VCU news

By Brian McNeill

Numerous high school students, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao, Ph.D., officially cut the ribbon Wednesday for the recently launched VCU x CodeRVA Lab School, a joint project of the School of Education’s RTR Teacher Residency Program at VCU and CodeRVA Regional High School.

The VCU x CodeRVA Lab School provides an innovative computer science-focused comprehensive high school education to a diverse student body at CodeRVA, serves as a training site for teacher residents and offers professional learning opportunities for educators across the state.

Approved by the Virginia Board of Education in July 2023, VCU x CodeRVA is the first lab school created as part of a new model in which universities and school divisions collaborate to establish public schools that spur innovative programs in K-12 education; provide opportunities for innovation in instruction and assessment; provide teachers with an avenue for delivering innovative instruction and school scheduling, management and structure; and other objectives.

“Today, we celebrate the launch of the VCU x CodeRVA Lab School,” Youngkin said in a news release. “Through Virginia’s first lab school, we are unleashing opportunities and giving parents new options for their kids to learn in innovative and creative ways. We can break the status quo of a one-size-fits-all education and provide every student in the commonwealth access to an extraordinary education.”  

The VCU x CodeRVA Lab School is one of more than 20 lab school concepts in the works across Virginia, designed by partnerships of school divisions and institutions of higher education to meet the needs of students in their areas. In November, two additional lab schools were approved: Germanna Community College’s Future Educators Academy and the University of Mary Washington’s Academy of Technology and Innovation.

“This is how we ignite the lamp of aspiration,” Youngkin said.

Rao said VCU was interested in pursuing the lab school concept because it addresses Virginia’s innovation and workforce needs, and it helps make STEM education more accessible to students from every background.

“We saw the opportunity to work together to solve important growing workforce needs for our city, for our state and, frankly, for our country,” Rao said.

Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera said the VCU x CodeRVA Lab School represents a chance for taking “two proven models that are changing education and putting them together.”

“VCU x CodeRVA is a testament to the power of partnership and innovation to open doors to opportunity,” Guidera said in a news release. “This inaugural lab school brings together two proven models that will increase our numbers of tech-savvy teachers and students who are ready to meet the demands of our digital economy.”

CodeRVA Regional High School has been preparing students for college and careers in computer science through personalized, integrated and applied project-based learning since 2017. CodeRVA students acquire real-world work experience through an internship program that starts in 11th grade.

VCU’s RTR Teacher Residency is a proven undergraduate and graduate teacher residency program that places aspiring teachers with highly qualified mentor teachers while they earn an education degree from VCU. The program integrates research with best practices to equip residents with the knowledge, skills and experience to be effective teachers and more likely to stay in the profession. RTR is the largest and longest-standing teacher residency program in Virginia and has prepared over 300 teachers to work in high-needs schools.

Students in the VCU x Code RVA Lab School will learn from high-quality computer science curriculum, obtain real-world work experience and have the opportunity to graduate with a Virginia high school diploma, an associate degree from the Virginia Community College System, industry certifications and as many as 360 hours of practical information technology work experience.

The overlay of VCU’s RTR Teacher Residency encompasses a nationally recognized teacher residency program to ensure that aspiring teachers receive proven and effective training to lead classrooms and deliver best-in-class computer science instructional practices to meet significant teacher shortages and demand.

“The VCU x CodeRVA Lab School supports students and future educators. This partnership empowers more Virginia students to discover their potential in computer science careers,” said Kim McKnight, Ph.D., director of the Center for Teacher Leadership at the VCU School of Education and executive director of RTR Teacher Residency. “Teacher residencies and innovative teacher preparation will help amplify and embed these innovative education approaches statewide. CodeRVA, with its impressive track record of graduating students since 2017, and VCU’s RTR Teacher Residency, a proven program that is the largest and longest-standing teacher residency program in the commonwealth, join forces in the VCU x CodeRVA Lab School to create a powerful alliance.”

Gianna Booker, a senior at CodeRVA Regional High School, told the audience Wednesday that she plans to pursue a computer science degree with a concentration in cybersecurity as a first-generation college student.

“I envision a future where I can contribute meaningfully to the field, driven by the desire to make a positive impact,” she said. “As I stand here today, I want to express my gratitude for the support I have received from institutions of higher education such as VCU. The partnership between VCU and CodeRVA, especially in training teachers in our unique approach to computer science, fills me with excitement. It signifies a commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators.”