The Academies of Loudoun, popularly called Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s third-largest school division. LCPS was founded in 1870 and is located in the rapidly growing Washington metro area. Loudoun County is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fastest-growing county. LCPS opens one to three new school facilities annually to accommodate our growing student population.
Suppose you want to find out information about the Academies of Loudoun. In that case, this article will explore all you need to know about Loudoun Academy, including the different Loudoun academies, eligibility requirements, acceptance rate, and courses offered.
Table of contents
- What Are The Academies of Loudoun?
- About The Academies of Loudoun
- Why Choose The Academies of Loudoun?
- Where Is The Academy of Loudoun Located?
- How Do I Get Into The Academies Of Loudoun?
- Honors courses offered
- What Is The Cost Of Attending The Academies Of Loudoun?
- What Is The Acceptance Rate of The Academies of Loudoun?
- FAQs on Academies of Loudoun
- Conclusion
- References
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What Are The Academies of Loudoun?
The Academies of Loudoun is a collection of three different academies, they include;
The Academy of Science
The Academy of Science was a STEM curriculum for Loudoun County Public Schools high school students. The program was conducted at Dominion High School’s site at 21326 Augusta Drive in Sterling, an unincorporated district of Loudoun County, Virginia. During the summer of 2018, the Academy of Science was absorbed into the Loudoun Academies.
The Monroe Advanced Technology Academy
The Monroe Advanced Technology Academy was a part-time specialized high school in Leesburg, Virginia, a town in Loudoun County. It is a Virginia Governor’s STEM Academy and was part of the Loudoun County Public Education system.
Although the school closed in June 2018, the programs and courses are still available through the Academies of Loudoun, which launched in August 2018. The MATA program is intended to offer meaningful and relevant learning in Career and Technical Education (CTE), which may be explored and created for students in the 21st century in preparation for colleges and professions.
The Academy of Engineering and Technology
AET is a STEM magnet program for high school students in Loudoun County Public Schools. The Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET) is a STEM magnet program for Loudoun County Public Schools high school students. The program was held on the Tuscarora High School campus in Leesburg. AET became a branch of Loudoun Academies in the summer of 2018.
The Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET) focuses on offering students academic paths in engineering, information technology, and entrepreneurship via science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Here students are taught how to develop creative and business skills and take part in engineering projects and research and have the opportunity to pursue a comprehensive experience in high schools.
About The Academies of Loudoun
The Loudoun County Public Schools established the Academies of Loudoun to enable students to explore, research, collaborate, innovate, and expressively contribute to their world. Students that attend the Loudoun academies find personal achievement in their studies and grow into responsible and productive citizens.
Academies of Loudoun launched in the public school division of Loudoun County for 2018-19. The Academies of Loudoun has consolidated three LCPS STEM programs into one school: Engineering and Technology Academy, Science Academy, and the Moon-Advanced Technical Academy, located in Leesburg, Virginia, 33 miles northwest of Washington D.C. (MATA).
Due to the pandemic, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waived accreditation in 2020, but all LCPS schools were fully accredited in 2019. LCPS operates on a nearly $1.3 billion budget and is proud of its competitive starting teacher salaries. The Academies of Loudoun is a member of the NCAC and complies with the NACAC Code of Ethics and Professional Practices. NACAC is the National Association of Admission Counselors. The Academies of Loudoun is also a full-fledged member of the National Consortium of Secondary STEM Schools (NCSSS).
Why Choose The Academies of Loudoun?
The Academies of Loudoun is peculiarly known for their unique feature of allowing students to pursue their passion and attend their high schools on alternate days.
The academies ensure that their four guided words which are Explore, Research, Collaborate, and Innovate, are upheld.
In Loudoun Academy, there is a complete representation of students from diverse backgrounds, including race/ethnicity, gender, disability, English Learner, and socioeconomic status, and students from all geographic areas of Loudoun County who demonstrate a desire to be challenged by advanced academic coursework and collaborative research.
Loudoun Academies challenges students to think critically, innovate, research, design, and invent to solve real-world, contextual problems. This is achieved by making the ecosystem most conducive for students’ formal learning in a setting where academic disciplines are integrated, and collaboration is encouraged.
Students from various backgrounds, including race/ethnicity, gender, disability, English Learner, and socioeconomic level, as well as students from around Loudoun County, are willing to be challenged by rigorous academic curriculum and collaborative research.
