Teaching at Newport News Public Schools

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Numerous supports are given to all newly hired teachers at Newport News Public Schools. The process begins in the summer before the teacher enters the classroom and will continue throughout his/her teaching career with NNPS. The supports offered include, but are not limited to:

• New Teacher Welcome Centers. New teachers have the opportunity to meet with curriculum specialists in a small group setting to learn about the culture and expectations at Newport News Public Schools. Teachers are introduced to instructional technology, curriculum and the NNPS learning environment.

• Summer Learning Academy. New teachers are able to participate in professional development and training over the summer months, with many options geared towards the new teacher: The First 20 Days of School, Youth Development, Setting up for Success, Building Positive Classroom Culture, and more. New teachers also have the opportunity to participate in staff development with returning teachers.

• Mentor Teachers. All novice teachers receive a trained mentor teacher to work with during the first year of teaching. The mentor teacher regularly meets with the teacher to provide support, ensuring the new teacher's success.

• Teacher Coaches. In order to help model effective teacher delivery, teacher coaches are available at the district level.

• Model Teachers. New teachers can observe designated model teachers, who are passionate about their craft and ensure that all students learn at the highest levels. Teachers could setup an appointment online to spend time with any of the model teachers.

• New Teacher Welcome Week. New teachers begin a week before returning teachers, and during this week they are welcomed at their school, receive staff development, and receive extra time to setup their classroom. New teachers also receive a day of training with Human Resources to learn about benefits, licensure and retirement; and the Curriculum Department to learn more about instruction and curriculum in NNPS.

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Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) educates over 29,000 students in five early childhood centers, 24 elementary schools, seven middle schools, five high schools, one middle/high combination school and nine program sites.

NNPS offers an array of magnet and specialty programs at all grade levels. Elementary school students may apply to the communications arts magnet; the Discovery STEM Academy; the environmental science magnet; the global studies magnet; or the math, science and technology magnet school. In middle school, students may apply to attend the arts and communications magnet; the science, technology, engineering and math magnet; or the marine science/pre-Advanced Placement magnet program. High school students may apply to study at the Aviation Academy magnet, the arts and communications magnet, the Governor's Health Sciences Academy, the Governor's STEM Academy, the International Baccalaureate Program or the University magnet program.

With a new early learning curriculum designed to boost literacy and math instruction, state-of-the-art science labs and advanced educational technology, NNPS has the tools to ensure student and teacher success.

Academics: All students in NNPS receive instruction in the four core areas of English, mathematics, science and history/social science, and classes are offered in technology, fine arts, world language, career and technical education, health and physical education.

The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools describe the state's expectations for student learning and achievement. The standards outline what educators should teach and what students should learn at each grade level. All schools teach students these standards.

NNPS also provides a program of study that builds the skills, knowledge and expertise students need to ensure future success. The school district's college, career and citizen-ready skills are incorporated in each subject. These skills are developed around three themes: information and communication skills, learning and thinking skills, and life and career skills.

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Newport News Public Schools has developed a comprehensive STEM initiative that prepares students to take full advantage of STEM-related opportunities in higher education and career fields. Building a STEM network of schools and partnering with key businesses on the Peninsula, NNPS students now have access to STEM focused schools across the community:

• Deer Park Elementary School: Environmental Sciences Magnet
• Magruder Elementary Discovery STEM Academy
• Newsome Park Elementary School: Math, Science & Technology Magnet
• Crittenden Middle School: STEM Magnet
• Booker T. Washington Middle School: Marine Sciences Magnet
• Denbigh High School: Aviation Academy
• Governor's Academy for Innovation, Technology & Engineering (New Horizons)
• Heritage High School: Governor's STEM Academy
• Warwick High School: Governor's Health Sciences Academy

Additionally, every other school features an array of STEM programs and activities. For example, a new STEM curriculum has been developed for all elementary schools. And through the recent modernization of school science labs, summer STEM camps, science and engineering fairs and other specialized programs, NNPS has built a comprehensive STEM culture in our school division and community.

These opportunities have been integrated with the NNPS Career Pathways program to prepare students for STEM careers. Working with the many STEM-related businesses in the area, students are gaining the workplace skills needed to take advantage of the high concentration of STEM-related careers in this region. Area businesses and the civic community are strong supporters and partners in the NNPS STEM program and provide resources and expertise to our students that provide the relevant, hands-on experiences leading to successful education and career paths.

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  College-Ready

• Advanced Placement Courses. The school division offers more Advanced Placement (AP) courses than any other school district or private school on the Peninsula. AP courses are open to all; students with qualifying grades may earn college credit.

• Dual-Enrollment. High school juniors and seniors have the option of earning college credit and high school credit concurrently through dual-enrollment courses at Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) and Norfolk State University.

• Early College. Seniors may earn up to 19 semester hours of college credit prior to high school graduation in this unique partnership with Thomas Nelson Community College. During their senior year, students complete their high school course work during the first semester and attend TNCC during the second semester.

  Career-Ready

• Career Pathways. Across the district, elementary and middle school students focus on career awareness and exploration, while high school students are exposed to career options through internships, job shadowing and hands-on training.

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education (STEM). With new technologies and renovated science labs, students at all levels are engaged in hands-on and minds-on activities that prepare them for further education and rewarding career possibilities in STEM. NNPS has STEM magnet schools at all levels.

• Industry Certifications. Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are designed around industry standards. CTE courses prepare students to earn more than a dozen industry certifications, accelerating student access to technical, high-wage, high-skilled careers.

• Early Career. High school seniors can jump start their careers before graduation in this partnership program. During the first semester of their senior year, students complete their high school coursework and take special training courses. During the second semester, students begin working full time with a local business or industry partner.

  Citizen-Ready

• Youth Development. Through school leadership academies and participation in clubs and organizations, students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, volunteerism and citizenship.

• Service Learning. Service to others is introduced, taught and practiced as part of the elementary curriculum. Middle and high school students provide a wealth of services to the community by contributing their time and talents to service projects and volunteer efforts.

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