The Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning (SVCAL) is an organization that provides specialized learning opportunities to a variety of students and coordinates educational programs best implemented through regional partnerships serving Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro. These programs are listed below.
Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School (SVGS)
SVGS is one of 19 Academic Year Governor’s School sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. The school serves the public school systems of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro.. SVGS has programs and courses designed to meet the needs of gifted and highly motivated students. SVGS provides a unique environment in which individuals explore the interconnections between technology and (1) mathematics and sciences or (2) the arts and humanities.
Students may attend in one of several broad curriculum areas:
*Sciences (science, mathematics, technology, and engineering)
* Arts & Humanities (humanities, visual, and performing arts)
Valley Career and Technical Center (VCTC)
VCTC is one of 9 regional centers in Virginia. The school serves the public school systems of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro. VCTC provides high-quality technical education and career preparation to meet the needs of today’s high school students and adults through intensive training, apprenticeships, adult night classes, GED classes, dual-enrollment coursework, and work-based learning. High school students may enroll in programs in the following broad career areas: Agriculture, Hospitality, Mechanics and Transportation, Construction, Manufacturing, Health Sciences, Education, Human services, and Public Safety.
The Adult Education program, in conjunction with VCTC, provides affordable and valuable post-secondary technical training and life enhancing skills that promote productive and highly trained citizens in the current and future workforce for the Shenandoah Valley. Classes are offered at night during a Fall and Spring semester and are often developed in partnership with local businesses and industries to meet economic and workforce demands.
Apprenticeship is a state-affiliated training program offered in conjunction with employer sponsors and local educational agencies. The Adult Education program at VCTC provides apprenticeship-related instruction for the area encompassing Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Highland County. A number of area businesses and industries sponsor apprentices. Although many skilled and technical trades are apprenticeable, the two trades most heavily represented at the Center are industrial maintenance mechanic and machinist. The registering agency website for the Virginia Apprenticeship Program is www.doli.virginia.gov/apprenticeship/registered_apprenticeship.html . Locally, the Apprenticeship Representative is Faith Simmons. The office is located in Verona, Virginia and the telephone number is 540 248-9280. Following registration, apprentices are eligible to attend apprenticeship classes at VCTC.
The Staunton Augusta Adult Learning Center’s mission is to serve the needs of the community by providing lifelong learning opportunities, earn their high school equivalency, empowering students to learn English, or gain access to career training and certification, all with the support of a caring and capable group of adult education professionals in an environment that is supportive, healthy, and safe. Learning options include General Education Development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes, National External Diploma Program (NEDP),Citizenship Classes, and ACT National Career Readiness Certificate.
The Adult Practical Nursing program at VCTC has created a culture that embraces the functions of mentoring, role modeling and caring for each student holistically. This growth and development is essential for entry level LPN’s as they prepare to enter the ever-changing healthcare environment ready to meet the needs of and the challenges presented by individuals in their care. The program maintains the high standards of academic attainment and employment success through the interaction of a committed faculty and sincerely invested students. These high expectations are substantiated by 2020 #3 ranking by Nursing Schools Almanac Nursing Schools Almanac 2020 and #1 ranking (in Virginia) by Practical Nursing.org in 2016. Our program is Approved through the Virginia Board of Education and Virginia Board of Nursing.