Current research shows that today’s college-bound students are more stressed than ever before, feeling that they may be, as was claimed in the award-winning documentary film by the same name, in a ‘race to nowhere’. This was the inspiration behind the HRA REACH Initiative (
Real-world
Experience &
Academic
CHoice).
We believe that the academic experience should be tied to relevant real-world experiences whenever possible. The twenty-first century economy requires the ability to think creatively, to collaborate, and to communicate effectively, all skills that begin in the classroom but that are enhanced and made more relevant by exploration outside the school’s walls. These experiences might take the form of summer internships, mentorships, part-time jobs, leadership opportunities, or more.
Working in a professional setting provides high school students invaluable opportunities to see the relevance and real-world applications of their classroom experiences, to develop and clarify a passion, and to practice workplace culture and etiquette. Hampton Roads Academy’s REACH Initiative connects students to these kinds of professional experiences as a way of facilitating for our students a richer, more textured understanding of, and appreciation for, the relationship between academic success and professional satisfaction and achievement.
HRA’s curricular program offers the breadth necessary for students to focus their classroom studies in a particular area. A component of the REACH Initiative, in addition to helping students connect with relevant experiences outside the classroom, is providing them the opportunity to delve deeply into a course of study about which they are passionate. Interested students may apply to pursue one of six focus areas that will be noted on their academic transcript upon graduation.