Stafford schools join UMW to earn Lab School grant

The University of Mary Washington, in partnership with Stafford County Public Schools, has been awarded a College Partnership Laboratory School (Lab School) Planning Grant from the Virginia Department of Education.

The $200,000 grant will provide the initial funding for stakeholder engagement and planning, hiring an executive director, building organizational capacity and developing the curriculum for the proposed lab school, which will focus on computer and data sciences.

“One of our goals is to provide meaningful postsecondary outcomes for every student, ensuring that each is prepared for life after high school,” said Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. “The award of this grant aligns perfectly with the desired outcome for our students.”

Initial ideas for the lab school include locating it in existing space at UMW’s Stafford Campus. As a regional lab school, it would seek to serve students from five school divisions, beginning with grades 9-12.

Future steps may include an implementation grant proposal to follow this spring, with the school anticipated to open in fall 2024, beginning with about 400 students selected via a lottery.