Discover the Specialized Academies Shaping Future Leaders in Hampton Roads

Courtesy of Chesapeake Public Schools

Empowering youth to succeed in a rapidly changing workforce requires innovative approaches to education. At the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, students aren’t just reading about ecology; they are standing in it. A few miles away, another group of students is mastering the complexities of biomedical research and engineering.

These are the specialized academies of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) – innovative hubs where learning means drafting legislation, partnering with architects and solving real-world challenges.

Environmental Studies Program

The Environmental Studies Program at VBCPS, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, is a nontraditional academy that offers students the opportunity to expand their understanding of business innovation, social sustainability, environmental sustainability and natural resource stewardship via experiential learning and community partnerships.

Students learn in the field, with a home base classroom in the Brock Environmental Center at Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Chris Freeman

“As beautiful as our classroom is right on the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay on the Lynnhaven Inlet, we also have 118 acres of beautiful city park where kids learn and have hands-on opportunities daily,” says Chris Freeman, the Environmental Studies Program Coordinator.

The half-day program brings together juniors and seniors from 11 high schools within VBPS. To broaden their horizons, students in the program work with a number of area partners.

“We want to show those students the good work that’s being done in Hampton Roads, so they feel their voice is already connected to that,” Freeman says. “Then whether they go to college or trade school, they can come right back here and be value added to Hampton Roads.”

While the first cohort has not graduated college yet, students in the program are already doing great work in their community. For example, students interested in environmental law drafted two bills that became state law. Students passionate about environmental architecture partnered with RBA Architects to design an outdoor learning center for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, then helped raise the funds to build it.

Chris Freeman

“By reimagining a classroom and creating nontraditional teachers, we’re allowing the community to support these students’ growth,” Freeman says. “The students are growing their connection to this community and helping everyone understand what’s possible.”

Science and Medicine Academy

The Science & Medicine Academy (SMA) within CPS accepts a cohort of 100 students annually who have a strong interest in health sciences, sports medicine, biomedical research or animal science.

“The Science & Medicine Academy was created to provide a rigorous, focused pathway that aligns student interests with workforce needs while supporting college and career readiness,” says Dr. Shonda Pittman Windham, Director of College and Career Readiness.

Chris Freeman

SMA collaborates with local health care organizations, higher ed institutions and industry professionals to provide students with guest speakers, mentorship opportunities and authentic learning experiences tied to the medical and science fields. SMA graduates have gone on to pursue degrees in health care-related professions, biomedical sciences, environmental science, physics and animal science professions at competitive colleges and universities. In fact, a class of 2025 member recently earned a prestigious full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University to study biomedical science.

“Many alumni credit the academy with helping them explore career goals early and develop the academic discipline and confidence needed for success in demanding postsecondary programs,” Pittman Windham says.

Governor’s STEM Academy

Also a part of the Chesapeake Public Schools, Governor’s STEM Academy is a four-year high school program that features a curriculum designed for students with an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The academy works closely with higher education institutions, regional employers and industry partners that support curriculum development, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.

“The track was created in response to workforce data and state initiatives emphasizing the importance of STEM education,” Pittman Windham says. “CPS wanted to ensure students had access to advanced, career-aligned STEM experiences that prepare them for both postsecondary education and emerging industries.”

Chesapeake Public Schools

Some of the academy’s most meaningful success stories come full circle, with alumni returning as valued partners and mentors. For example, a graduate from the Governor’s STEM Academy class of 2018 went on to serve as the director of a university makerspace. Inspired to give back, she later designed a summer program for rising seniors that provided hands-on experience managing a makerspace and working with advanced, industry-level equipment.

“The academy’s greatest measure of success is that every student leaves confident, prepared and ready for what comes next,” Pittman Windham says. “Through immersive project-based learning, professional presentations, interviews and real-world challenges, students learn that failure is not an endpoint, but an opportunity to grow, refine and improve.”