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College and Career Pathways

We help students set and attain goals to reach their desired future.

The College and Career Pathways team is comprised of passionate professionals in the areas of School Counseling, Gifted Education and College and Career Planning (Future Centers).  Each team member is committed to ensuring that all students in RPS have access to resources that support an enriched educational experience and a robust future plan.

Goals

  • Future Pathways
    All students will be able to name personal, academic and future goals specific to their desired future path; recognize multiple pathways for a positive future, and understand the requirements of their future goals and the impact their actions have on their ability to attain those goals. 
  • Ownership
    All students are encouraged to take academic risks to develop a growth mindset and take ownership of their learning.
  • Environment
    All students are supported by adults who collaborate with and advocate for them, helping to ensure access to an academically challenging learning environment that is inspiring and engaging. 

Dual Enrollment

Richmond Public Schools has an agreement with Reynolds Community College to offer college-level courses to qualifying high school students. Courses are offered on Reynolds' campuses and at the Richmond Technical Center. Students may participate through the Richmond Technical Center, the Early College Academy or Concurrent Enrollment.

Students from all RPS high schools may apply to the Early College Academy in the 10th grade through their school counseling office. Students must have a minimum 3.3 GPA and a desire to earn an Associate's Degree while in high school. Successful students receive an initial acceptance to the ECA, dependent upon additional testing required by the Virginia Community College System.

What is ECA?

In 2012, Virginia House Bill 1184 passed mandating that "each institution within the Virginia Community College System shall develop agreements for postsecondary degree attainment with the public high schools in the school divisions that they serve. The Early College Academy provides students with this opportunity through Reynolds Community College.

What are the benefits of completing an ECA program?

High school students participating in college credit courses often have social, emotional, career, and academic advantages over their peers who do not participate in such programs. Reynolds Community College offers the ECA program to allow students to increase the academic rigor of their high school experience. The desire for rigor should be the ultimate goal of participating in an Early College Academy. Students participating in the ECA attend college classes in the morning on the Reynolds Downtown Campus and the return to their zoned high school for afternoon classes and after-school activities (such as athletics, clubs, etc.). Students are expected to make the full two-year commitment to the program as a member of a cohort for their junior and senior years of high school. The cohort model allows the student to develop strong peer relationships the student can utilize as a support system throughout the program. Students also receive career coaching services from Reynolds beginning with their acceptance into the program in 10th grade.