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Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announced Monday that the Governor's Health Sciences Academy (GHSA) at Alexandria City High School will enter a new partnership with Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Medical Education Campus, beginning in the 2025–26 academic year. This collaboration marks an exciting new chapter for the Academy, building on the strong educational foundation established with its original partner, The George Washington University (GW).
GW recently informed ACPS leadership that it will not renew the current memorandum of understanding (MOU) beyond its 2027 end date. In response, and with a focus on sustaining and advancing the program, the GHSA is moving forward with NOVA as its new partner starting in 2025.
This new collaboration with NOVA reflects ACPS' commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable and locally accessible postsecondary education and training opportunities for students pursuing careers in the health sciences. The partnership will provide dual enrollment options, industry certifications and direct pathways to associate degrees and healthcare credentials in high-demand fields.
"We are thrilled to partner with Northern Virginia Community College, a long-standing leader in workforce development and academic excellence in our region," said Dr. Tricia Jacobs, director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Workforce Development. "NOVA's programs align strongly with our mission to prepare students for two- and four-year college, training and career, especially in vital healthcare sectors."
"This new partnership with NOVA represents a powerful step forward in our mission to ensure access, equity and strong outcomes for our students and expertise in workforce-aligned education will allow us to expand opportunities for students entering the healthcare field."
The shift in partnership was made after carefully reviewing the Academy's goals, student needs and long-term sustainability. ACPS believes that NOVA's capacity to provide robust dual enrollment support, and direct links to regional healthcare employers, will best serve students and families. Many pathway programs at NOVA will also allow for ease of transferability to four-year universities in Virginia. ACPS is excited to explore additional health science pathways that meet the workforce needs in northern Virginia and lead to our existing post-secondary partners, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia and George Mason University.
About the Governor's Health Sciences Academy
The ACPS Governor's Health Sciences Academy is a specialized program that prepares students in grades 9–12 for postsecondary education and careers in healthcare. With current pathways in areas such as nursing, surgical sciences, emergency medical science, medical laboratory, sports medicine and biomedical informatics, the Academy offers rigorous academics, experiential learning and strong industry partnerships. With a focus on academic rigor, experiential learning and real-world healthcare partnerships, the Academy equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in various health professions.
As part of a carefully phased transition, incoming eleventh and twelfth-grade students will remain under the existing dual enrollment agreement with GW through the completion of their program pathway. Meanwhile, incoming ninth and rising tenth grade students will begin and continue their health sciences pathways with NOVA.
In preparation for the transition, ACPS and NOVA will host a Summer Bridge program from June 23–26, 2025, at the NOVA Medical Education Campus in Springfield, Virginia. The program will give students a hands-on introduction to NOVA's health sciences offerings, facilities and support services. The NOVA staff is preparing a time for families to tour the campus this week to see the high-quality labs and resources available to GHSA students. The new partnership will provide enhanced and expanded dual enrollment health sciences pathway options, industry-recognized certifications and direct pathways to associate degrees and healthcare credentials in high-demand fields.
In the coming weeks, further details about the expanded course offerings and student benefits under the new NOVA partnership will be shared with families and the community.
