Mission

West Potomac Academy’s mission is to empower students to gain 21st-century skills while exploring career opportunities in Health and Medical Sciences, Communication and the Arts, and Human Services. The Academy provides students with a foundation for post-secondary education or workforce readiness in certified health-related professions, music and tv production, dance, law enforcement, and early childhood careers.

About West Potomac Academy

In May 2013 West Potomac Academy was awarded the designation as a Governor's Health Science Academy by the Virginia Department of Education.

The goals of the West Potomac Governor’s Health Sciences Academy are to provide expanded options for students’ health science literacy and other critical knowledge, skills, and credentials that will prepare them for high-demand, high wage, and high-skills health sciences careers in Virginia.

West Potomac Academy is part of the 6 High School Academies within Fairfax County Public Schools and is a "school within a school" that offers specialized health sciences, communication & the arts, and human services courses for highly motivated high school students. Students enrolled in our courses come from approximately 20 different high schools within FCPS. Each Academy class is taught by highly qualified instructors who have worked or are currently working in the field of which they teach. This allows them to bring the most current business, human service and medical practices to their curriculum.  West Potomac Academy provides our students the opportunity to gain specific hands-on skills, industry recognized certifications, licensure and valuable career experiences with local health and human services industry partners and leading national organizations. West Potomac Academy courses significantly prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce as well as advanced post-secondary study.

Specialized Courses & Work Based Learning 

Enrollment in the Academy elective course offerings provides juniors and seniors with career and academic preparation for future learning in college and career fields. Students enrolled in the academy elective courses are provided with opportunities to participate in shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.

Course offerings at high school academies are continually evaluated to ensure that such offerings reflect the dynamic career opportunities available, as well as connect academic knowledge with technical applications.

Academies support Student Achievement Goal 1.3: Explore, understand, and value the fine and practical arts. By reasonable interpretation, "the knowledge and skills students develop in fine arts and CTE courses form the basis for 21st-century skills that require cultural literacy, inventive thinking, problem-solving, and creativity." Evidence of support can be found throughout the Academy courses by way of:

• industry validated course content
• opportunities to earn credentials and college credits
• career exploration and preparation through mentoring, job shadowing, and internship experiences.

Additional information may be found on the Career and Technical Education website.

Academy Transportation

Transportation may be provided within limitations for students attending classes at the Academy at no charge. Students are shuttled from their home schools. Shuttle schedules are arranged for each of the three sessions of classes. Student parking is permitted at West Potomac Academy when appropriate parking permits have been obtained.