Virginia’s first “lab school” approved unanimously

The Virginia Board of Education today approved the Commonwealth’s first lab school. Since announcing his run for office, Governor Youngkin has made lab schools a top priority in his legislative agenda and called on the General Assembly to allocate funding for new lab schools. After securing $100 million for this initiative, today’s unanimous vote further delivers on the promises made.

The inaugural lab school, the VCU x CodeRVA Lab School, is a joint venture between the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Center for Teacher Leadership at the VCU School of Education RTR Teacher Residency program and the CodeRVA Regional High School. The VCU x CodeRVA Lab School will provide an innovative computer-science focused comprehensive high school education to a diverse student body, will serve as a training site for teacher residents, and will afford professional learning opportunities for educators across the state.

“Lab schools are a critical part of restoring excellence in the Commonwealth’s education system,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “During the first month of my administration, we launched a partnership between colleges and universities to establish K-12 lab schools across the Commonwealth and I’m pleased were delivering on that promise today. This is the first step in giving parents new options for their kids to learn in innovative and creative ways and break the status quo of a one-size-fits all education.”

“Today’s vote to approve the Commonwealth’s first lab school is a win for students, teachers, and parents,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “Lab schools like this one will support student’s academic achievement and make learning more relevant and connected to the world outside the classroom. In this innovative model, not only will students benefit from high-quality computer science education, but the next generation of teachers will learn how to be best in class instructors.”