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Advance College Academy for Social Sciences

About

Overview

A wide exterior view of a modern school building with red brick walls and large windows.

The Advance College Academy is a partnership between Henrico County Public Schools and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. The program enables students to obtain an Associate of Science degree in social sciences while earning a high school diploma during their four years of high school. As a member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, HCPS and Reynolds follow a prescribed standards that ensure a high quality representation of college classes and coursework. Students who successfully complete their high school education through the Advance College Academy will have an associate degree from a college accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the governing body of colleges and universities in 11 states. Upon graduation from both Reynolds and HCPS, students have an opportunity to transfer the associate degree's 60 credits to the four-year colleges and universities to which they gain admission. Cohorts may be up to 75 students selected for the cohort.

 

  • The ACA Program is designed to give students an accelerated academic experience. Our goals help facilitate college-readiness.

    • Developing effective and dynamic study skills using techniques such as study groups, graphic organizer, Cornell notes and others.
    • Preparing students at 16 for the realities and challenges of becoming a college freshman through specially crafted honors and AP classes taken during ninth and 10th grades.
    • Defining postsecondary academic and career goals through periodic group or individual sessions with our Reynolds career coach.
    • Identifying, addressing and assisting students in overcoming roadblocks to success.

  • Our concurrent instructors are both HCPS teachers and credentialed Reynolds adjunct professors.

    • Rigorous and challenging 21st-century instruction that incorporates durable skills needed for success in college and the workforce. 
    • Honors and AP classes comprise the ninth and 10th grade course work.
    • The high school experience is embellished with high school electives and participation in high school extracurricular activities.
    • Students earn a full associate’s degree of 60 credits.

  • The following gateways of progression through the program have been established to allow for maximum student success. Please note that colleges and universities only accept courses for transfer in which a grade of C or better has been earned. Acceptance to the Advance College Academy is the first of several gates leading to the conferment of the associate degree in May of 12th grade.

    • Acceptance to the Advance College Academy: This is contingent upon successful completion of eighth grade coursework required for acceptance.
    • Applying to Reynolds Community College: This takes place early in 10th grade and requires participation from both parents and students to complete the application process.
    • English Direct Placement, Reynolds:  ACA students must have a 3.0 in 10th grade English and a 3.0 GPA. If the student does not direct-place into classes, they must take a reading comprehension and writing test. There is only one opportunity to take this test in the summer before 11th grade. No student is permitted to remain in the program without placement by Aug. 15 before the start of 11th grade.
    • Math Direct Placement, Reynold: This is required of any high school student taking a college math class. The student must have at least a C or higher in 10th grade math and a 3.0 GPA. All students wishing to take Reynolds math 263 (calculus I) must place into the course through a Reynolds placement test.
    • Reynolds Student Orientation Course: The design of the Advance College Academy includes a one-credit class taken as a cohort during the fall of 11th grade. SDV 100, "College Success Skills," is taken in person with our Reynolds career coach as instructor. An A or B in this class is required to continue in the program.
    • Reynolds Fine Arts or Humanities Online Course: Students choose from a selection of courses that satisfy a three-credit requirement of the associate degree. This course is taken in the spring semester of 11th grade, online with a Reynolds instructor.
    • Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications ITE 152: Students earn these credits by taking and achieving 70% or higher on the ITE Credit by Able exam. This is to be accomplished during 11th grade. If a student is unable to successfully achieve 70% the test after two attempts, the student will take this semester-long, three-credit course online before the start of 12th grade. There is a cost to the family.
    • Reynolds Approved Elective Course: The credits for levels of Reynolds math and language vary. Some students may need to take an additional Reynolds elective to achieve the 60 credits of the associate degree. An alternative route to earn these three credits is to score a 3 or better on the AP Human Geography exam in 10th grade.
    • Course Grades and GPA requirements: Because the goals of this program are college- and career-readiness as well as completion of an associate degree, students in grades 9 through 12 must maintain a 3.0 unweighted GPA (English, math, science, social studies, and World language) at marking period, semester and end-of-course. Students with continued or repeated inability to maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA, with intervention, may be removed from the program.

    Any Advance College Academy student taking Reynolds classes whose GPA falls below a 2.5 for any one semester will be removed from the program. Any program student taking Reynolds classes whose GPA falls between a 2.5 and 3.0 will require intervention and GPA improvement to remain in the program.

