In Hampton Roads, high-quality education is a K-12 priority as it lays the groundwork of a stable and robust talent pipeline for industries of the future. Throughout the region, our localities offer a wide range of educational resources to meet the education and training needs of the growing economy. Award-winning public schools and a variety of acclaimed private schools all support the vital occupations that are both present and to be created.
The Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA) located in Norfolk, Virginia offers premiere arts training in six departments: Dance, Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Theater & Film, Visual Arts and Vocal Music. In the early eighties, during the administration of Governor Charles Robb, Governor’s School was established to bring together talent and motivated students to provide them with opportunities to study in a concentrated and intensive environment. Louise Lowenthal, a Virginia Beach art teacher, spearheaded the development of the first Governor’s School for the Arts, and it became a full-time program in 1987.
GSA now serves the school divisions of Chesapeake, Franklin, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampton, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach with transportation provided by the local school divisions. The school requires no tuition fee for students and accepts students by audition. Students from grades 8-11 are eligible to apply and may earn three credits each year they attend GSA. Each department at GSA develops a season of performances and exhibitions open to the public, which they present in professional theaters and galleries. The Art school presents over 50 productions and shows a year.
Hampton Roads boasts high-quality local schools that are on the cutting edge of STEM education. Regional educators are offering capstone robotics, maker, and cybersecurity courses. In these concentrations, there are 14 International Baccalaureate (IB) programs throughout the metro area. Hampton Roads public schools have been ranked among the top in the nation for technology use.
Hampton Roads is home to six Governor’s STEM programs, which are partnerships that include school divisions, higher education institutions, businesses and industry leaders.
Location: Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, VA
Career Pathways: Engineering & Technology, Design/Pre-Construction, Merchandising, and Visual Arts
Location: The Pruden Center for Industry and Technology in Suffolk, VA
Career Pathways: Engineering & Technology and Interactive Media
Location: Landstown High School and Technology Academy in Virginia Beach, VA
Career Pathways: Engineering & Technology, Professional Sales, and Web & Digital Communications
Location: Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, VA
Career Pathways: Engineering & Technology, Marketing Management, Programming & Software Development
Location:New Horizons Regional Education Centers in Hampton, Newport News, and Yorktown
Career Pathways: Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology
Location: Heritage High School in Newport News
Career Pathways: Design & Pre-Construction, Engineering & Technology, Programming & Software Development, Web & Digital Communications, Network Systems, and Information Support Services
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