Where Is The Academy of Loudoun Located?
The Academy of Loudoun is sited at 42075 Loudoun Academy Dr, Leesburg, VA 20175, the USA, covering a landmass of about 315,000 square feet.
How Do I Get Into The Academies Of Loudoun?
Admissions are granted to students through a very competitive procedure. Students and their parents/guardians must be Loudoun County residents at the time of application. Students are chosen based on an examination of their application, test results, transcripts, instructor recommendations, and admissions evaluations.
Student motivation and a love for STEM are two of the most essential qualities of successful candidates. Students that are highly motivated and persistent, devoted learners have the best chance of success.
To get into any Academy in Loudoun, students will be required to pass through only one testing phase rather than two. This is to make everything simple. The test includes the STEM Thinking Skills Test and Writing Assessment.
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Academies of Loudoun Timeline & Requirements for SY 2024 Applications
- Online Admissions Portal for AOL – 8th graders should apply online for 9th-grade entrance, SY 2024, between August 18, 2024, and October 22, 2024 (12 noon).
- Dates for Fall Admissions Testing – November 6 or 13, 2024 (Choose only one date). Admission Offers – March 2024 – Online Portal
- Students and their parents in grades 6–8 (Academies of Loudoun applicants: AET & AOS)
AP courses offered
Mathematics Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science
Dual enrollment courses offered
- AET Entrepreneurship I, II
- AOS Multivariable Calculus
- MATA Intro to Health & Medical Science
- Medical Lab Technology I, II
- Radiology Technology I
- Environmental Plant Science
- Administration of Justice I, II
- Welding I, II, III
- Computer Integrated Engineering
- Design I Cybersecurity I, II
Honors courses offered
All AET and AOS courses are Honors level unless designated AP or DE.
MATA Honors Courses:
- CISCO
- Computer & Digital Animation I
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Computer Integrated Engineering and Design II
- Pharmacy II
- Radiology II
Please note, in Dual Enrollment (DE); students may select from classes at Northern Virgin Community College or other colleges to earn both college and high school Pharmacy Technology I credits. Dual Enrollment courses are weighted at 1.0.
What Is The Cost Of Attending The Academies Of Loudoun?
It has been challenging to obtain a fair cost comparison of sending children to Academies of Loudoun programs; the district-wide cost per child is $15,241, with board members and staff acknowledging the statistics do not represent the situation of ground. It is important to note the tuition is covered by taxpayers’ money. (Klonopin)
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What Is The Acceptance Rate of The Academies of Loudoun?
The acceptance rate of any Academy in Loudoun is pegged at 23% percent. This entails that 23% of the total number of applicants are given admission. This statistics suggests that Academies of Loudoun is highly competitive.
FAQs on Academies of Loudoun
For Fall Admissions, the information nights are for current students and parents of the 8th grade (dwelling in Loudoun County) for they to find out about the autumn admission cycle to AET and AOS programs of the 9th grade.
For Winter Admissions, The information nights are designed so that you may learn more about the winter cycle of 10th, 11th, or 12th-grade entrance into Advanced AET and MATA programs for current students of 9th, 10th, and 11th grades and their parents (living in the county of Loudoun). For the timetable, see the webpage.
Please check their website for Fall admissions and Winter admissions schedules.
Please review the “When to apply” document for program commitment and admissions criteria information
Students who are requesting testing accommodations for the STEM Thinking Skills Assessment and/or the Writing Assessment must apply to AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org for accommodations by writing by October 23, 2020, in the Fall Test and on February 18, 2024, at 12 p.m. (noon) in the case of winter tests at no later than 12 p.m.
No, only one STEM magnet program can be used for students. In addition to the AET, AOS, and MATA classes, all students at AET, AOS, and MATA must strive to earn their high school diplomas and complete courses in their home schools.
Conclusion
The Academies of Loudoun empowers students to explore, research, collaborate, innovate, and make meaningful contributions to society. The practical lessons taught and the inclusiveness of various learners from different cultural diversities make the study absolutely interesting.
References
- lcps.org – Welcome to the Academies of Loudoun
- en.wikipedia.org – Loudoun Academy of Science
- stantec.com – Academies of Loudoun: An integrated approach to learning
- youngscholarscircle.com – Academies of Loudoun Admission Tips
- washingtonpost.com – Loudoun now has an elite science and technology academy of its own
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