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VCU, CodeRVA chosen for state’s first lab school
July 31, 2023
The state approved its first lab school Thursday, a collaboration between Virginia Commonwealth University and CodeRVA Regional High School in which future teachers will train, and students will take a computer science-based curriculum.
Virginiaâs Board of Education unanimously approved the schoolâs application, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin heralded the development as a new option for parents.
âLab schools are a critical part of restoring excellence in the Commonwealthâs education system,â Youngkin said in a statement. âDuring the first month of my administration, we launched a partnership between colleges and universities to establish K-12 lab schools across the Commonwealth and Iâm pleased weâre 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.â
Lab schools are collaborations between universities, school divisions and sometimes businesses. They provide nonreligious education to K-12 students, are open to the public and do not charge tuition. They can set their own budgets and curricula and, although they receive public funding, they are expected to be financially self-sufficient.
The state designated $100 million for lab school startup grants, and approved lab schools can earn up to $1 million to pay for one-time costs.
The planned school will be called the VCU x CodeRVA Lab School, and it will combine VCUâs teacher residency program with the public magnet school in Scottâs Addition.
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