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RICHMOND, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin recognized two lab schools yesterday, the Isle Maritime Trades Academy (IMTA) and the Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy (MEESA), for their work in advancing the Commonwealth's maritime industry workforce. Industry and education leaders joined the Governor in celebrating the latest two examples of innovation opportunity, highlighting Virginia's education and career pipeline and support of in-demand, high-wage careers.
"Three and a half years ago, Virginia had zero lab schools. Today that number is now 15 schools serving 3,600 students across the Commonwealth-from Winchester to Wallops Island and from Southwest Virginia to Hampton Roads," said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "Injecting innovation and expanding options for exploration, exposure, and experience in some of Virginia's fastest-growing sectors unleashes tremendous opportunity. Thanks to strong partnerships between the private sector, localities and Virginia's higher education community, students across the Commonwealth can pursue the hands-on skills needed for careers in maritime, health care, coding, data science, aerospace, or rural education."
"The Isle Maritime Trades Academy and the Maritime Engineering and Environmental Sciences Lab School perfectly embody Virginia's commitment to the 3Es-Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment. These programs provide students with unparalleled hands-on education and real-world skills that lead directly to high-demand jobs and meaningful careers," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson. "The maritime welding pathway at the Isle Maritime Trades Academy offers a unique opportunity for public school students to master a highly specialized trade that supports our naval forces and national security. These lab schools are both vital in preparing the next generation of skilled workers and dedicated servicemembers, strengthening both our economy and our defense."
"The Commonwealth's fifteen lab schools illustrate what's possible when we give Virginians the chance to dream big," said Secretary of Education Aimee R. Guidera. "Communities are building the schools they need and want; places where teachers want to teach, parents want to send their children, and students want to learn. This is what happens when we collaborate, when we break the one-size-fits-all mold, and open doors to opportunity."
Since the launch of the Governor's lab school initiative over three years ago, the Commonwealth has established a robust state-spanning lab school ecosystem, serving thousands of students in a range of fields, from healthcare to aerospace, to maritime trades and STEM. These schools advance innovative education programming in Virginia, and foster collaboration between a similarly wide range of partners in Virginia's public education system, both K-12 and in institutions of higher education, in partnership with various industries within the state.
"Yesterday's event highlights the power of collaboration between education and industry to create new opportunities for students," said Dr. Karen Sanzo, Executive Director of Old Dominion University's Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity (ODU-CEIO). "ODU is proud to be part of this transformative effort, and we commend our colleagues at the Isle Maritime Trades Academy and Camp Community College for their work in bringing hands-on learning and career training to high school students interested in shipbuilding, marine welding, and beyond."
And the 15 lab schools are just the beginning of this work. Two centers of innovation ensure that we learn from these innovative schools, support and sustain them, and are able to replicate them elsewhere in the state. Old Dominion University's Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity (ODU-CEIO) oversees a nine-school network of lab schools partnered with ODU. The Virginia Department of Education has worked alongside Governor Youngkin to create the Office of Innovation, announced in May 2022. This office under Superintendent Gullickson's leadership now is the Department's go-to-office for systems-change initiatives and innovation, from public school models and virtual learning to seat time flexibility and Artificial Intelligence in K-12 classrooms, led by Executive Director Calypso Gilstrap and Director of Innovative Models and Policy Sofia McDaniel. Within both centers of innovation, Virginia builds learning communities that will continue to produce lab schools, flexible public models, and industry-aligned student pathways across the state.
Today, 3,600 students attend lab schools in the Commonwealth. Over the next two years, this number will rise to over 5,000 students. The Youngkin Administration and Department have partnered with over 60 school divisions across all 15 lab schools to raise the floor and remove the ceiling for Virginia students, in communities across the state.
The first lab school opened by the Youngkin Administration, VCU x CodeRVA in January 2024, received a 3-year operational grant from the state to power startup funding and operating funds. Each of the next 14 lab schools received a 4-year operational grant to support their launch and future success, totaling $75 million in support and sustainability efforts.
"Lab schools are free, locally-led and governed public schools, open by lottery, to any student in Virginia," said Joan Wodiska, Chair of the College Partnership Laboratory Schools Standing Committee. "We are grateful to the superintendents, school board members, teachers, maritime, military, business and higher education leaders, who came together with an innovative plan to educate students for high-wage, high-demand jobs essential to Virginia's economy. Public lab schools are blending K-12 and college, to offer Virginia students a pathway to earn free college credit, an associate's degree, or workplace credentials."
Lab schools allow students to fully immerse themselves in hands-on, project-based experiential learning that prepares students for success in life and for success in their chosen path, no matter where that path may lead: toward enrollment, employment, or enlistment. Because of the concerted efforts of the Youngkin Administration, innovation and opportunity have been unleashed throughout the K-12 and higher education landscape in partnership with industry across the Commonwealth.
The Isle Maritime Trades Academy is the result of a partnership between the Isle of Wight Public Schools, Paul D. Camp Community College, Huntington Ingalls Newport News Ship Building, and serves 11th and 12th grade students with dual enrollment courses in electrical and mechanical maritime engineering. Graduates leave the academy with a high school diploma and an Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies degree, armed with the skills needed to enter the high-demand maritime industry.
The Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy is a collaboration between Old Dominion University, Newport News Public Schools, Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding, and the Hampton Roads Maritime Training System. Curriculum focuses on maritime engineering, environmental studies, and sustainable logistics. MEESA opened its doors this fall with a cohort of 50 students. The student body will increase to 100 students in the following years. During their time at MEESA, students in the 11th and 12th grades will participate in mentoring programs with private sector partners and workplace visits in the maritime industry.
For more information about lab schools across the Commonwealth, visit the Virginia Department of Education's Lab School Overview, and map of the school locations across the state.
To learn more about Old Dominion University's Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity, find their 2025 Impact Report.
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