The Virginia Board of Education this week approved Roanoke College’s application for a laboratory school and awarded the college a $3.5 million initial start-up grant to launch the school in fall 2024.
The new lab school, Explore@RC, will allow local high school students to participate in a dual-enrollment program, taking college-level courses on Roanoke’s campus and getting a jump start on earning a four-year degree. The program was designed in partnership with Salem City Schools and will serve Salem High School students in the first year, but Explore@RC staff are currently working with neighboring districts to expand access.
“At Roanoke College, our eyes are fixed on serving our community – and this news is just one more example of our abiding commitment to partnering with schools, government and industry to lift up everyone,” said Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr.
The Board of Education funding, made possible by the College Partnership Laboratory Fund, is believed to be the largest government grant ever awarded to Roanoke College. Roanoke is one of only two private colleges in Virginia that has been approved for a lab school.
“Our team is so excited to launch Explore@RC,” said Lisa Stoneman, chair of Roanoke’s Education Department. “These initial dual-enrollment courses are just the beginning of our community outreach vision. Growing into our 150-student capacity and extending on-campus learning opportunities to middle and elementary students is part of our dream for a lab school that will positively impact the region as well as the students and faculty at Roanoke.”
A lab school is defined in Virginia as a public, nonsectarian, nonreligious school established by a public institution of higher education or an eligible private institution. In a 2022 special session, the Virginia General Assembly appropriated $100 million into the College Partnership Laboratory Fund to establish and support lab schools. That included $5 million for planning grants to eligible institutions, $20 million for initial start-up grants for approved lab schools, and $75 million for per-pupil operating grants to support ongoing expenses for the operation and maintenance of lab schools.
Roanoke received a $192,541 planning grant in June 2023, and an interdisciplinary planning committee led by faculty from the college’s Education Department worked closely with Salem High School faculty over the past year to design the dual-enrollment program. That included coordinating transportation, schedules and state graduation requirements to ensure that students can complete their high school courses while also earning college credits. The team also coordinated with Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) to make sure Explore@RC complements rather than duplicates VWCC’s existing dual-enrollment program with Salem.
“As a small school division, we rely on a host of local partners to expand opportunities for our students,” said Curtis Hicks, superintendent of Salem City Schools. “The research is clear that taking college-level courses makes it more likely that students will attend college at some point after high school. Explore@RC is just one more example of our broader community coming together to provide additional educational and career opportunities for our students."
“At Roanoke College, our eyes are fixed on serving our community – and this news is just one more example of our abiding commitment to partnering with schools, government and industry to lift up everyone.”
Roanoke College President Frank Shushok Jr.
Explore@RC will enable students to enroll in innovative, inquiry- and problem-based college courses while they are still in high school. These courses are designed to help develop critical thinking and practical skills necessary for success in college, careers and community leadership. The program also offers a capstone course that emphasizes connection and work-based learning opportunities.
The classes will span multiple disciplines but align with specific career pathways such as education and global studies; science, engineering and technology; and communication and civic leadership. Each career pathway will include field-based research components, community-engagement courses, and general education courses that could help students tick boxes for college graduation requirements before many of their high school classmates have even considered college.
For example, a student interested in education might take Principles of Education and Mathematical Concepts in K-8 on the Roanoke Campus every morning, then head back to high school for lunch and afternoon classes. A student interested in STEM/health care might add Intro to Public Health and Chemistry & Crime to her high school coursework. It is possible that an Explore@RC student could graduate high school with almost two years’ worth of college credits under their cap, saving considerable time and money.
According to the Institute of Education Sciences, students who take dual-enrollment courses in high school are more than 50% more likely to graduate from college than students who don’t.
Education students at Roanoke College will serve as peer mentors to Explore@RC students, helping them to prepare for the college classroom and campus life. The program will also offer professional development opportunities for teachers, pre-service teachers and faculty.
Lab School Executive Director Natasha Watts is currently meeting with students, parents and community leaders to spread the word about Explore@RC. She will oversee all aspects of the lab school, including advising students and liaising with stakeholders. For more information about the lab school, including applications, please reach out to explore@roanoke.edu.
“Students who take dual-enroll courses are more likely to graduate from high school, are better prepared to transition to a college setting, and spend less time – and money – completing a college degree,” Shushok said. “This partnership is an investment in our community that will pay great dividends by providing local students with clearly defined pathways to college and careers.”
Representatives from Roanoke College and Salem City Schools gathered at Roanoke College in June 2023 to announce the receipt of a lab school planning grant.