Henrico County Public Schools offer a variety of non-traditional programs to meet the needs of all students. The following programs provide students with choices in their educational program to be prepared for life in the 21st century.
The Empowerment Academy
Location: New Bridge Learning Center
Contact: Beverly G. Lewis
The Empowerment Academy serves students in grades K-5 who exhibit serious behavioral problems that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom setting. Students are placed by the Disciplinary Review Hearing Officer or recommended by the Administrative Coordinator for Nontraditional Programs. Students receive extensive academic and behavior management support in a small structured environment for nine weeks. Before students return to the home school, a Transition Plan is sent to the school that addresses the strategies implemented and found to be successful in altering behaviors and bringing about desired results. Teachers from this program make routine visits to the home school to support students and monitor progress.
New Beginnings
Location: New Bridge Learning Center
Contact: Beverly G. Lewis
Elementary students dealing with situational traumas or stressors, transitional difficulties, and those that need additional emotional or educational support can participate in our New Beginnings Program. This program incorporates academics and character education in a warm and nurturing environment. Students learn strategies to help them manage their own feelings and control their own behavior. A referral from the principal or school team is necessary for participation in this program. Students return to the home school in two to four weeks with program support.
Elementary Suspension Intervention Program (ESIP)
Location: New Bridge Learning Center
Contact: Beverly G. Lewis
The Elementary Suspension Intervention Program (ESIP) serves as an alternative to out-of-school suspension for grades K-5. The program offers a highly structured classroom environment that allows the student to complete missed work for three to ten days. Students develop skills to assist them in making safe and healthy choices. A referral from the principal or school team is necessary for program participation.
Elementary Behavior Intervention Teachers at Identified Schools
Location: Adams, Highland Springs, Laburnum, Montrose, Ashe, New Bridge
Contact: Beverly G. Lewis
Intervention teachers are placed at several elementary schools to support students experiencing difficulty with behavior. They serve as a mentor and coach to students meeting with them weekly. Intervention teachers support the total school program.
Program for Academic and Career Empowerment at Virginia Randolph (PACE)
Location: Virginia Randolph Campus
Contact: Tanika Lawson
PACE is a non-traditional program that serves overage middle school students. The program is designed to remediate students and catch them up to their peer group in high school the following school year. This unique program will provide students with small class sizes, an individualized learning plan, faculty mentorship, and project based learning steeped in collaboration, problem solving, critical thinking, and innovation. Students will also explore a wide variety of careers as they earn up to three high school elective credits.
Seventh and 8th grade students who are one or more years overage are eligible for the program. All overage students will be reviewed and recommended to the program by their comprehensive middle school. Overage students will be placed at PACE with the intent of them returning to the comprehensive high school or the Academy at Virginia Randolph with three to five high school credits the following year.
Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) Program
Location: Mt. Vernon - 7850 Carousel Lane, Henrico 23294
Contact: Gregory Lawson
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Serves eligible students who are at least 16.5 years old.
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Targets students with strong academic skills who have not been successful in a traditional school setting
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Provides two to three days of tutoring per week.
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Provides instruction for the GED (General Educational Development) Certificate.
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Provides career-counseling and occupational skills training through participation in work-based learning and exploration of post-secondary opportunities.
Evening School of Excellence
Location: Highland Springs High School, Virginia Randolph Campus
Contact: Kimberlin Cooke
The Evening School of Excellence serves high school students who have experienced academic difficulties and/or personal challenges, and are at-risk of not graduating on time. Designed to help students get back on track, the program provides an opportunity for students to complete coursework and recover credits needed for graduation through evening classes offered at two sites, Highland Springs High School and the Academy at Virginia Randolph. The instructional program addresses the learning styles of students through smaller classes, more individualized attention, and differentiated teaching strategies. Students are referred through their home school administrator and/or school counselor. Please note there is an additional fee to take Evening School of Excellence courses.
Center for Diversified Studies
Location: Virginia Randolph Campus
Contact: Meg Hopkins
The Center for Diversified Studies located at Virginia Randolph Community High School (VRCHS), provides personalized programs for students who want to complete their high school education and who, for various reasons, are unable to complete the last few courses required for graduation at their home high school. Options for courses range from college level to career and technical certificate classes. This nontraditional, flexible educational structure may lead to one of the diploma options described in Section I. The Center’s ultimate goal is to coordinate classes for students in order to help them obtain required credits for graduation. Students accepted in the Center will be officially enrolled at the Academy at Virginia Randolph, which will be noted on the transcript. A personalized plan based on each student’s educational and career goals will be implemented to identify where the student will be taking classes.
The Academy at Virginia Randolph
Location: Virginia Randolph Campus
Contact: Tanika Lawson
The Academy at Virginia Randolph is open to all students who want or need an alternate approach to education. The Academy offers opportunities for students to earn a high school diploma, or certificate of program completion. The time required to obtain a high school diploma or a career and technical certificate at the Academy can vary from one-and-a-half to four years.
In a compassionate atmosphere fostered by a competent and concerned staff, students are encouraged to develop their talents and skills. Assisted by school counselors and instructors, students design their own programs of study to meet their needs and to serve as a foundation for their chosen career. The staff works closely with students and their families to pursue the students’ educational and occupational career goals. School, family, and community involvement are all elements of the program. Students interested in enrolling at the Academy must complete an application signed by a parent and have school counselors supply the required student information. Once the application has been received, applicants will be notified of a required student and parent information session. Additionally, the prospective student and a parent must meet with the vocational instructor to develop a career plan. Acceptance to the Academy is based on space availability.
Generating Recovery of Academic Direction (GRAD) Center and Performance Learning Center
Location: 2915 Williamsburg Road, Henrico, VA 23231
Conntact: Christie Forrest
The GRAD center offers students a fresh opportunity to work in a small group setting to develop the skills and curriculum knowledge necessary to be successful. A blended instructional model allows high school students in the performance learning center to accelerate through coursework in a non-traditional setting to earn a high school diploma.
High School Online Credit Recovery
Location: All Comprehensive High Schools
Contact: Kimberlin Cooke
High school students who are behind in credits or those who need an alternative option within the comprehensive school will be given an opportunity to take courses online. Online courses are monitored by a licensed teacher and are taken along with regularly scheduled classes at the comprehensive school. Online courses can often be accelerated because the instruction and assignments are accessible to students 24/7.
Middle School Behavior Intervention at Identified Schools
Location: Brookland, Fairfield, Rolfe, Wilder Middle Schools
Contact: Kimberlin Cooke
Middle school students who have ongoing disciplinary concerns at identified middle schools will be provided with a behavior, intervention teacher. The teacher will serve as a mentor and coach to the student on a daily basis to help assure student success. Students will be placed in the program to provide additional, one-on-one support to help students succeed socially and academically in the comprehensive middle school.
