Since 2002, high school students in Fauquier who wanted to take high-level math and science courses have been able to apply to Fairfax's renowned Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology -- but only if they would be willing to put up with a commute as long as two hours each way.
Students who live in other counties on the edge of the Washington region have not had even that option.
School administrators in seven school districts are hoping that void will be filled by 2006, when they want to open a governor's school focused on science and technology. Besides Fauquier, the school would enroll students from Clarke, Culpeper, Frederick, Rappahannock and Warren counties, and the city of Winchester.
"We just feel like our students have been limited in some of their advancement and challenges they can experience, by not having access to that really rigorous curriculum," said Cheri Mangrum, Fauquier coordinator for gifted programs and fine arts.
After several years of talking about the idea, school officials have taken their first concrete steps toward getting the program started. They are working with local legislators, who have pledged to request $180,000 in state planning funds during the upcoming legislative session. The money would be used to hire someone to coordinate the school's creation. It would also pay stipends to teachers assigned to write curriculum.
The educators have already decided a few things about the new program. The school will enroll students during the academic year, rather than during the summer like many of Virginia's governor's school programs.
Unlike at Thomas Jefferson, students will attend for only part of each day, so they could continue ties with their local high schools. It will cover grades 9 through 12 and classes will likely be held on two campuses of Lord Fairfax Community College, which is a partner in the school's development. That way, students would have access to the college's professors and laboratory facilities.
To qualify as a governor's school, a program must enroll students from at least three school districts. Typically, local districts share the costs with the state.
Mangrum said Fauquier does not plan to include funds for the school in next year's budget, but residents should expect to see something the following year. She said a survey of students and parents this spring showed strong endorsement of the school.
"We expect that it will be supported," she said.
No ruling has yet been made, she said, about whether Fauquier students would still be allowed to apply to Thomas Jefferson once the local program has started. She said a decision probably will not be made until the program is up and running.
Loudoun students may also apply to Thomas Jefferson. In addition, there are plans to open a magnet program next year focused on biotechnology and heavily financed by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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