Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is teaming up with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to launch a Governor’s Health Sciences Academy (GHSA) in the 2025-26 school year.
This partnership will give students access to dual enrollment programs, industry certifications, and paths to associate degrees in high-demand healthcare 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 Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Workforce Development Dr. Tricia Jacobs. “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 collaboration comes as The George Washington University (GW) has decided not to extend its current agreement with ACPS beyond 2027.
“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), a press release from ACPS states. “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”.
To kick things off, ACPS and NOVA are planning a Summer Bridge program at NOVA’s Medical Education Campus in Springfield, VA, from June 23 to 26, 2025.
Students currently in 11th and 12th grade will finish their programs under the existing GW agreement. Incoming 9th and 10th graders will start and continue their health sciences tracks with NOVA.
The GHSA at Alexandria City High School helps prepare 9th-12th grade students for college and careers in healthcare. It offers programs in nursing, surgical sciences, emergency medical science, medical laboratory work, sports medicine, and biomedical informatics.
“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,” Jacobs said.
