The Early College Program is a competitive admissions program composed of a cohort of qualified high school rising juniors who are enrolled in a two-year associate degree program at Central Virginia Community College (CVCC).

https://centralvirginia.edu/early-college

Application information

• The Early College application is available on their website.
• Early College Program applications will be open Jan. 1-March 15 annually (students are encouraged to apply early, to give teachers and school counselors time to complete your recommendations).
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by the CVCC selection committee.
• In mid-March, decision letters are mailed and applicants are notified.

Admission Criteria

• Students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in order to apply.
• Students must apply to CVCC—acceptance to the college is not acceptance to the Early College Program. Students need to keep track of their SIS number (student identification number).  The SIS number is received when students submit their application.
• Students must place into English Composition and Pre-Calculus at CVCC.

In-School Presentation

Representatives from Central Virginia Community College will be coming on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. to discuss Early College with rising juniors.

Expenses

• Students and parents are responsible for the tuition. 
• LCS provides textbooks and transportation.  
• LCS provides opportunities for financial assistance. Please see your school counselor for more information on LCS financial assistance opportunities. 

Other Information

• There is a prescribed curriculum that LCS students follow; all students take the same classes.  The Early College Program curriculum can be found in the High School Program of Studies .  
• Typically, students do not return to ECG for classes.  However, students have the option to take afternoon classes at ECG, especially if they have other high school graduation requirements to complete.  
• CVCC has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar and its own policies and procedures, which are independent from LCS.

The CTE Academy is for rising seniors that may be interested in programs such as electrical technology; health sciences; mechatornics; welding; industrial maintenance; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. 

https://centralvirginia.edu/cte-academy

Application information

• If you have interest in the CTE Academy please fill out the CTE Academy Interest Form. The CTE coordinator at CVCC, Mr. Jason Clark, will reach out to you about the specific program you want to pursue.

Admission Criteria

• 12th grade (placed first) then 11th grade
• Pass Algebra 1
  • Health Science Pathways require a "C" in Algebra 2
• 2.0 or above GPA
  • Health Science Pathways require a 3.0 GPA
• Approval of School Counselor/CVCC Career Coach/High School Administration 

In-School Presentation

On Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, from 8-9 a.m., we will have representatives from the Career Technical Education (CTE) Academy. The CTE Academy is for rising seniors.

Other Information

• If you wish to schedule a tour of the CTE Academy, please reach out to your school counselor.

Central Virginia Governor's School for Science & Technology (CVGS) provides opportunities beyond the scope of normal high school curricula to gifted students interested in mathematics, science and technology. CVGS is a half-day program for juniors and seniors housed at Heritage High School.

https://www.cvgs.k12.va.us

Application information

• The CVGS application is available on their website. Under the Admissions tab, you will find all of the documents needed for the application, including application, student record form, teacher recommendation forms (1 math, 1 science and 1 other teacher).
• Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Advanced Geometry/Trigonometry and Advanced Chemistry.
• Applications are due to your school counselor by TBD. (Tuition paying and non-resident students are not eligible to apply.)
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by a LCS selection committee.
• Late March/early April, notifications are mailed to accepted students, those on the waiting list, and those who were not selected.

Admission Criteria

• This is a highly selective program.
• The selection committee considers standardized test scores (PSAT/NMSQT scores), academic achievement, and demonstrated interest in science and mathematics when evaluating and ranking student applications.
• Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Advanced Geometry/Trigonometry and Advanced Chemistry.

In-School Presentation

Representatives from the Central Virginia Governor’s School Program will present to eligible 10th grade students on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2024, from 1-2 p.m.

Information Session for Prospective Students & Parents

CVGS will host Program Overview Nights for prospective students and their parents in January.

Expenses

The tuition for Lynchburg resident students accepted into this program is paid for by LCS.     

Other Information

• Students attend CVGS for the morning session and then report to their base school for classes (specifically English, social studies, and an elective or core course) in the late morning/early afternoon. A travel period is built into students’ schedules. 
• Since CVGS is a regional school, it has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar. The academic year for CVGS starts earlier than the LCS academic year. 

*Students in the 11th grade can apply to CVGS for their senior year, but there is no guarantee that space will be available.

Dual Enrollment programs allow eligible high school students to enroll in college coursework while still in high school. Courses are taught by full or part-time faculty who meet VCCS credentialing requirements.

In-School Presentation

We will host an information session for students interested in Dual Enrollment programs on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 1-2 p.m.

The STEM Academy is a competitive application program for high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering, mechatronics, biotechnology, health science, and cybersecurity. The STEM Academy is a half-day program located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), with CVCC professors, where students take classes in math, science, and their specialty area classes.

http://www.xlr8academy.com

Application information

• The STEM Academy application is available on their website.  Under the Application and Admissions tab, you will find all of the documents needed for the application, including application, school counselor form, teacher recommendation forms (1 math, 1 science and 1 other teacher).
• The deadline for STEM Academy applications is TBD.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are received by the STEM Academy by this date. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. 
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by the STEM Academy selection committee.
• After May 1, notifications are mailed to accepted students, those on the waiting list, and those who were not selected.

Admission Criteria

• Students must apply to CVCC—acceptance to the college is not acceptance to the STEM Academy.  Students need to keep track of their SIS number (student identification number). The SIS number is received when students submit their application.    

In-School Presentation 

Representatives from the STEM Academy will present to interested 10th grade students on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024 from 1-2 p.m.

Information Session for Prospective Students & Parents

The STEM Academy will be holding its annual Information Session for prospective students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Expenses

• The tuition for Lynchburg resident students accepted into this program is paid for by LCS.
• LCS provides textbooks and transportation.

Other Information

• Students attend STEM Academy for the morning session and then report to their base school for afternoon classes (specifically English, Social studies, and an elective or core course) for late morning/early afternoon. A travel period is built into students’ schedules.
• CVCC has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar.
• CVCC has their own policies and procedures, which are independent from LCS.

• Students apply to the Early College Program, Central Virginia Governor’s School (CVGS) and STEM Academy, in their 10th grade year for enrollment in their 11th and 12th grade years.
• Students can apply to all programs, but if accepted can only accept the offer of admission for one program.
• To ensure that any of these programs are conducive to a student’s post-graduation plans, students and families are encouraged to contact the colleges/universities that they might be interested in applying to for their recommendation on the students’ preferred academic program.
• It is important for students to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the application deadline.
• Students attend the STEM Academy and CVGS in the morning and then report to their base school for English, history/social studies and perhaps another course in late morning/early afternoon.
• It is recommended that teacher recommendations are from this year or your 9th grade year.
• According to the College Board, PSAT/NMSQT scores will be available online by Nov. 14, 2024.  Students can sign up for a College Board account here, Create College Board Account.