PGCPS High School Specialty Programs

[Anonymous]

Hello, my child is a rising 8th grader and we will be applying for specialty programs this year for the 2024-25 school year.

Is there an information session on specialty programs? Do applicants get an opportunity to visit the school prior to their application? There seems to be very little information about any of these programs online.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I think this really depends on the school.
I would reach out to the Program Coordinator for the program you are interested in.

Parkdale IB did not have anything planned but I was able to set up a visit by emailing the IB Coordinator.
Northwestern’s VPA had an open house that they scheduled in the fall.

The county does offer several information sessions with each program sending a rep in the fall.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this to ask ppl if they have any experience with the DuVal AEAT program. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

No first hand experience but my friend’s son is there and they are happy with the program.
I think that he actually tested into ERHS for his sophomore year but chose to stay at Duvall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this really depends on the school.
I would reach out to the Program Coordinator for the program you are interested in.

Parkdale IB did not have anything planned but I was able to set up a visit by emailing the IB Coordinator.
Northwestern’s VPA had an open house that they scheduled in the fall.

The county does offer several information sessions with each program sending a rep in the fall.

Where do you find information about these sessions?

[Anonymous]

https://www.pgcps.org/about-pgcps/applications/showcase

[Anonymous]

It may be helpful if you state which specialty program your child is interested in. They vary greatly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It may be helpful if you state which specialty program your child is interested in. They vary greatly.

Science and Tech, Visual Arts, and IB.

[Anonymous]

This outlines the portfolio and audition process for VPA.
https://sites.google.com/pgcps.org/pgcps-cvpacpa-application-site/auditions/hs-vpa-visual-arts?authuser=0

Northwestern's Open house was last November. I looked but didn't see anything posted yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No first hand experience but my friend’s son is there and they are happy with the program.
I think that he actually tested into ERHS for his sophomore year but chose to stay at Duvall.

Same here! We chose Duvall Aerospace & Aviation Program than ERHS (I can only speak for the AEAT program not the regular program) The class size in ERHS is really big even for the Science and Technology progrom.