High School
Core Curriculum
Our school provides an academically rigorous and innovative curriculum with personalized student learning environments that result in college, career, and community ready students. We have high standards and expectations for all students.
- Students are challenged to learn in a collaborative environment.
- Students demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills and strategies.
- Students leverage technologies to enhance learning in meaningful ways
- Students are expected to demonstrate academic proficiency or excellence through projects and portfolios as well as state (SOL) and national (ACT, SAT) assessments
Mastery Learning
Our philosophy recognizes that time must be the variable if learning is to be a constant. Students are encouraged to view learning as a continuum. As Standards of Learning in any subject are mastered, a student should have the opportunity to advance. Learning is said to be incomplete when a student has not demonstrated mastery of course content and requirements.
The student and teacher work together in a variety of ways to help the student achieve mastery. Students with a high interest or ability in a particular subject will be encouraged to extend their learning through the completion of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) credits, independent projects, or alternative assignment proposals. Students who chose not to work towards mastery are violating one of their core commitments to attend our school. This is a separate issue and will be handled as such.
Sample Program of Studies
English
- English 9
- English 10
- English 11
- English 12
- IB Language and Literature
Mathematics
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebra Functions, and Data Analysis (AFDA)
- Algebra II
- Algebra II/Trigonometry
- Math Analysis
- Calculus
- IB Math: Applications and Interpretations
Social Studies
- World History II from 1500 to Present
- World Geography
- AP Art History
- Virginia and U.S. History
- Virginia and U.S. Government
- IB History
World Languages
- Spanish I-IV
- IB Spanish
- IB Spanish Ab Initio (22-23)
Science
- Earth Science
- Biology
- Physics
- IB Environmental Systems and Societies
- IB Biology
Health, Physical Education, Driver's Education
- Physical Education I-II (.5 credit each)
- Health Education I (.5 credit)
- Health Education II (.5 credit)
- Advanced PE/Elective (offered based on student interests and needs)
- Part I Classroom
- Part II Behind-the-Wheel
Special Education Programs
- Consultation/Monitor (Non-Credit)
- Study/Organizational Skills (1 credit)
Additional Offerings and Opportunities
- Extended Learning Period (ELP)
- Self-Directed Learning (SDL)
- Community-Based Learning (Internship) Program
- Center 1: ICT Academy (Grades 10-12)
- CATEC (Grades 11-12)
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Virtual Courses
Creative Arts & Design Electives
- Visit the Creative Arts and Design Page for details and full course list.
College Acceptances Since 2017 (Partial List)
- University of Alabama
- Baldwin Wallace University
- Ball State University
- Christopher Newport University
- Coastal Carolina University
- East Carolina University
- Emerson College
- George Mason University
- Indiana University
- James Madison University
- Mary Baldwin University
- Muhlenberg College
- New England Conservatory of Music
- Ohio University
- Old Dominion University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Roanoke College
- San Francisco State University
- Sweet Briar College
- Temple University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- University of Virginia
- West Virginia University
Virginia Standards of Learning Test (SOL) Results
Community Lab School outperformed the Division and State overall on the 2018-19 Virginia SOL standardized tests. Scroll through the slides below for those data compared over a three year trend.
A Unique Approach to Course Sequencing
Sample Community Lab School Curriculum with IB Diploma
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| US/VA History | Government | IB History (HL) | IB History (HL) |
| English 9 | English 10 | IB English (HL) | IB English (HL) |
| Spanish 1 | Spanish 2/3 | IB Spanish (SL) | IB Spanish (SL) |
| Algebra 1 or Geometry | Algebra 2 | IB Math (SL) | IB Math (SL) |
| Earth Science | Physics or Ecology | IB Biology (HL) | IB Biology (HL) |
| Contemp Media & Art or Art 1 | Art 2 | IB Visual Arts (HL) | IB Visual Arts (HL) |
| Freshman Seminar | AP Art History or ELP | ELP+Theory of Knowledge | ELP+Theory of Knowledge |
| Health/PE | Health/PE | Econ/Personal Finance | Elective or ELP |
Note: To ensure equity of access, Community Lab School will develop specialized summer, virtual, hybrid or other alternative/individualized opportunities for prerequisites or academic support so any student who chooses to pursue the IB program will have the option to do so, and do so successfully. Students who are considering entering the lottery for 11th grade entry to CLS for IB should contact their counselor as soon as possible for 9/10th grade scheduling considerations. Students pursuing an IB Arts Elective other IB Visual Arts may will have Elective or ELP option in 11th grade as all others IB Arts course are SL (1-year).
Sample CLS Curriculum with IB Certificate (One or More IB courses but not full Diploma)
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Geography | Government | US/VA History | World History 2 |
| English 9 | English 10 | IB English 11 | IB English 12 |
| Spanish 1 | Spanish 2 | Spanish 3 | Elective |
| Algebra 1 or Geometry | Algebra 2 or Geometry | AFDA | Trigonometry |
| Earth Science | Physics or Ecology | Biology | Ecology |
| Contemp Media & Art or Art 1 | Art 2 | IB Visual Arts (HL) | IB Visual Arts (HL) |
| Freshman Seminar | AP Art History or ELP | ELP | ELP |
| Health/PE | Health/PE | Econ/Personal Finance | Elective or ELP |
Sample CLS Curriculum with no IB coursework
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Geography | Government | US/VA History | World History 2 |
| English 9 | English 10 | English 11 | English 12 |
| Spanish 1 | Spanish 2 | Spanish 3 | Spanish 4 or Elective |
| Algebra 1 | Algebra 2 | Geometry | Trigonometry |
| Earth Science | Physics | Biology | Ecology |
| Contemp Media & Art | Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Freshman Seminar | Elective or ELP | Elective or ELP | Elective or ELP |
| Health/PE | Health/PE | Econ/Personal Finance | Elective or ELP |
For questions regarding SCHEDULING, please contact Dr. Ouida Powe.
For questions regarding HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS, please contact Ms. Kristen Wilson