Blue Ridge Career Pathways

Academy

Unique Scholarship Opportunity for High School Seniors

Reach for the STARS

Earn College Credit, High School Credit & Plan Your Career!

The Blue Ridge Career Pathways Consortium complies with all state and federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate in employment and access to educational opportunities. All Career and Technical Education course, educational programs and services are open to students regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability.

Page | 1

“Hire” Education for Everyone

The true ratio of jobs in our economy is 1:2:7 For every occupation that

requires a master’s degree or more, two professional jobs require a

university degree, and there are over half a dozen jobs requiring a 1-year

certificate or 2-year degree; and each of these technicians are in very high-

skilled areas that are in great demand. This ratio is a fundamental to all

industries. It was the same in 1950, the same in 1990, and will be the same in

2030.

http://bit.ly/1LE2j1u

Sources:

Gray, K. & Herr, E. (2006). Other Ways to Win: Creating Alternatives for High School Graduates. Third Edition . Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press . 16 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012 - 13. Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections.

DID YOU

KNOW

THAT…?

Page | 2

The Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy

“An intensified program of study designed to accelerate the educational progress of the

high school senior who is seeking to explore an occupational/technical program of study

while completing his/her high school diploma requirements.”

Who is eligible? High School seniors, who are interested in An Associates of Applied Science at Blue Ridge

Community College, are academically strong and receive recommendation from their principal

and guidance counselor.

Who should apply to the Academy? - Students interested in getting a head start on their career/technical program of study.

- Rising seniors who need only a few credits for high school graduation.

- Students that are college ready and prepared to meet the challenges of college classes.

- Students interested in gaining 12 credits for the sole purpose of career and technical programs offered

at BRCC.

What does the program involve? The program allows selected high school students to be concurrently enrolled in high school and

Blue Ridge Community College during their senior year. The college classes may be used to

fulfill appropriate high school graduation requirements and academy students can expect to have

12 college credits upon graduation from high school. Participants take two courses each

semester. One of these courses comes from an approved Career Pathways program, and the other

course is selected from the academic core. Blue Ridge Community College will offer financial

support for instructional fees based on availability of funds; the costs of textbooks will be the

responsibility of the student/parent.

Where? As an Academy Student, you are enrolled at Blue Ridge Community College and subject to the

College’s policies, procedures, and calendar. You have full access to the College’s services and

facilities.

When? The Blue Ridge Academy will begin accepting applications from juniors in January 2018 for the

2018-2019 school year. The Career Pathways Consortium Committee will review the

applications and students selected will be notified by the end of February 2018.

Why? Many students begin college without a career plan or knowledge of job market needs. The

Academy allows students to gain college and high school credit while learning more about the

many career opportunities available through an Applied Science degree.

Page | 3

Blue Ridge Community College

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE Accounting Administration of Justice Corrections Specialization Law Enforcement Specialization

Aviation Maintenance Technology Business Management

Administrative Assistant & Business Specialist

Computer & Electronics Technology Computer Network Technology

Human Services Information Systems Technology

Information Technology for Business Mechanical Design Technology Nursing (Restricted) LPN Upgrade (Restricted) Traditional (Restricted) Technical Studies-Mechatronics

Veterinary Technology (Restricted) DIPLOMA Automotive Analysis & Repair CERTIFICATE Airframe Maintenance Health Sciences Funeral Services (Partnership) Powerplant Maintenance Respiratory Therapy (Partnership)

CAREER STUDIES CERTIFICATE Administrative Assistant

Aging in Place Specialist Alternative Energy American Sign Language

Applications in Corrections Applications in Law Enforcement Art: Intro to Two-Dimensional Art Art: Intro to Three-Dimensional Art

Basic Office Skills Commercial Driving Commercial Driving Enhanced Commercial Pilot Computer Aided Drafting Computer Help Desk Computer Network Technology Cyber Security

Electrical Fundamentals Fundamentals of Business

Graphic Design High Tech Crime Investigation Information Technology

Leadership & Supervision Light Sport Aircraft/Mechanic

Mechanical Maintenance Technology Mechatronics I Mechatronics II Mechatronics III Mechatronics IV

Medical Coding- Hospital Veterinary Assisting

Web Design & Development

Page | 4

Application Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy Career/Technical Plan of Study

(Admission Packets Due on February 9, 2018)

Student’s full name_______________________________________________________

Current School ___________________________ School Division__________________

1. Please indicate which Career Pathways Program of Study in which you are interested: (see Programs of Study on page 3) ____________________________________________________________________

2. Please provide a detailed one page summary of why you are interested in the program you selected and why you would be successful in this program of study. Please attach your one page summary to your application.

(This one page summary is part of the selection process for the academy, please be very thorough in your description)

(Please circle all that apply) Available for courses at BRCC: Morning Afternoon Evening

I understand that enrollment in the Academy means that I am a college student enrolled in two courses a semester at Blue Ridge Community College, subject to the College’s policies, procedures and calendar.

Student Signature: ___________________________ Date: ________________________

In my opinion, this student is: 1. Academically prepared for college level work. Yes Not at this time Explain: ________________________________________________________________ 2. Capable of assuming responsibility as a college student (to include keeping up with multiple assignments, asking for assistance from BRCC faculty and staff, and attending class regularly). Yes Not at this time Explain: ________________________________________________________________ 3. The student has permission to take BRCC classes approved by the Academy.

