Specialty Programs

To apply to the Specialty Programs, please complete the online application on the Advanced Academics and Specialty Program. The application opens November 1, 2023.  The application deadline is February 1, 2024.  

  Information MeetingsNovember 15, 2023 at 7:00pm at Gar-Field High School - Library 

and  

January 9, 2024 at 7:00pm via Zoom: CLICK HERE TO ACCESS LINK

Application Deadline February 1, 2024

 

Specialty Program Brochure - click to open the brochure

 

Message from the Principal

At Gar-Field HS, we are passionate about making sure each of our students graduate college, career or trade ready. No matter your passions or interests, we have programs to serve all of your students. I invite you to come to our school-specific information nights, visit our school website, and ask questions about building a 4-year plan that is in line with your goals and visions of your future.

 

Mr. Matthew Mathison, Principal GFHS

Law and Public Safety

The Law and Public Safety Program (LPSP) of study focuses on methods used by public safety leaders to protect a democratic society. The Law and Public Safety Program at Gar-Field HS offers two distinct pathways—Criminal Justice or Military Science (MCJROTC).

The Criminal Justice program is designed for students who are considering a career in criminal justice and/or want to learn more about the criminal justice system from a law enforcement perspective. Students will apply knowledge with courts, corrections, and law enforcement through practical scenarios involving up-to-date trends in public safety. The course prepares students to understand the knowledge of the three major components of the criminal justice system with the police, courts, and corrections while also gaining a working knowledge of the potential careers in these fields.

Criminal Justice Pathway
Lead Instructor: Jamel Perkins, PerkinsJE1@pwcs.edu
Military Science Pathway
Lead Marine Instructor: LtCol E.W. Kelly, Sr. USMC (Ret), KellyEe@pwcs.edu

Military Science—Marine Corps JROTC

The Marine Corps Junior ROTC program prepares “high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities, and privileges as American citizens.” The MCJROTC program produces successful students and productive adults while fostering a constructive and disciplined learning environment.

Areas of study include:

  • Leadership
  • Citizenship
  • Personal Growth and Responsibility
  • Public Service
  • Career Development
  • General Military Subjects

The GFHS MCJROTC Program has a long history of service and community involvement. Cadets have opportunities to participate in many MCJROTC extracurriculars, after-school, and summer programs.

Lead Marine Instructor: LtCol E.W. Kelly, Sr. USMC (Ret), KellyE@pwcs.edu

Computer Science

The most important essential life skill taught in computer science is problem-solving. Students study the design, development, and analysis of software and hardware to solve problems in a variety of business, scientific, and social contexts. Because computers solve problems to serve people, there is a significant human side to the GFHS Computer Science Program, which offers a 4-year pathway:

9th—Advanced Computer Math (Intro to JAVA)

10th--Advanced Placement Computer Science A

11th—IBDP SL Computer Science

12th—IBDP HL Computer Science

Note: This is not a transfer program, but transfer students can apply to the IB Program at GFHS and indicate they want to participate in our Computer Science Program.

Lead Instructor: Larry Baker, BakerLG@pwcs.edu

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs at Gar-Field High School offer students rigorous academic programs focused on international-mindedness and global connections.

While various levels of student participation are available, the IB Diploma Program (DP) centers around the full IB Diploma where students complete internal and external exams in six subject areas; complete a creativity, activity, and service portfolio, write a 4000-word extended essay; and complete a seminar course entitled Theory of Knowledge.

In addition to the IB DP, we offer the IB Career-related Program (CP). The IB CP centers around a certificate where students complete a service learning portfolio, complete a language development portfolio, write a reflective project, complete an approved career-related sequence of courses, and complete a seminar course entitled Personal and Professional Skills.

Participation in the programs range from student earning individual certificates in subjects of strength and interest to the full IB Diploma or the Career-related certificate. Juniors and seniors enroll in the IB DP courses that are externally moderated and assessed by the IBO.

Freshmen and sophomores participate in the IB Middle Years Program (IB MYP), a framework for instruction in all academic areas that provides opportunities for Advanced courses in preparation for the IB Diploma and Career-related Programs. Participation in the MYP ranges from students taking courses and subjects of strength and interest to taking the full range of  Adv MYP courses in preparation for the full IB Diploma or the Career-related certificate studies.

Admin. Coordinator of International Baccalaureate: Brian Bassett, BassetBM@pwcs.edu

Plumbing

Plumbing students learn marketable, job-specific skills and workplace readiness skills to help them succeed in the plumbing industry. Safety and equipment care is emphasized while students learn to install and repair pipes and plumbing fixtures according to construction drawings and specifications. Students completing the two-year plumbing sequence have the opportunity to demonstrate workplace readiness skills and earn a professional certification through industry assessment. Students may choose to enter the job market directly or continue their studies via a college program, technical school, or apprenticeship program.

