A new Environmental Studies Program for Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) high school juniors and seniors will begin in 2020, following approval last night by the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach.

The new program is a partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) Brock Environmental Center, where students will have real-world experiences and the opportunity to broaden their understanding of sustainability issues through learning projects and interdisciplinary instruction. Students will split their day between their home school and a specially-designed Brock Center classroom, which will be paid for by a $1.5 million donation from the one of the center's namesakes, Joan Brock.

The CBF and VBCPS have been partners for 20 years, hosting student field trips and teacher professional development workshops, and providing contributions to secondary and collegiate curriculum.

"The evolution of this partnership is only natural," said VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. "The Brock Center has been a national example of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Our school system strives to educate the next generations of leaders in those fields. This continued collaboration really puts us on the front lines of environmental education."

Curriculum development begins in the spring of 2019, with applications for the first class of 50 juniors and seniors accepted that winter. Subsequent school years will accommodate up to 100 upperclassmen and there will eventually be summer programs offered to students and teachers both regionally and across the VBCPS system.

For more information about the Environmental Studies Program, visit vbschools.com.

###

Department of Communications and Community Engagement, [email protected]

Like us on Facebook || Follow us on Twitter || Follow us on Instagram