  • Free Tutoring

    • For any Reynolds classes you are involved in during your junior and senior years, students will have access to Reynolds tutoring services. By requesting a tutor students can engage in free one-on-one or small-group tutoring for support in their Reynolds courses. Through Reynolds Math Central, students can also receive free walk-in tutoring with no appointment, or can schedule an appointment for tutoring. This is a great benefit that helps negate the costs of tutoring and also allows the student to gain tutoring from someone who has already taken their course. 

    Library Access

    • Advance College Academy students have access to the Reynolds campus libraries, which provide many other benefits. In the library, students may use Reynolds computers when HCPS computers are not available, or over summer breaks. They may also use Reynolds printing services when they don't have access to school services. Reynolds libraries also provide a quiet place to study as well as study rooms that can be reserved for studying alone or in a group. Students can also check out college-level books and e-books from the libraries if they are not available through their high school or public libraries.

    Database Access

    • Reynolds libraries also provide access to library databases of journals, scholarly articles and many other academic publications. This resource will be especially beneficial during students' junior and senior years when doing research projects and papers. The library also provides resources on its website and in person for guidance on conducting and citing research, preparing ACA students for college and beyond.

    Student Discounts

    • Students receive an official Reynolds email account and Reynolds student ID for their junior and senior years. The rules and guidelines of the discounts may vary, but using these resources students may qualify for college student rewards or discounts.

    Other Reynolds Courses

    • Because Advance College Academy students are also enrolled as Reynolds students, they’re eligible to enroll in other Reynolds classes. Classes during HCPS school hours are not eligible for enrollment, so classes must be in the evenings or during the summer. To enroll, students must have taken any prerequisite classes required for the course. Tthe cost of these additional courses is not included in the Advance College Academy tuition and families must pay the full cost of these classes. However, extra Reynolds courses still serve as an opportunity for students to expand their learning in areas of interest, gain more credits to transfer to college and take courses not provided at their school.

    Honor Societies

    • As Reynolds students, Advance College Academy students are eligible to be inducted into Reynolds honor societies. Many ACA students have been invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, the Reynolds honor society. This enables students to be recognized for their scholarship and leadership. Honor societies can also be impressive accolades to include on resumes and college applications. Through this, students are eligible for scholarships through the honor society.

    Student Life

    • Reynolds has many student life opportunities, and Advance College Academy students are welcome to participate. Throughout the year Reynolds holds an array of events, club meetings, field trips and service projects. Students in the program are welcome to take advantage of these opportunities as long as it doesn’t conflict with school hours or other school obligations. These activities provide students with opportunities to be involved beyond their high school and explore further interests.

    • BIO 101 - General Biology I
    • BIO 102 - General Biology II
    • ENG 111 - College Composition I
    • ENG 112 - College Composition II
    • ENG 245 - Survey of English Literature
    • ENG 246 - Survey of American Literature
    • FRE 101 - Introduction to French Part I
    • FRE 102 - Introduction to French Part II
    • FRE 201 - Intermediate French Part I
    • FRE 202 - Intermediate French Part II
    • HIS 121 - United States History I
    • HIS 122 - United States History II
    • ITE 152 - Introduction to Digital Literacy
    • MTH 161 - Pre-Calculus I
    • MTH 162 - Pre-Calculus II
    • MTH 167 - Pre-Calculus with trigonometry
    • MTH 245 - Statistics
    • MTH 263 - Calculus I
    • PLS 135 - United States Government and Politics
    • PLS 136 - State and Local Government and Politics
    • PSY 200 - Introduction to Psychology
    • PSY 230 -Developmental Psychology
    • SPA 101 - Introduction to Spanish Part I
    • SPA 102 - Introduction to Spanish Part II
    • SPA 201 - Intermediate Spanish Part I 
    • SPA 202 - Intermediate Spanish Part II
    • SDV 100 - College and Life Success Skills

    One year of Reynolds World language is required from the choices.

After ACA, You're Going Places

Almost all Advance College Academy alumni go on to further their education at a four-year college or university and beyond. . The rigor of ACA has helped students gain acceptance to these places of higher education, and give them the preparation to thrive once they’re there. 

Approximately 84% attend public, in-state universities. These destinations include UVA, VA Tech, William & Mary as well as VCU, JMU, Mary Washington, George Mason and countless other public (often called state schools) around the United State. 

Approximately 16% attend private or out-of-state universities. These destinations include U or R, Duke, NYU, Howard, as well as countless other private or out-of-state universities around the United States.