Yes No

Counselor’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _______

Principal’s Signature: ________________________________________ Date: _______

I give permission for my child to attend the Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy of Technical Studies, with full understanding that my child will be concurrently enrolled as a student at Blue Ridge Community College: subject to the policies, procedures and calendar of the College. I further understand that no employee of Blue Ridge Community College is allowed to discuss my child’s academic performance or progress without written permission from my child.

Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________ Date: _________________

Page | 5

Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy Applicant Checklist

The Blue Ridge Career Pathways Consortium is pleased you are interested in the Career Pathways Academy. We look forward to reviewing your application and will notify you of our selection by the end of February. If you have any questions please contact us at 540-453-2582. The following are eligibility guidelines and instructions for completing the admissions packet, which is due in the Career Pathways office at BRCC (Weyers Cave Campus, room G208 in the Houff Student Center) by February 9, 2018.

Checklist

Completed Academy application, which includes _____ Recommendation by your principal and guidance counselor _____ Application signed permission from your parent or guardian. _____One page explanation on why you are applying to the academy, and why do you think you would be successful.

Completed BRCC admissions file, which includes: ____BRCC application online at https://apply.vccs.edu/oa/launch.action which you will be assigned a EMPL ID # in which you will need to present for the VPT Testing.

___Appropriate scores on the Blue Ridge Community College VPT (Virginia

Preparedness Test) or have qualifying exemption scores. Please see your High

School Guidance or call the Office Enrollment Services for more information on

these exemptions. 540-453-2582

___Your official high school transcript (Your guidance counselor will take care of

this at your request. Make this request as soon as possible)

Please send your Career Pathways Academy application packet, Blue Ridge Community College application, and an official high school transcript to:

Velma Bryant – Director of Enrollment Services

Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy Blue Ridge Community College

Box 80 Weyers Cave, VA 24486

**ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE February 9, 2018!**

Page | 6

THE PURPOSE OF PREPAREDNESS TESTING The College expects all students to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. High school students are not allowed to register for developmental courses. EXCEPTIONS TO TESTING POLICY

Testing is NOT required of students who can submit: SAT: Scores 460+ in

Reading & Writing; 510+ in Math. SAT tests taken prior to March 2016 must

have a score of 500+ in Writing; 500+ in Reading.

ACT: Scores 15+ in English & Reading; 19+ in Math

Math Placement Testing is also required of all students intending to enroll in MTH 166, MTH 173, or MTH 270, regardless of SAT or ACT scores.

CONTENT OF THE COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS TESTS All placement tests are adaptive, computerized, untimed tests. Allow at least 2 - 2 ½ hours to complete each test. Students are strongly encouraged to take each of the placement tests during separate testing sessions to prevent “test fatigue”. Test scores are valid for two years. You will receive a printed report of your scores at the conclusion of the test. We strongly recommend that you review high school level Algebra I and II, algebraic applications and equations, decimals and fractions. For sample questions in math and English, go to the following websites for practice: It is highly recommended that you complete the sample questions prior to taking the College Preparedness Test. http://www.brcc.edu/services/testingcenter/vpt-math/ or http://www.brcc.edu/services/testingcenter/vpt-english/ http://www.brcc.edu/services/testingcenter/cpt-esl/ Please contact the Testing Center to ensure the hours of operation at 540-453-2250. The preparedness test is an important part of your application to the Academy. The preparedness test is given in F Building Room 110. It is a good idea to allow at least two hours to complete the entire test. You MUST bring a photo ID, EMPL ID # and BRCC email address with you on the day of your test which you will receive once you have applied online to BRCC. Calculators and other aides are provided. If you have a disability or temporary disabling condition that will prevent you from taking the test under standard conditions, contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at extension 2252. To participate in the Career Pathways Academy, you MUST successfully complete placement testing by February 9, 2018 and a copy of your placement test scores must be submitted along with your application to the Career Pathways Academy or provide documentation from the above listed chart.

Page | 7

Blue Ridge Career Pathways Academy Placement Test Participation Form

This form must be presented to the Testing Center Staff prior to testing!

Student’s full name________________________________________________________ Current School ___________________________ School Division__________________

CONTENT OF THE TESTS The College Preparedness test consists of sections that cover Reading Comprehension, Sentence Skills, and Math. The test is computerized: however, no computer or typing experience is necessary. We strongly recommend that you review high school level Algebra I and II, algebraic applications and equations, decimals and fractions. It is highly recommended that you complete the sample questions prior to taking the College Preparedness Test. The tests are given on a walk-in basis, during the regularly scheduled semester. The Placement Test is an important part of your application to the Academy. The preparedness test is given in the F Building Room 110. It is a good idea to allow at least two hours to complete the entire test. You MUST bring a photo ID, EMPLID# and BRCC email address with you on the day of your test. Calculators and other aides are provided. If you have a disability or temporary disabling condition that will prevent you from taking the test under standard conditions, contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at extension 2252. To participate in the Career Pathways Academy, you MUST successfully complete placement testing by February 9, 2018 and a copy of the Placement Test scores must be submitted along with your application to the Career Pathways Academy.

Blue Ridge Career Pathways Consortium Velma Bryant – Director of Enrollment Services

Weyers Cave, VA 24486 540-453-2582

bryantv@brcc.edu