Specialty Programs

Advanced Placement and Advanced Courses

Certain high school courses are designated as Advanced Placement (AP) or advanced. The requirements and expectations of these courses exceed those of regular grade-level courses in a particular content area. High school students who have completed prerequisite courses are eligible for AP courses as well as Virtual Virginia AP courses.

Career/Technical Education

Career/Technical Education (CTE) courses are designed to prepare young people for productive futures while meeting the commonwealth's need for well-trained and industry-certified technical workers. A sequence of courses can provide students with entry-level employment skills for internships, apprenticeships and preparation for industry certification. CTE courses are offered in the following categories: Business & Information Technology, Health & Medical Sciences, Marketing Education, and Technology Education.

Early College Program

Seniors that qualify to participate in this program are concurrently enrolled in their high school and a local community college allowing them the opportunity to remain involved in sports, clubs, and activities at their home school. Participation in VHSL activities requires the student to meet eligibility requirements. Students complete courses required for graduation during the fall of their senior year. In the spring, students begin a course load of at least 12 college credits. The courses offered in this program are part of the Commonwealth College Course Collaborative (CCCC). To be eligible, students must successfully complete required college entry tests during their junior year. Students must maintain a "C" average during their senior year and courses will follow the college schedule.

Governor’s Health Sciences Academy

Bruton High School in York County and Warwick High School in Newport News are the participating schools in the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy. High school students in all four comprehensive high schools may have the opportunity to participate in a variety of opportunities related to the health care field such as visiting research labs, businesses, colleges and universities to include a summer experience focused on Health Sciences developed by the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development.

Governor’s School for Science & Technology (GSST)

The Governor’s School for Science & Technology (GSST) is a two-year, half-day program, offered at the NHREC, for students in grades 11 and 12. Students will select a strand as the focus for their Governor’s School experience. Each strand provides a unique emphasis on both the science subject matter and associated career fields. Students will be able to participate in one of the following three strands: Engineering, Biological Science, Computational Science & Engineering.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme is a rigorous, two-year college preparatory course of study for academically talented students in grades 11 and 12. A Pre-Diploma program is available to eligible students in grades 9 and 10. Admission to the York High Pre-Diploma program and Diploma Programme is by application.

Naval Sciences

The purpose of Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) at THS and YHS is to instill in students the value of citizenship, service to their community and the United States, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment. A student must be attending a YCSD high school and be a United States citizen or admitted for permanent residence to enroll in this program.

New Horizons Career and Technical Education Center

The New Horizons Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) has provided career and technical education services to the students of Virginia Peninsula high schools for over forty years. The center offers over 18 industry certifications, over seven dual enrolled classes via a partnership with TNCC, and the ability for students to obtain employment in their chosen field of study upon the completion of their program.

School of the Arts: Middle School Arts Magnet

The Middle School Arts Magnet (mSAM) for students in grades 6 through 8 provides enrichment and instruction in literary arts, theatre arts and rhythmic arts. Learning experiences encourage students to work independently and collaboratively to develop writing skills, prepare performances and create exhibitions that display their appreciation of the arts, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and enhance self-esteem. Excellence in the arts is a natural extension of the middle school academic program.

School of the Arts

The York County School of the Arts (SOA) provides high school students with an enriched and challenging fine arts educational opportunity that emphasizes academic growth and artistic development, the multidisciplinary nature of the arts, standards to differentiate between the ordinary and the extraordinary in the arts, and fine arts career opportunities.

York River Academy

York River Academy (YRA), a charter school operated by the York County School Division on the campus of Yorktown Middle School, is designed to provide selected students in grades 9 through 12 with an innovative academic and career-preparatory education in core subject areas with emphasis on computer technology while working toward a Standard Diploma. At YRA, instructional activities are student-centered with teachers using collaborative approaches and blended instruction that prepare students for success in the classroom and the world of work.

The YCSD Program of Studies provides more information on these program as well as other course offerings.