Students learn about specialty centers, governor’s schools

Manchester Middle School student Michael Turner thinks he would like to apply for the International Baccalaureate program at Meadowbrook High School for next fall, when he'll start as a freshman.

"I'm open to a lot of ideas and opportunities," he said Thursday evening while he waited with his parents for an IB presentation at Meadowbrook High.

"We don't have a lot of information right now, and that's why we're here," said his mother, Sherry Turner.

The Turners and roughly 40 other parents and students got it straight from Christa Hornberger, a social studies teacher for the Meadowbrook IB program.

"You will have to work really hard," she said. "You won't get easy A's. You won't get easy B's."

Chesterfield high schools are offering a series of open houses this and next month for middle school students and their parents interested in applying to the different specialty centers, governor's schools and special programs, like the IB.

Henrico County schools have been holding informational sessions and open houses for special programs and specialty centers since last month and will continue through January.

Hanover County schools will hold the annual Curriculum and Career Fair in January to provide an opportunity for students and parents to learn about all curriculum areas including the programs available to all county students in programs located at Hanover High School and The Hanover Center for Trades and Technology.

Richmond had informational sessions last week for IB programs and will have scheduled open houses for students interested in applying governor's schools next month. Students from across Chesterfield County have the option of applying to specialty centers for the arts, math and science, technology, foreign languages, mass communications, engineering, humanities, health and sciences, and leadership. They can apply to Appomattox Regional and Maggie L. Walker governor's schools.

The deadline to apply to specialty centers or governor's schools for the 2010-11 school year is Dec. 1. Acceptance notices are given in March.

All specialty centers and the Chesterfield Technical Center governor's schools kicked off the informational sessions with fairs at James River and Thomas Dale high schools earlier this month, and the open houses at different high schools followed last week.

Meadowbrook students and staff told parents that the IB program is rigorous, fast-paced and very demanding. But it's also academically rewarding if students successfully complete the program. It looks good in college applications, and students can start college with as many as 60 credits, Hornberger said.

"You will have a greater chance of getting into the college of your choice," she said.

Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513 or .