Framework for the Future 2030

Specialized Curriculum Programs

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program

Programs are offered for gifted and talented students from kindergarten through grade 12.  During the 2007-2008 school year, the Newport News Public School System provided services to approximately 2,250 gifted students.

The curriculum is enriched and accelerated.  Students complete academic requirements at their instructional level, apply what they have learned, interact with other gifted students, develop self-evaluation skills and an awareness of their own responsibility for learning.  Students are encouraged to learn and implement higher levels of thinking and to use problem-solving techniques as a means of reaching a solution.

New Horizons Governor’s School for Science and Technology

The Governor’s School, located on the campus of the New Horizons Regional Education Center, is open to all public high school students with a strong interest in math, science and technology.  Students come from Gloucester County, Hampton, James City County, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, and Williamsburg.  They are selected based on their previous math and science courses, teacher’s recommendation, standardized achievement test scores, science/math activities and honors.  Students spend at least five hours a week in an after-school mentor program.  The students work under the guidance of a professional to obtain experience in their career interest.

Special Education

Newport News Public Schools ensures that each student with a learning disability acquires knowledge, skills, and competencies consistent with his or her potential.  Services range from general education classrooms to residential programs.

Out of a budget of over $318 million, the Special Education budget is $35.8 million, 11% of the NNPS division’s budget for FY 2009.  Federal funds support the Special Education local budget. 

The special education population has increased over the past five years. Student expectations and performance as a result of the No Child Left Behind Act have resulted in uncovering students’ disabilities, and the subsequent need for specialized services.  Newport News has experienced this trend along with most school divisions in the country.

In December 2007, the number of special needs students enrolled in the NNPS division was 4,307.  The following table lists the categories of special education students who were in the NNPS division.

Preschool services for children between the ages of two and five years old are provided at various locations – the Early Childhood Centers, Head Start, a private daycare center, and in NNPS elementary schools.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) Program

English as a Second Language is a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade program designed for students whose native language is not English.  The ESL program is located in two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.  In 2003, there were a total of 433 English language learners in NNPS.  In 2007, that number has grown to over 724.

ESL teachers determine services for each student according to the outcome of this testing instrument.  All ESL students are assessed upon completion of each school year that measures each student’s listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.  ESL students, once exited from the program, are monitored for an additional two years to ensure their academic success.

School Options and Alternatives

Alternative educational programs have been implemented in response to safe school initiatives.  Suspended or expelled students are provided educational services outside the regular school setting.  Enterprise Academy enrolls elementary students in addition to middle and high school students.  Other alternative programs teach students interested in a variety of academic and vocational opportunities outside the traditional school environment.  These include Point Option/New Summits, New Horizons Regional Education Center and a GED program for 16-year-olds.  These schools are designed to ensure the academic success of all students by providing small learning communities with differentiated curricula and smaller class sizes. 

Other programs responding to the safe school initiatives are:

Jackson Academy

Jackson Academy is an alternative middle school program for students who have been expelled or suspended from regular programs or other alternative programs, or are returning to the community from juvenile corrections.  The program features a dress code, high behavioral expectations, an intensive academic focus, use of technology, and counseling for both students and their parents.

Prevention and Intervention Programs in All Schools

Schools have programs for students who need a different school setting.  They help reduce disciplinary incidents on the elementary, middle, and high school level.  Student Support Specialists and Guidance Counselors provide a variety of supportive services, intervention strategies, prevention strategies, and crisis response depending on the needs of their individual student population.  The programs also promote citizenship and a safe and drug free environment.

New Horizons

The New Horizons Regional Education Center serves the technical educational needs of students from six school districts: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, Gloucester County, James City & Williamsburg County. The Center has three campuses located in two different cities. Students attend technical classes at New Horizons on a time-shared basis with remaining classes (e.g. English, History, art, etc.) taken at the students' home high schools.

Health Services Program

NNPS division provides health screening for all students.  Screening scheduled by the school nurse is conducted during the school year.  Vision and hearing screening are required in grades 3, 7, and 10. 

A student’s physical well-being is tested annually through the National and Presidential Fitness Test and the Virginia Wellness Related Fitness Test provides alternative methods of testing to traditional fitness tests. 

College and Career Preparation

Students are exposed to career development and college preparation opportunities through classroom activities and school programs.   In middle school, students participate in CollegeEd, a series of classroom lessons that focus on college awareness, preparation and rigor.  Career assessment tools assist students in identifying areas for further career and college exploration.

Middle school students are encouraged to enroll in high school courses.  As early as seventh grade, students can begin taking a world language, and students can enroll in algebra and geometry.

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), a college preparatory support program, is used to prepare students for post-secondary education.  Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) prepares middle school students for undergraduate programs.  College fairs for both middle and high school students and their families occur yearly.

Many students begin taking the PSAT in middle school. Ninth and 10th graders are encouraged to take the PSAT as preparation for the SAT.  The school district funds PSAT test for students in grades 10 and 11.  Students are encouraged to take the ACT and SAT subject area tests in high school.  Several programs fund college admissions tests for students with financial needs. 

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered for high school students in a variety of disciplines.  The school district funds all AP testing.   Students can begin taking AP courses in the ninth grade.  There are numerous honors courses available in high school.  Students can begin receiving college credits in high school through dual enrollment and there are several dual enrollment initiatives that are funded by the school district.

The International Baccalaureate is a demanding pre-university course leading to an internationally recognized diploma.  IB is offered at Warwick High School, Dutrow elementary school, and an IB program began in Fall 2006 at Passage Middle School.

Career Pathways Initiative

Newport News Public Schools has developed the Career Pathways Initiative to help students navigate among thousands of different occupations and provide them the numerous skills to enter the workforce.

This provides students a pathway to a career through interrelated courses, as well as curricular, extra-curricular, internships, and service learning experiences.  It also provides a  transition from high school to the workforce or higher education.

Newport News Public Schools has developed  eight career pathways.  In high school students will have the option to choose between architecture and construction, arts, A/V technology and communication; business, management and administration; education and training; manufacturing; science technology, engineering and mathematics; law, public safety, corrections and security; and health science programs.