, and gender inequities in STEM-related education;” and “Increase the pool of potential employees in coding and other computer science-related fields for central Virginia.”
The CodeRVA Regional High School will serve 12 partnering school divisions: Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell City, New Kent, Petersburg City, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond City, and Sussex. The location enables participating school divisions to leverage the existing transportation system to Maggie Walker. Initial planning and implementation grants were provided through the Virginia Department of Education’s High School Innovation Grants. Architectural services were provided at no cost to CodeRVA by Ballou, Justice, and Upton Architects. Capital One is providing furniture for the school and a $15,000 grant to assist in initial costs. CarMax has provided a generous $50,000 grant that provides for the school’s independently-operated selection system and initial equipment costs.
“CodeRVA would like to thank its partners and sponsors for the support necessary to provide Richmond area students with an educational experience that will lead educational innovation in central Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and throughout the nation,” Executive Director Michael Bolling said.
Up to 100 rising ninth- and tenth-grade students will be selected for the 2017-18 school year. Up to 100 rising ninth-grade students will be selected each year after. The projected capacity is 400 students. Applications due Feb. 24, 2017. To apply visit Coderva.org – website, Coderva.org/apply – application information and Coderva.org/faq – frequently asked questions. Their Twitter account is @CodeRVA1.
CodeRVA School Board Chair is Dr. Gail Hardinge of New Kent County Public Schools, [email protected]. The CodeRVA Superintendent’s Advisory Board Chair is Dr. James Lane, Superintendent, Chesterfield County Public Schools, [email protected] and the CodeRVA Executive Director is Michael Bolling, [email protected].