The four-year program of study includes:

  • Introduction to Engineering and Design (PLTW)
  • Construction Technology
  • Plumbing I
  • Plumbing II

Note: Applications for this program are open for rising 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students.

Lead Instruction: Master Plumber Michael Carter, CarterMA1@pwcs.edu

Culinary Arts

The Culinary Program prepares students to practice the managerial, production, and service skills used in food establishments and related food industry occupations. Students begin to prepare for occupations in the food service industry such as chef/cook, baker/pastry chef, and hospitality worker.

Throughout the program, students have the opportunity to plan, select, store, purchase, prepare and serve food and food products; study basic nutrition, sanitation, and food safety; learn to use and care of commercial equipment; and practice the operation of institutional food establishments. Students also have an opportunity to practice serving and dining room management including real-world experiences working cooperatively with various community food establishments and local business owners.

This two-year program of study begins in 11th grade and included:

Culinary Arts I

Culinary Arts II

(Nutrition and Wellness and Introduction to Culinary Arts)

Note: Applications for this program are open to rising 11th and 12th grade students as a transport program. Students are eligible to transfer for this program in grade 9 if they apply for the IB Program with the intention of using Culinary Arts as their career-related study for the IB Career-related Program.

Lead Instructor: Teresa Fernan, FernanTS@pwcs.edu

Environmental Engineering

Environmental engineering focuses on protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, as well as improving environmental quality. Environmental engineers can assess the impact of engineering projects on air, water, soil, and noise levels; plan and design equipment and processes for safe treatment and disposal of waste material; and assess what may cause long-term problems for the environment. They also use engineering principals to solve environmental problems. Gar-Field’s Environmental Engineering has two pathways depending on student strengths and interests; both include the Personal and Professional Skills course in 12th grade.

Important Dates

November 1, 2023
PWCS Application Portal Opens

 November 15, 2023
GFHS Special Programs Info Session
7:00 PM in the GFHS Library

 January 9, 2024
GFHS Special Programs Virtual Info Session
7:00 PM via Zoom

 February 1, 2024
PWCS Application Deadline

 Mid-Late February 2024
Program Decisions Released

 March 5, 2024
Families must declare their intent to participate in the accepted Specialty Program

 

gfhs_special_programs_info_dates_2324_.jpg

 

GFHS Special Programs 
Information Meetings and Application Dates

 

T U E SD A Y, O C T O B E R 1 0, 2023 at 6:30 PM on Zoom

 PWCS HIGH SCHOOL SPECIALTY PROGRAMS GENERAL INFORMATION SESSION

Provides an overview of high school Specialty Programs in Prince William County and explains the application process, deadlines, and available supports.

 

W E D N E SD A Y, N O V E M B E R 1, 2023

 APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS

 

W E D N E SD A Y, N O V E M B E R 1 5, 2023 at 7:00 PM @ GFHS

 GAR-FIELD HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL PROGRAMS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Come learn about the special learning opportunities available at Gar-Field High School through transfer, transport, and in house programs: International Baccalaureate, Law & Public Safety, Environmental Engineering, Plumbing, Military Science (Marine Corps JROTC) *, Computer Science*, Culinary Arts.

 *Only available to base-school students and students on transfer for another program.

 

T H U R SD A Y, N O V E M B E R 1 6, 2023 at 1 1:00 AM on Zoom

 PWCS HIGH SCHOOL SPECIALTY PROGRAMS GENERAL INFORMATION SESSION

Provides an overview of high school Specialty Programs in Prince William County and explains the application process, deadlines, and available supports.

 

T U E SD A Y, J A N U A R Y 9, 2024 7:00 PM on  Zoom

 GAR-FIELD HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL PROGRAMS INFORMATION SESSIONS

Join us virtually to learn about the special learning opportunities available at Gar-Field High School through transfer, transport, and in house programs: International Baccalaureate, Law & Public Safety, Environmental Engineering, Plumbing, Military Science (Marine Corps JROTC) *, Computer Science*, Culinary Arts.

 *Only available to base-school students and students on transfer for another program.

 

T H U R SD A Y, F E B R U A R Y 1, 2024

 APPLICATION PORTAL CLOSES (TRANSFER & TRANSPORT)

 

M I D -- L A T E F E B R U A R Y 2024

 PROGRAM DECISIONS RELEASED

 

T U E SD A Y, M A R C H 5, 2024

 PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE IS DUE